A summer agriculture class at U.Va. provides instruction in stock judging—the evaluation of domesticated animals for breeding purposes. Most of the students in summer classes, which began in 1907, were women.
Women have always lived, worked and learned at the University of Virginia, but over the last century women have fundamentally transformed what once was known as a “Gentleman’s University.” The increase in access and opportunity for women has raised U.Va.’s academic profile and enriched the educational and social experiences of all students.
Despite Thomas Jefferson’s progressive vision of education in a newly formed nation, his plans for the University did not include women. Like many of his era, he believed that women’s education should be oriented toward the domestic, and the higher education he believed was the bedrock of democracy and civilized public life was not extended to them.
Nonetheless, women found ways to learn at the University. Before 1970, more than 15,000 women earned professional, graduate and undergraduate degrees, and a comparable number received degrees or certificates from the Nursing School. In 1970, 450 undergraduate women enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences, transforming the University into a fully coeducational institution. Today, women constitute more than half of the student population. Women excel in the classroom, win prestigious awards and scholarships, compete in athletics and lead student organizations. The University’s alumnae are leaders and pioneers in every aspect of American life, and their contributions have reshaped a rapidly changing world.
The diverse stories of individual female students at the University trace a movement toward integration and empowerment on Grounds.
- The Early Years
- Constance Page Daniel studies at the University during the Depression
- Margaret Sutherland Coleman and the post-World War II years
- Janet Blakeman’s experience as a law student in the ’50s
- Sixties nursing students, Ann Kiessling and Mavis Claytor
- The transition to full coeducation in 1970
- A history of female professors at U.Va.
- Holly Smith’s and Valerie Smith Kirkman’s: Early full coeducation
- Sandra Lewis, the first African American female day student, and her daughter, Tanya Lewis
- Jill Haworth Jones and women’s athletics at U.Va.
- Glynn Key’s and Nancy Andrews’s student experience in the ’80s
- 2011 Alumna of the Year, Alexandra Arriaga
- Sportscaster Melissa Stark Lilley’s student experience in the ’90s
- Mary Elizabeth Bruce created her own major, poverty studies, in the ’00s
- Current student Irene Kan is the managing editor of the Cavalier Daily
Comments
Happy to have been one of those 450 women in 1970. I had already completed 2 years at Ohio State, gotten married to a Duke n'ere do well, who had joined the Army for his proverbial kick in the pants. After serving a year in Viet Nam, UVa was kind enough to admit him to the school of Engineering where, 3 years later, he graduated with a 3.8. He beat my 3.5 from the School of Education. At any rate, we went on to successful careers and are retired today. Thank you, UVa, not so much for admitting me, but for taking a chance on my husband! I believe it was something special you did, with no fanfare, for a returning Vet, who at that time were not treated very well. Today we marvel at the difference in respect we give our soldiers vs. Viet Nam days. At least one step in the right direction!
I consider myself a lucky person to have been able to work with Irene on multiple events throughout my time here at UVa, and always appreciate the advice and wisdom she passes on. Her input is definitely invaluable and there is no doubt that she is someone who will be missed after her graduation.
From 9/69 to 5/71, I was a graduate student in the planning program in the Architecture School. The difference in walking across campus in the fall of 1969 when there were no undergraduate ladies to the fall of 1970 when there were 150 admitted was so noticeable. At that time almost half of the student body was graduate students and there were many ladies among them but the addition of undergraduate ladies forever changed UVA. Thank you for recognizing the importance of this change over the past 40 years. 1971 MPUD
After earning both my BA (CAS '84) and MSCE (SEAS '93) at the University, I now own a cow that looks very much like the one in the photograph. Wonderful article.
The women of UVA serve to be an inspiration to all. They are resourceful women who are dedicated to earning their degrees and are committed to using their knowledge to make the lives of others throughout the world better.
Brava, Phyllis!
yes tanya and mama sandra! love it! legacy at its finest. two of the most generous, humble women you will ever meet.
