Julia Thomas, M.A. '74

Julia returned to college a few years later, receiving a master of arts degree in urban planning from UCLA. Her marriage with David Thomas ended; she embarked on a new career in architecture and urban planning. In 1974, she joined the firm of Michael L. Bobrow and Associates, starting what would become a lifelong partnership with pioneering architect Bobrow. In 1977, she became a principal of the firm, now renamed Bobrow/Thomas & Associates (BTA). In 1979, she became BTA's president and the L.A. Times headlined that she was the first woman to be named president of an American medium or large architectural firm. In 1980, Julia and Michael further cemented their partnership, marrying in Santa Barbara, and together they grew BTA from its Westwood offices to become one of the nation's most respected architecture and planning firms with expertise in healthcare, academic, cultural and advanced-technology projects.

Julia was not only a leader in her field but was a very active voice in the business community. She served as President of the Committee of 200, a group of leading international women entrepreneurs, and was active on many boards, such as Otis College of Art and Design, UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Schools of Management, Public Health and of Architecture, Friends of the Schindler House and serving as vice chair of the California Council for the Humanities. She helped lead the UCLA Foundation in the planning of its master plan and its major buildings. She gave seminars to architects, engineers and urban planners, was invited to the White House in her role as a leading woman executive and spoke about the role of women in business on the Merv Griffin Show. Deeply influenced by her grandfather's commitment to labor rights, throughout her life she was angered by the persistent wage gap between women and men.

With Bobrow and others, she co-authored "Building Type Basics for Healthcare Facilities", covering hospital design, history and master planning, now a standard text. For their body of work, in 2018 Julia and Mike were honored by the American Institute of Architects with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Healthcare Facility Design.

Julia loved her family, art, music, travel and playing tennis with her husband Michael, who, along with her sister Evelyn Sichi, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister Diana Hensley; daughter, Leslie Thomas; stepchildren, Elizabeth (Steve), Erica (Matt) and David (Liza); grandchildren, Nico and Deborah; and her nieces and nephews, Julie, Steve (Betsy), Joe (Ai), Gianna, Zia, John, Ann, Elisabeth (Chris), Tom (Annalee), and their many loved children.