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ASLA's Women in Landscape Architecture Professional Practice Network (WILA PPN) is happy to share our first trio of profiles of women in the profession. Friendly reminder: if you'd like to be featured, the PPN's call for submissions will remain open, with profiles being shared on an ongoing basis.
These profiles will appear on the PPN's LinkedIn group, Facebook group, and here on The Field. This post includes Carolina Jaimes, ASLA, Connie Scothorn, ASLA, and Emily Greenwood, ASLA. Stay tuned for more WILA profiles in the coming weeks as our celebration of women in landscape architecture continues.
Carolina Jaimes, ASLA
What inspired you to pursue a career in landscape architecture?
I am from Colombia, the land of magical realism and one of the most biodiverse places on earth, so I guess that’s the root of my awe and curiosity for the natural environment. I have a bachelor’s degree in architecture and practiced it for 10 years, always trying to have a more sustainable practice. During the economic crisis of 2008/2009 we were working very limited hours in architecture so I decided to pursue my master's at that point and that's when I found and fell in love with landscape architecture. It was the perfect balance, what I was missing!
Who are the female role models who have influenced your career?
Starting with my mom and sisters, each on their own paths, they have given me the confidence to pursue what I want with courage, discipline, and passion. I consider myself very lucky because also throughout my career I have always found amazing women willing to teach, guide, and support my path into the professions of architecture and landscape architecture. These women went from mentors to become dear life friends I can always go back to, like my dear friend and brilliant landscape architect Carolina Monteiro, ASLA.
What advice do you have for other women pursuing a career in landscape architecture?
My advice to women starting their career in landscape architecture would be: find what makes you happy—what sparks that fire in you—and dive right into it. Work hard, be rigorous, never stop learning, always be a student. Be kind (to others, but also to yourself!), support the people around you, especially women, use your voice and, above all, know your worth!
Can you share with us a project you are particularly proud of and why?
This one is close to home (literally) in Barranquilla, Colombia. For me it is very satisfying to work in my home country, bring my expertise there and contribute in a way to raise the standard and bring awareness of the importance (AND VALUE) of landscape architecture. This project's proposal is along the Magdalena River in a former industrial area turned into an amazing public space reconnecting with the most important river in the country. It was also a collaboration with my husband, who did the architecture.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I'd say:
- Keep up the hard work it does pay off.
- Don't be afraid to use your voice, you have a lot to say and people respect that.
- Don't limit yourself. Dream big, reach for the stars, and you'll get there.
Connie Scothorn, ASLA
What inspired you to pursue a career in landscape architecture?
It was an accident. I was offered a scholarship at Oklahoma State University if I would major in Horticulture for one semester. So, I did. The one class I had to take was an introduction to horticulture class, which was taught by J. Steve Ownby, FASLA. He inspired me. I couldn't think of another job that would be any better than this one—and I still can't. It is fun!
Who are the female role models who have influenced your career?
I worked with a woman named Barbara Kelly in my first job out of school. She was not a landscape architect, but she showed me how you could follow your passion and succeed. And enjoy your job, and be friends with your co-workers. And not put up with any stuff from your superiors, unless you deserved it.
What advice do you have for other women pursuing a career in landscape architecture?
Remember what a small world it is. Be nice to people even if you don't think they deserve it. You will probably meet them again some day, and they will remember you.
Follow your dreams.
Can you share with us a project you are particularly proud of and why?
Several years ago, we started using native plants in our designs. As we did, we learned about all of the benefits they bring to the landscape (help the pollinators, improve soils, lower water needs, lower maintenance and more). After joining a Nature Conservancy Leadership group, I was challenged to do something to make a difference. So, I and my business partner wrote a book, Oklahoma Native Plants. Besides helping others to learn about native plants, I learned so much more by writing the book. I then became even more involved in promoting them in the landscape. I like to think this has done more for improving the landscapes of Oklahoma than any plan that I have drawn.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Relax!
Emily Greenwood, ASLA
What inspired you to pursue a career in landscape architecture?
After a few false starts in my career, I discovered landscape architecture in a career test and realized that it was a culmination of my love of science and data, art and expression, and nature and plants.
Who are the female role models who have influenced your career?
Michelle Delk, FASLA, Susannah Drake, FASLA, Rebecca Leonard, ASLA, Gina Ford, FASLA, Cinda Gilliland, ASLA, Andi Cochran, FASLA, Ann Komara, Beatrix Farrand, Mikyoung Kim, FASLA, Maya Lin, Martha Schwartz, FASLA, Kate Orff, FASLA, Anita Berrizbeitia, ASLA, Diana Allen, FASLA, and so many more.
What advice do you have for other women pursuing a career in landscape architecture?
Stand your ground and speak up. The field is changing but still, women's voices are not as heard as they should be. You will be spoken over, your ideas will be swiped out from under you, and you will have to argue your validity, but do so. This is a fight worth fighting.
Can you share with us a project you are particularly proud of and why?
The projects that I am most proud of are the series of Learning Landscapes that I have designed and Green Schoolyards that I have mentored people in designing. These projects have a huge impact on communities both from social and environmental perspectives. I appreciate that the way we have approached these projects over the years has expanded and we now understand that we can design spaces to support mental health, neurodivergence, and differently-abled people.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Landscape architecture can be whatever you make it. In my first couple of years in grad school I was disappointed in the focus of many of the projects and it took me years to realize that my unique perspective would be embraced when I found my voice. There is too much hierarchy in the process of becoming a landscape architect and those barriers should be aggressively overcome.
Want to be featured in an upcoming post? Submit a WILA profile!
All throughout Women's History Month, ASLA will continue to celebrate #womeninlandscapearchitecture who are shaping our environment on social media.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3-rYhSrUPb/
2023 WILA Profiles:
Women in Landscape Architecture Profiles, Part 1- Alexandra Mei, ASLA
- Angelica Rockquemore, ASLA
- Sandy Meulners, ASLA
- SuLin Kotowicz, FASLA
- Shuangwen Yang, Associate ASLA
- Heidi Hohmann, ASLA
- Tristan Fields, ASLA
- Joni Hammons, ASLA
- Sahar Teymouri, ASLA