Thompson, Martha Cassell
unknown · Contribution: 1948-1980s
One of the first two African American women to graduate from Cornell University in 1948; chief restoration architect for the Washington National Cathedral

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Impact on the world
Became the chief restoration architect for the Washington National Cathedral, one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the United States, after being one of the first two Black women to graduate from Cornell's architecture program.
Life & background
One of the first two African American women to graduate from Cornell University in 1948, alongside Alberta Jeannette Cassell, Thompson went on to serve as chief restoration architect for the Washington National Cathedral.
Sources
- Cornell University (Ezra Magazine, "The Cassell Family of Architects"); AIA ("Pioneering Architects: The Cassell Family"); Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation
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