As International Women’s Day approaches, Gianna, Audrey, Janie, and Iona took a moment to look back at the women who came before them. Let’s meet a few who inspired them in their landscape architecture journey.

Today, many more women are choosing to make their careers in landscape architecture. Gianna, Audrey, Janie, and Iona are experiencing the transformations in the field first-hand. Their career paths were inspired by many women, including these four.

Gianna’s inspiration: Martha Schwartz

Martha Schwartz is an American landscape architect and artist. In 1990, she founded the renowned Martha Schwartz Partners, which today has studios in New York, London, and Shanghai — no less! In parallel, she teaches her beloved subject as a professor at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

To Gianna, Martha Schwartz is remarkable for the impressive recognition her work has received since the 1990s. Gianna admires her bold projects and the new ideas she has brought to the table, exploring new horizons through shapes, colours, textures, and materials. She has made her mark as a leader in the field, particularly with regard to sustainable urban development.

Audrey’s inspiration: Elsie Reford

Elsie Reford is the avant-garde horticulturist behind the majestic Reford Gardens, a jewel of landscape architecture in Québec. Starting in the summer of 1926, she transformed the spruce forest that surrounded her fishing camp into massive lush gardens. Although the nearest nurseries are hundreds of kilometres away, Elsie Reford accomplished a remarkable feat by establishing one of the largest plant collections of the era. To do so, she hired and trained people from the area. 

Audrey admires Elsie Reford’s unwavering determination. The fact that she did all this while having two children and at an advanced age makes the task more extraordinary. Her social class undoubtedly played a favourable role in the development of the project, admits Audrey, but she deserves no less credit. Elsie Reford was able to establish herself and did whatever was necessary to make her vision a reality.

Iona’s inspiration: Isabelle Dupras

Isabelle Dupras is a landscape architect recognized for her contribution to the accessibility and showcasing of native Québec plants. In 1993, she and Jean Daas founded Horticulture Indigo in Ulverton, in the Eastern Townships. This initiative introduced the horticultural world (individuals, landscapers, and designers) to the full range of possibilities within this field. Acquired by Pépinière Aiglon Inc., the company is today known as Aiglon Indigo.

Iona admires the impact of this Québec company on the discoverability of native plants. She considers it a reference for understanding the rise of environmental value given to horticulture.

Janie’s inspiration: Lise Watier and other female entrepreneurs

Lise Watier is one of the first female ambassadors of entrepreneurship in Québec. She began her career as a television host before launching her own cosmetics brand in 1972, Lise Watier Cosmétiques. She headed the organization for 40 years then eventually devoted herself to other activities including the promotion of the Lise Watier Foundation.

This type of journey fascinates Janie. In general, female entrepreneurs inspire her the most. She is entrepreneurial herself and likes learning about these exceptional ambitious figures. She and her colleague Maude are co-owners of the company Fâche-toi pas, specialized in crafting handmade decorative items. Audrey previously cofounded the clothing brand Of Sharks and Men. Most recently, she and her family launched a nursery focused on the production of native trees and shrubs, Pépinière du Versant.

Following in their footsteps

Over the years, inspiring women have succeeded each other and paved the path for others. They inhabit the imagination of Gianna, Audrey, Janie, Iona, and all their counterparts. Each one contributed, in her own way, to pushing the limits of the profession or widening the scope of career possibilities. Hats off, ladies! If many more women choose landscape architecture today, it is in part thanks to the walls that the Marthas, Elsies, Lises, and Isabelles of this world broke down.