Browse this interactive timeline of women’s history at Susquehanna University. Did you find something you want to dig into more? Contact Archives and Special Collections!
1800’s
- 1865-1866-Elizabeth Born (April 16, 1853-February 7, 1925) and Catherine Born (August 9, 1855-December 5, 1943) were the first women to be enrolled at the Missionary Institute. Their father, Peter Born, was the head of the Classical Department, and he enrolled them under the names “E. Born” and “C. Born” when they were about 10-12 years old.
- 1872-1873-Elizabeth Born became the first female professor as a “Teacher of Instrumental Music.”
- 1897-Augusta Breimeier was the first female graduate of the newly named Susquehanna University.
1910’s-1920’s
- 1916-Women played their first intercollegiate sports game.
- 1921-Ladies Choral Club was started.
- 1925-Women had to adhere to very strict regulations. For instance, they had to get permission from the Dean of Women to see a doctor or ride in a car. They were also prohibited from doing certain activities, like sitting on the grass lawns with boys and dancing in town.
1930’s-1940’s
- September 29, 1930-The Women’s Athletic Club is formed to create interest in girls’ sports.
- 1945– Women had to adhere to strict dining rules. They had to wear dresses with stockings and were forbidden to wear pants or gym clothes to the dining hall. Women also had to use a completely different entrance to their male peers!
1950’s
- 1950-Barbara Stagg became the first woman to compete on the men’s tennis team.
- 1953-The Women’s Student Council Constitution Amendments and Bylaws listed women’s curfew and restricted visiting hours for guests.
- 1958-A petition was circulated asking for a curfew extension for women so that they can participate in the homecoming festivities for SU’s centennial year.
1960’s
- 1961-Women’s field hockey team is started.
- 1967-The Association for Women Students (AWS) created its constitution. This new club was meant to address issues like extending curfew, revamping rules, and making social events catered towards women.
- 1968-All female students are automatically made members of AWS, and therefore have to pay club dues each year.
- 1969-Student Kathleen Moriarty protested the sign-out rules by refusing to comply and circulating a petition that was eventually signed by about 167 women.
- 1969-AWS implemented its Big-Little Sister mentor program to help first-year girls get acclimated to life at SU.
- April 22, 1969-AWS formed a babysitting service for faculty and staff in need of childcare.
1970’s
- 1970-The no-hours curfew policy was approved after AWS campaigning and student protests.
- February 1972– AWS negotiated a plan for the Health Center to establish a referral service allowing female students to see a gynecologist.
- March 12, 1973-AWS distributed pamphlets to all female students with information on abortion, birth control, and sexually transmitted diseases.
- 1973–Betty Friedan, feminist author of The Feminine Mystique, spoke at SU about the women’s liberation movement.
- 1974–Debra Horner ’74 was elected as the first female Student Senate President.
- 1976-President Weber announced a new committee to review SU’s Title IX compliance.
1990’s
- 1991-The Men Against Rape organization was created to have men “reexamine their attitudes towards rape and sexual assault.” During their first year, they renovated a battered women’s shelter and participated in the Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition’s lecture.
- October 31, 1991-Women’s studies minor was approved.
- April 30, 1992-The first “Take Back the Night” rally, which was sponsored by Men Against Rape, was held to raise awareness for sexual assault.
- 1993– Women’s Resource Center opened.
- 1994-Women’s varsity soccer team is formed.
- 1997-Women’s rugby team is formed.
2000’s
- 2002-Women’s golf became a varsity sport.
- 2004–The Sisterhood, an organization for women of color, is formed to enhance awareness of multiculturalism.
- January 28, 2005– Rev. Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., held a meet-and-greet session in Degenstein Gallery to honor the legacy of her father.
For more information on women’s history at SU, check out these links:
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