ASI | Architectural Systems is honoring the trailblazers of women’s empowerment who set the path to control and benefit from the resources, assets, income and their own time, as well as the ability to manage risk and improve their economic status and well being.

Recognizing the first practicing female architect, Anna Wagner Keichline, born in Bellefonte in 1889, Anna was Pennsylvania’s first registered woman architect. Her first architectural project was the design of a schoolhouse in Milesburg. Not only can one find her building projects in central Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Washington D.C., she also patented several inventions and architectural designs that contributed to the evolution of architectural planning. Not only was Anna an architect, but she was also a Suffragette! We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the historic moment when the 19th Amendment was ratified and women were finally allowed to vote. How crazy does that sound?

ASI is fortunate to collaborate with the most creative people in the world, and a special nod goes to one of contemporary design's leading visionaries, Andrée Putman who brought her inexhaustible curiosity, energy and talent to every creative endeavor. Having met her once, I can attest to the amazing woman that she was. “Good design is pure and simple, and I am interested in that family of things that will never date.”

This millennial fashion designer has built her own clothing and accessory empire by targeting young women and actually connecting with them on a personal level, mainly using social media and influencer marketing. In September of 2018, she established the Female Founder Collective, a network of businesses led by women that invests in women’s financial power across the socio-economic spectrum by enabling and empowering female-owned businesses. Kudos to Rebecca, from one female entrepreneur to another!

Oprah Winfrey continues to make waves as an American media executive as the visionary and leader behind OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, actress, talk show host, television producer and philanthropist .The Oprah Winfrey Show, was the highest-rated television program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011 in Chicago. Oprah has entertained and inspired millions of viewers to live their best lives. Her accomplishments as a global media leader and philanthropist have established her as one of the most respected and admired public figures today. “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”