Lilia Skala-Sofer Architect and actress Lilia Skala-Sofer from Austria had originally wanted to become an architect, and she went down in the history of Dresden College of Technology as one of its first female architecture graduates. But then everything changed – and she conquered Broadway as a successful actress. Lilia Sofer was born in Vienna in 1896. Her career aspiration was unusual for a woman in the early20th century: she enrolled on a degree course in architecture at Dresden College of Technology, graduating in 1920 with distinction. Back in Vienna, Lilia Sofer became the first woman to join the Austrian Chamber of Engineers and Architects. The successful architect mixed with artists and met the famous theatre and film director Max Reinhardt (1873–1943). He discovered Lilia’s great acting talent, gave her lessons, and finally asked her to join his team. Between 1931 and 1936, she appeared in six German and Austrian feature films. After the annexation of Austria by the German Reich in 1938, Lilia and her Jewish husband Erik Skala were forced to flee with their two children to the USA. Arriving as a complete unknown, Lilia had to start building her career all over again. In the end, however, thanks to her exceptional talent, Lilia Skala-Sofer, now about 50 years old, managed to gain a foothold on Broadway and even in Hollywood. Her most successful film, Lilies of the Field (1963), earned her nominations for a Golden Globe and an Oscar. In 1991, the 95-year-old Lilia Skala-Sofer appeared in the thriller Men of Respect. On 18 December 1994, this famous graduate of Dresden University of Technology died on Long Island, New York.
Fotonachweis: Technische Universität Dresden, Universitätsarchiv (1); Privatarchiv Skala (2, 3, 4, 5)
Renate Lieckfeldt 1965–2013 “Higher education means passion!” declared Renate Lieckfeldt ardently at the start…
Ausstellungseröffnung #herstory – Sachsen und seine Akademikerinnen Im Tietz der Stadt…
Marketing researcher and first woman at the helm of a university Cornelia Zanger Cornelia Zanger…
Physician and first female rector Beate A. Schücking After a long career in…
