WHO?
Betty Shotton is a speaker, author and advocate for leadership accountability and contribution. With more than 35 years as a CEO and entrepreneur, she has founded and led six companies. She is also a pilot. Her book, Liftoff Leadership: 10 Principles for Exceptional Leadership, was published in October
When I arrived at the University of Virginia in the fall of 1970, I was naively unaware of the challenges I would face as part of the first class of women admitted to the traditional, all-male, Southern University. My first inkling of what lay ahead was discovering a urinal in the bathroom of my dorm suite. We also learned that there was only one shower for 10 girls. These were two simple things that I knew right away weren’t going to work for “the girls.”
These simple things were just the beginning of a four-year experience as a woman in an institution that had been staunchly male for 155 years. It wasn’t always easy, but it was a great character builder. Thirty-five years later at a reunion of “the firsts,” I was gratified to hear Ernie Ern, the dean of admissions from that time, say that admissions had purposefully chosen women who wouldn’t just open doors, but would knock them down. It was what we had to do—though often unconsciously—as we redefined the undergraduate culture at the University.
From left: Karen Davis Montgomery, Betty Shotton and Terry Jasperson Lockhart
For the most part, my experiences in those first four years of co-education were positive. What 18-year-old girl wouldn’t love being in a school filled with bright young men? In 1970, there were 450 women in an undergraduate class of more than 6,500 students. It was an exciting time both intellectually and socially. But there were many obstacles to overcome, stereotypes to face and new paths to forge. These challenges, however, proved to be invaluable for me as I continued on a pioneering path for women in business and leadership throughout my career. I have been the fortunate beneficiary of many valuable lessons that only this specific moment in history could offer me.
One of the greatest lessons I learned is that adversity is a gift. Not everyone was happy about the Board of Visitors’ decision to admit women. Much of the resistance came from older, tenured faculty members. I had one professor in particular who was angry that there were now women in his class. He made no secret of his feelings; his attitude carried into the classroom and his assignments. When I spoke in class, I was often chided. He often made sexist and demeaning remarks about the new coeds. When I tried to arrange a one-on-one meeting with him to review a low grade, he referred me to an assistant. He would not meet with me. It scared me that I had such a hostile professor, and I felt threatened academically in his class. I decided that my best option was to study hard, make it through his class without failing and be more attentive to my choices when setting up the next semester’s schedule. He was a tough introduction to my first semester at U.Va., but the experience taught me how to face resistance and obstruction without sinking into blame. It pushed me to face adversity with a commitment to finding solutions and making my way toward a more positive playing field. We all inevitably face daunting and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Taking them on as a challenge and as an opportunity is an approach that separates the average from the exceptional. With this perspective, we can gain new insights, uncover innovative solutions and increase our capacity to persevere through thick or thin.
A female student in a U.Va. class in the early 1970s
There will be times in everyone’s life when you have to stand alone in the face of fear and override that inner voice telling you to stay small, shrink into the woodwork if possible and turn back. Acknowledging and taking action in the face of your fears is rewarded with increased courage.
The women in my class constantly walked into uncharted and often hostile territory. With a 20-to-1 ratio of men to women, a class of 200 would on average have 10 girls. When we entered a classroom, we usually stood out like sore thumbs. One day, I was running a little late and arrived at my class a few minutes into the lecture. I gingerly opened the door and tried to quietly slip in unnoticed. The class had about 150 students and every seat was taken. The dress code of the day for women was miniskirts and platform shoes. Sitting on the floor was not a viable option. As I scanned the room, hoping to find an empty seat, the room got very quiet. The professor stopped talking and turned his attention to me, standing awkwardly just inside of the door. “We’re happy you decided to make it, Miss Shotton,” he said. Then, his voice dripping with sarcasm, he said,” Now, which one of you Virginia gentlemen would like to give this little lady their seat?” No one budged. My heart was pounding as an entire room of mostly young men turned their heads and looked at me with defiance and amusement.
“Oh my God,” I thought, “what if no one stands up? Please, please, please, someone please stand up.” Finally, the skinniest, geekiest nerd in the class got up and made his seat available. My opinion of nerds changed in an instant. I pulled myself together, stood up straight and tried to appear confident and nonchalant as I made my way to the seat. I found it hard to concentrate during the rest of the class but I mustered my courage and continued to act like it was nothing, all the while feeling mortified inside.
There were plenty of other occasions when I felt like an outsider, the odd woman out. There were few role models to support me or safety nets to catch me when I stumbled and fell. I had plenty of opportunity to increase my reserve of courage during those days and I am a stronger person and better leader today because of it.
When I first encountered overt prejudice and found myself the object of unfair discrimination, I was angry and I fought back. But as I continued on a pioneering path and gained experience and wisdom, I realized that it wasn’t about me. When my integrity was questioned because I innocently walked “on the Lawn,” when I was told that girls were ruining the school, when I was on the receiving end of sarcastic remarks about women by professors, I learned that my anger did nothing to help the situations. My choice in the face of unfairness was to learn to not take it personally and get myself out of harm’s way. I realized that other people’s biases and opinions are their own. I learned to not be a victim. Instead I developed a quiet self-confidence born from perseverance.
