Parisian newspapers described Julia Morgan as a feminist when she broke down the barriers of entry to the architecture program of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1898. Whether she liked it or not, that sheroic act set the bar for the legacy of California native's life and career. It begs the question: what did feminism mean to Julia Morgan? Just as no two Morgan designs are alike, no single definition answers the question. Join historian and Morgan scholar Karen McNeill as she explores the pioneering architect's actions, buildings, and clients to understand variations of feminism during the Progressive Era. We'll travel all around the state, spending some extra time in Pasadena and Southern California.

Doors open at 6:00 PM, with the lecture beginning promptly at 6:15 PM. Please arrive early to enjoy a glass of wine and light refreshments before the program begins. Complimentary parking is available on the premises.

An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be present during the program. The lecture will also be recorded in ASL and made available following the event.

Karen McNeill, Ph.D.

is an expert of Julia Morgan’s life, work, and legacy. Her award-winning scholarship scholarship focuses on women and gender in the architectural profession as well as how Progressive Era women used the built environment to expand their roles in society as consumers, reformers, educators, and professionals. Dr. McNeill’s latest publications on Morgan can be found in Julia Morgan: The Road to San Simeon (Rizzoli/Electa) and Oxford Bibliographies. After building a distinguished career in historic preservation and wealth management, Karen launched Verdandi & Associates, a consulting firm dedicated to the transformative power of history in aligning purpose and values with financial decisions, fostering personal and collective thriving, and supporting family cohesion. Karen is also the Dean of Family History, Storytelling, and Culture for the Purposeful Planning Institute.