Gertrude Comfort Morrow

[bejazd]

I found some interesting stuff on a Gamma Phi sister while helping my kiddo do a research project. anybody interested? (good stuff, I promise!)

[GeekyPenguin]

I am!

[bejazd]

Gertrude Comfort Morrow (1892-1987) was a California native born in San Francisco, and a graduate of Alameda High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of California in 1913, and a master’s degree a year later. She created her design for the crest in 1912 while still student. Gertrude submitted her design for Gamma Phi Beta’s coat of arms (our beloved crest) as part of a competition held during the Thirtieth Gamma Phi Beta Convention held at Asilomar, California. It must have been incredibly exciting when Gertrude’s design was selected since surely many Eta chapter members were in attendance at the gathering of Gamma Phi sisters near Monterey. Her simple but classic design embodies Gamma Phi Beta’s most cherished symbols. Up until the 1960s, the crest was used in monotone. In the spring of 1965 the official colors of gold, white, pink and dark brown were designated for official use on the crest. Today the Gamma Phi Beta crest design is protected by the US Patent Office and Federal Trademark Act for the exclusive use of Gamma Phi Beta.

In 1920, Gertrude Comfort married Irving F. Morrow, another graduate of UC Berkeley. He began his architectural practice in San Francisco and Oakland in 1916, designing schools, houses, banks, theaters, hotels and commercial buildings. Gertrude worked as an architect before joining Irving’s firm in 1924. At the time, women architects worked in anonymity because the presence of a woman in a male professional office was likely to “cause a disturbance.” Some of Gertrude’s independent projects included St Francis Woods, a residential neighborhood in San Francisco, the Women’s Athletic Club in Oakland and the music building at the Monrovian Seminary and College for Women in Bethlehem, PA. Together, Irving and Gertrude designed the Alameda-Contra Costa County building for the Golden Gate International Exposition at Treasure Island in 1939.

In 1930, Joseph Strauss hired Irving Morrow to design an architectural treatment for the Golden Gate Bridge. It must have been an amazing labor of love, as in 1919 Irving had described the narrow strait where the Golden Gate bridge would later be built, in this way: “caressed by the breezes from the blue bay throughout the long golden afternoon, but perhaps it is loveliest at the cool end of the day when for a few breathless moments faint afterglows transfigure the grey line of the hills.”

Irving designed small features (streetlamps, railings and pedestrian walkways) for the Golden Gate Bridge in the Art Deco style. The design caught the bay sunlight throughout the day, creating dramatic changing shadows. (Now I can see exactly why Gertrude liked Irving!)

Morrow’s most famous contribution to the Golden Gate Bridge was his suggestion that the bridge be painted a distinctive burnt orange red he called International Orange. At first the bridge authorities thought this was a crazy idea, thinking no red paint could withstand the elements (mainly salt and water from the bay.) Finally, a paint product durable enough to need less frequent repainting was found, and the golden orange was approved! “The tone is beautiful under all light conditions,” admitted a US Forestry official.

Can you imagine what it must have been like for two young architects to be such an important part of the rebuilding of their beloved hometown after the San Francisco Earthquake? Or what it meant to Gertrude to see the crescent moon rise over the Golden Gate Bridge? Of course, we can only wonder what influence Gertrude had over Irving in his work on the Golden Gate Bridge, but I think it’s safe to say he probably got an earful from his wife and professional partner of 32 years! After Irving passed away in 1952, Gertrude became an award winning ballroom dancer and landscape watercolorist. She died in Tucson at the age of 95. Irving and Gertrude’s papers are now part of the library collection at UC Berkeley.

[pbear19]

Thank you for posting, bejazd!! What an interesting historical perspective.

[SWTXBelle]

Yes, thanks - I love learning more about our history and notable sisters.

[NutBrnHair]

Any relation to Louis Comfort Tiffany (February 18, 1848 – January 17, 1933)?

[bejazd]

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

Any relation to Louis Comfort Tiffany (February 18, 1848 – January 17, 1933)?

Not that I know of...you'd have to do a genealogical search. This research came from two school projects...one on Calif landmarks and the other on 20th century art and architecture.

Of course, the Gamma Phi Beta badge was originally manufactured by Tiffany and Co. in New York.

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by bejazd

Not that I know of...you'd have to do a genealogical search. This research came from two school projects...one on Calif landmarks and the other on 20th century art and architecture.

Of course, the Gamma Phi Beta badge was originally manufactured by Tiffany and Co. in New York.

Sounds like a terrific research project for someone!

[navane]

That was really interesting! Thank you for posting that!

.....Kelly