Milka Bliznakov was born on September 20, 1927, in Varna, Bulgaria to Ivan Dimitrov Tchernev and Dr. Maria Kesarova Khorosova.

[1] She earned a master's degree in architecture from the State Polytechnic University of Sofia in 1951.

The prize is awarded for research that furthers knowledge of women's contributions to architecture and design.

[2] Bliznakov received the Bulgarian government's Parthena Medal for Excellence in Architecture in 1985.

She was also named a Wilson Center of the Smithsonian Institution Scholar in 1988 and was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.