A reunion of women from the class of 1974
There are many lessons to be learned on an uncertain path or when stepping into unchartered territory, for men and women alike. The greatest of all is learning that you can do it, that you can increase your wingspan. Whatever reality you face, whatever obstacles are in your path, the world offers infinite solutions and a universe of possibility. Life is short and time is precious. Don’t waste it by staying small. Step up to the challenges and opportunities that your life offers, rise above perceived limitations and soar.
I am grateful that I chose to be part of that first class of women, an opportunity that paved the way for gender parity in the decade that followed. And I am grateful for the many lessons learned from the experience, not the least of which were overcoming adversity, strengthening my courage and increasing my self-confidence.
Comments
A powerful article on how to be accountable in your life. We live in a society that enables a ‘victim consciousness’. This article addresses that consciousness head on and in an authentic manner. Well done.
Amazing account! When I arrived in Charlottesville, in 1992, I had no idea that just 22 years before was the first round of women admissions. You must have learned so much. Thank you for being willing to share.
Very nice article. I was a member of the 4th class of women in 1973 and don’t remember openly hostile professors, but there were still quite a few openly hostile male students! We perservered and overcame the obstacles.
I really appreciate Betty’s perspective. My former Graduate English Advisor in the mid-80’s was the late Edgar Shannon, the President of the University through the Vietnam years and co-education. I remember him speaking of the great challenges and the opportunities that were well worth fighting for during that time. I suspect he would be justly proud to read Betty’s comments and to hear of the success Betty and other women earned.
Well-written! I arrived at UVa in the fall of 1980 and was amused to see urinals in our bathrooms (Dabney). We did have more than 1 shower, but the hot water only lasted until about 7:00 a.m.
I didn’t feel any animosity, but I may have been too naive to notice! However, it was still very much a “good ole boys” school.
Thank you for the reminder that adversity can be a good thing, if one uses it to build a better world. I congratulate you on your success in doing so.
Well done, Betty, both in the article and then. I was part of that class, but a toolie, so the women were even fewer and farther between - but we had one, in civil engineering. And she was a hero. I have given your article to my daughter as inspiration to believe in yourself, be confident, and overcome obstacles rather than fretting about how hard they are.
Great article about an amazing time at the U. Thank you for laying the groundwork for my class. You ladies really “took one for the team”. I was class of ‘78 and things were a lot better by then though there were still some professors who clearly didn’t want women in their classrooms. I made a point of working particularly hard in those classes to prove we deserved to be there. I certainly never minded being in the minority and it launched me to a career in which I am still in the minority, but quite comfortable. Thank you for your insights and a well written commentary!
Excellent article! I graduated in 1974 as well and so clearly recall….“and now gentlemen,let’s hear the women’s perspective.” While sometimes difficult to understand at the time, I agree, we were so fortunate to have the opportunity to learn so many wonderful lessons early in life and to be a part of Virginia’s history.
I was there as a graduate student in 1970. Your article brought back many memories of the environment at UVa and the difference your enrollment made in both positive ways for the school and negative ways for you at the moment. It is good to hear that you made it through. UVa improved because of you and it was past time for change.
That’s a wonderful picture of a group of terrific women. None of them would go out with me, but what can I say? I feel blessed that we were in the same class, and blessed that I got into UVa before the competition ramped up so significantly! I look forward to your upcoming webinaire, Betty.
In 1958 I enrolled in Logic/Philosophy 101 with Professor Yalden-Thompson. There were 99 male students and me. I was eligible because I had a B.S. degree (Univ. of Cincinnati, 1956. Mr. French was his teaching assistant and he was most kind, helping me during office hours. I passed with an A- or B+ and have found the logic learned there to be a good foundation for later learning and for life experiences.
When I returned in 1971 as a graduate student I was able to use those credits toward an M.Ed. English in 1973. Dr.Shannon was President then. It was such a privilege to be on grounds during those years. Sincerely, June Welsh Echols
Student nurses have been present at UVA for one hundred years. Not matriculated in the old days, but physically present and engaged in life on the grounds. My time was during the fifties, when we had both positive and negative experiences as we engaged in the old-style semi-militaristic “training.” First two years at Mary Washington and then on to UVA for the last two years. No problems with hostility….at least from the students’ perspective!
I arrived at the University in the fall of ‘71 and remember well being the only woman in my freshman English class and the feeling of discouragement when the professor criticized every paper. By the time I enrolled in the Engineering School in the late 70’s, even though women were still few and far between, the attitudes were much better.
Thank you for putting such a positive spin on the experience.
I just wanted to thank everyone who sent in comments in response to this article. I treasure them and it has been wonderful to hear your stories and experiences.
IT’S ALL GOOD!
Your friend and fellow Wahoo,
Betty
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