 Whenever a client was introduced to an architect, the presence and name of a female architect was kept unknown in order to keep businesses running.In 1980, after her departure from Gruen Associates, Sklarek became the first black woman to be elected a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) after being the first African American woman member in 1959.From 1980 to 1985, she also worked at Welton Becket Associateswhere she served as the project director of the $50-million construction for the Terminal One station at the Los Angeles International Airport.