Helen Davis: Difference between revisions
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'''Helen Sellers Davis''' (born [[April 20]], [[1912]] in Mobile; died [[April 10]], [[2008]] in [[Birmingham]]) was the first licensed female architect in Alabama. | '''Helen Sellers Davis''' (born [[April 20]], [[1912]] in Mobile; died [[April 10]], [[2008]] in [[Birmingham]]) was the first licensed female architect in Alabama. | ||
Davis was born in Mobile but grew up in Anniston, where her father had a medical practice. She was drawn to construction sites as a child to marvel at the process of building and always planned to become an architect. She graduated from Ward-Belmont School in Nashville, Tennessee and went on to enroll in the School of Architecture at [[Auburn University|Alabama Polytechnic Institute]]. | |||
While a student she married one of her instructors, [[Charles F. Davis, Jr]]. After graduating in [[1935]] they both joined the Birmingham firm of [[Miller, Martin and Lewis, Architects]] (she was paid $18 per week). She | While a student she married one of her instructors, [[Charles F. Davis, Jr]]. After graduating in [[1935]] they both joined the Birmingham firm of [[Miller, Martin and Lewis, Architects]] (she was paid $18 per week). She completed her registration from the [[Alabama Board of Architects]] on [[July 7]], [[1936]]. They worked there for three years and then moved to the firm of [[Davis Architects|Van Keuren, Davis & Company]] (now known as [[Davis Architects]]), where he became a partner. In the 1960s she left the firm to open her own practice. | ||
Davis | Davis was a deacon and elder at [[South Highland Presbyterian Church]] and taught the "Wannabees" Sunday School class for 10 years. When she died in [[2008]] she was survived by a brother and sister, two sons ([[Charles F. Davis III|Charles III]] and [[Neil Davis|Neil]]), a daughter ([[Helen Davis Hatch|Helen]]), one grandchild and four great-grandchildren. All three of her children pursued architectural careers. | ||
Recognizing her long and pioneering career and contributions to the state, Alabama governor [[Bob Riley]] declared [[November 6]], [[2003]] to be "Helen Sellers Davis Day". She was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Auburn's College of Architecture, Design and Construction that same year. | Recognizing her long and pioneering career and contributions to the state, Alabama governor [[Bob Riley]] declared [[November 6]], [[2003]] to be "Helen Sellers Davis Day". She was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Auburn's College of Architecture, Design and Construction that same year. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* "Auburn to honor Davis, state's first female architect." (October 30, 2003) | * "Auburn to honor Davis, state's first female architect." (October 30, 2003) {{BBJ}} | ||
* "[http://www.aiaalabama.com/consumer_info.asp?content=mediacenter A Lifetime of Work]" (n. d.) AIA Alabama | * "[http://www.aiaalabama.com/consumer_info.asp?content=mediacenter A Lifetime of Work]" (n.d.) AIA Alabama | ||
* "Helen Sellers Davis" (April 13, 2008) obituary. | * "Helen Sellers Davis" (April 13, 2008) obituary. {{BN}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Helen | {{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Helen}} | ||
[[Category:1912 births]] | [[Category:1912 births]] | ||
[[Category:2008 deaths]] | [[Category:2008 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:Auburn alumni]] | [[Category:Auburn alumni]] | ||
[[Category:Architects]] | [[Category:Architects]] | ||
Revision as of 09:33, 12 November 2013
Helen Sellers Davis (born April 20, 1912 in Mobile; died April 10, 2008 in Birmingham) was the first licensed female architect in Alabama.
Davis was born in Mobile but grew up in Anniston, where her father had a medical practice. She was drawn to construction sites as a child to marvel at the process of building and always planned to become an architect. She graduated from Ward-Belmont School in Nashville, Tennessee and went on to enroll in the School of Architecture at Alabama Polytechnic Institute.
While a student she married one of her instructors, Charles F. Davis, Jr. After graduating in 1935 they both joined the Birmingham firm of Miller, Martin and Lewis, Architects (she was paid $18 per week). She completed her registration from the Alabama Board of Architects on July 7, 1936. They worked there for three years and then moved to the firm of Van Keuren, Davis & Company (now known as Davis Architects), where he became a partner. In the 1960s she left the firm to open her own practice.
Davis was a deacon and elder at South Highland Presbyterian Church and taught the "Wannabees" Sunday School class for 10 years. When she died in 2008 she was survived by a brother and sister, two sons (Charles III and Neil), a daughter (Helen), one grandchild and four great-grandchildren. All three of her children pursued architectural careers.
Recognizing her long and pioneering career and contributions to the state, Alabama governor Bob Riley declared November 6, 2003 to be "Helen Sellers Davis Day". She was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Auburn's College of Architecture, Design and Construction that same year.
Notable projects
- Library redesign, South Highland Presbyterian Church (1954)
References
- "Auburn to honor Davis, state's first female architect." (October 30, 2003) Birmingham Business Journal
- "A Lifetime of Work" (n.d.) AIA Alabama
- "Helen Sellers Davis" (April 13, 2008) obituary. The Birmingham News