Norma Merrick Sklarek was one of the first Black female architects in America who helped build iconic structures across the country despite facing massive challenges in her field. The first half of the 20th century saw massive surges in polio cases, resulting in extended hospital stays for many, including Eleanor Abbot, a retired schoolteacher who invented Candyland to entertain the children she met in the polio ward. #HISTORYHonors250 Discover more American history on our site: https://www.history.com/250 Celebrating 250 years of America’s history, we reflect on its journey from independence in 1776 to global influence. Through resilience and progress, the U.S. has faced challenges, fought for equality, and shaped a diverse nation, committed to liberty, justice, and unity. Join us on this exciting journey through 250 years of progress and keep visiting HISTORY.com for more stories of breakthrough innovations, major achievements, and unsung heroes that have shaped the nation. Don't miss a video! Subscribe NOW: https://www.youtube.com/@HISTORY?sub_confirmation=1 ABOUT THE HISTORY CHANNEL: The HISTORY® Channel, a division of A+E Global Media, is the premier destination for historical storytelling. From best-in-class documentary events, to a signature slate of industry leading nonfiction series and premium fact-based scripted programming, The HISTORY® Channel serves as the most trustworthy source of informational entertainment in media. FOLLOW HISTORY CHANNEL: Watch Full Episodes: https://www.history.com/videos Sign Up For History Emails: https://www.history.com/emails/sign-up Browse Topical Videos: https://www.history.com/topics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HISTORY/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/history TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@history X: https://twitter.com/history YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HISTORY Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialog, music, and images that are property of The HISTORY® Channel. You are authorized to share the video link and channel, and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to our YouTube Channel is provided. © 2026 The HISTORY® Channel Norma Merrick Sklarek Engineers Her Success | History Honors 250 https://www.youtube.com/@HISTORY/