Lilia Skala

Lilia Sofer Skala was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1896. She attended the University of Dresden, graduating as an engineer in 1920. Skala became the first female member of the Austrian Association of Engineers and Architects, practicing architecture. However, she later transitioned to a successful career as a stage and film actress in Europe. In 1939, she fled Nazism with her husband and two sons, emigrating to the United States. The only record of her work that she brought with her was her portfolio of student work from the University of Dresden, which includes watercolors, charcoal, and ink drawings. Skala eventually found success as an actress on Broadway, as well as in television and film. She was nominated for an Academy Award in 1963 for her role as Mother Maria in Lilies of the Field.