Breaking the MIT Ceiling

Written By Kayla Victor-Logie

Sophia Hayden Bennett (1868–1953)

At just 21 years old, Sophia Hayden Bennett became the first woman to graduate from MIT with a degree in architecture.

Why She’s a Konstellation Icon:

  • The Woman’s Building: She won the design competition for the Woman’s Building at the 1893 World’s Fair. It was a massive feat of neoclassical design.

  • Facing the "Grit": Despite her talent, she faced immense pressure and pay inequity from the male-dominated construction committees. Her story is a reminder of the mental toughness required to be the "first" on the site.

Kayla Victor-Logie
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