In 1905, this woman opened her own architecture office in San Francisco. One year later, after the earthquake and fire of 1906, the interior of the Fairmont Hotel was rebuilt by her. Who was she?

A true trailblazer in a field dominated by men, Julia Morgan was the first woman admitted to the prestigious architecture program at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. After earning her certificate, she returned to her native California, becoming the state's first licensed female architect. She established her own practice in San Francisco in 1905, positioning herself to play a crucial role in the city's future.

Her new firm was immediately put to the test. Just one year later, the great (Review) 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire devastated the city. While the grand structure of the new Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill survived the quake, its lavish interior was completely gutted by the fire. The hotel's owners entrusted Morgan with the massive task of rebuilding it. Her design, which made innovative use of reinforced concrete to better withstand fire and seismic activity, was a triumph. The hotel's successful reopening in 1907 became a symbol of San Francisco's resilience and cemented Morgan's reputation.

The Fairmont project was an early highlight in a prolific career that would span nearly 50 years and include over 700 buildings. Morgan is perhaps most famous for her decades-long collaboration with newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, which produced the magnificent and iconic Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California.