It was inspiring to read the stories of so many pioneers at the University. One area that was not covered was the evolving role of women in the musical life of the University. As the historian of the Virginia Glee Club Alumni & Friends Association, the earliest reference we have to women of the University community participating in Glee Club performances comes in 1944, when a "Madrigal Group" made up of women from the University joined the Glee Club in its fourth annual Christmas concert. The Madrigal Group lasted two seasons, disbanding after the end of World War II, and except for a brief reinstatement in the 1950s there is no further word about a women's choir until the formation of the University of Virginia Women's Chorus in 1974. So while the Glee Club collaborated in virtually every home concert with a women's chorus, they always had to reach outside the University community for their collaborations. It would be great if any of the original members of that Madrigal Group could share their stories. According to the December 15, 1944 "College Topics," they included Kathryn Bell, Barbara Bishop, Phyllis Black, Joyce Blume, Adele Chauvenet, Mary Costello, Virginia Cummings, Nancye Jane Davis, Renee Gretcke, Barbara Harris, Mary Lamb, Jeanne Mills, Margaret Neale, Betty Pritchett, Roberta Richman, Catherine Spencer, Doris Spradlin, Mae Thacker, Virginia Ware, Anna Witt, Mary Broyles, Dudley Burruss, Priscilla Calmer, Calise Chauvenet, Mary L. Forbes, June Kittleson, Betty Newton, Nancy Spicer, Patsy Walker, and Mary Wheat.
The beautiful young woman on the front page of the Cavalier Daily -- who is in the process of moving into Webb dormitiory -- is my wonderful wife and best friend of 39 years, Martha Sandlin Walton. We first met about three days later. Her hair is a little shorter now, but she is still as wonderful and beautiful as she was in 1970!
There are, of course, two beautiful young women (and one helpful young man in a tie!) on the front page. Martha is at the top right. Can anyone identify the others?
I transferred from MWC for Summer, 1965, for Basic Nursing and then graduated with my BSN in 1968. My friend, Bonnie Kiessling and i BROKE tradition [never leaving McKim Hall] and donned our short skirts and beads and went over to the Main Library to study!! We were virtually the only women there and ended up with a huge group of friends...awesome. Also, we tried out for Cheerleading, but were told that UVA just couldn't have women on the squad at that time. We played football against the Architecture school and won the match [my recollection] even though their Center broke my finger when he tackled me, and i had to complete my public health rotation driving around the countryside, despite having had surgery with pins implanted on that hand. UVA as a woman in the early days was a perfect experience and I have had a fabulous career, and am eternally proud of my education and resulting degree. Two of my three children also attended, and it was strange to visit my daughter in the "new dorms" and her sorority house!!
I heartily congratulate Teresa A. Sulllivan. The appointment of a woman president by the University of Virginia represents the capstone of an initiative by civil liberties advocates that began over four decades ago. The Central Virginia Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union was established March 7, 1967 on the initiative of myself (founder and co-chairman) and two junior colleagues. The decision to initiate a lawsuit against the University for gender discrimination was made in 1969 with the appointment of John Lowe as the attorney for the ACLU in his legal action against the University's administration. The decision colloquially referred to as Kirstein vs. The Administration of the University of Virginia was handed down in early 1970. Subsequent investigation by visiting Professor Rachel Moran showed that the Kirstein case was cited precedentially by eleven Circuit Courts and frequently by the U.S. Supreme Court in subsequent co-education litigations. Mary Ellen Whitney played a key role in the success of the Kirstein suit. She was terminated as a University of Virginia employee in June of 1970 and was never again employed at an academic post.
As a first years woman in 1970, I was unaware of the import of the changes coming to U.Va. I chose The University over others to which I was accepted primarily because it was the best "horse country!"
My wonderful wife, Elizabeth Anne Allen, was among those first yearwomen in 1970, having transferred in from The American School in Lugano, Switzerland. I was a fourth year that year, but I did not meet her until after I graduated and took a job at a bank. And there she was. We've been married for forty years.
As a young child I lived on Copeley Hill as my father and mother, both WWII veterans, completed their degrees at UVa. My father was a Mechanical Engineering student, while my mother, Marjorie T. Austin, got her degree in Education. We were on Copeley Hill from 1949 to 1953.
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