- Sophia G. Hayden (1868-1953) Architect. Became the first woman graduate in architecture from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1890. In 1891 she entered a competition for the design of the Woman’s Building of the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. Her winning design, completed at age 23, was to be her only major building. It was intended to house the art, crafts, groups, clubs, and activities of women from around the world. Its dimensions and purposes were predetermined by a Board of Lady Managers, headed by Bertha Honore (Mrs. Potter) Palmer, Chicago’s leading socialite. Hayden was awarded $1,000 plus expenses and went to Chicago for construction. She worked to exhaustion as the Lady Managers introduced last minute changes. The central hall with a clerestory featured a Mary Cassatt mural of women harvesting fruit on the south tympanum. Part of the 2nd story was a roof garden. Most criticism was favorable, but some dismissed the building as merely a woman’s work. Page 64 →Hayden was not present at official opening ceremonies and was rumored to be in a state of collapse. She abandoned architecture and after a few years married an artist. Although she lived some 85 years, there is little of her life on public record after the Chicago Fair. The inclusion of a woman architect and woman managers was originally the handiwork of Susan B. Anthony, who began to agitate in 1889 for women's control of their own events at the fair. Anthony appeared at the fairgrounds often and was paid more homage by the crowds than any other visitor.
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