From 'No Girls Allowed' to 'Girls Rule'
Posted on Feb 17, 2011 by JRF
2010 JRF scholar, Lisa with her son on graduation day.
The ‘no girls allowed’ policy on college campuses seems like a school-yard myth to anyone born in the last few decades. This was not the case for women in the 1970’s who fought hard for their right to equal education, including the first class of women to attend St. Mary’s College of California.
“The Skirts,” as they were affectionately nicknamed, have been invited to tell their stories in a class called “The First 40-Years of Women on Campus.” They’re showing current students at St. Mary’s, like junior Kristina Russell, that a lot has changed in 40 years. Kristina said, “Being a woman and going to college is thought of as a given to my entire generation… These girls fought tooth and nail and it’s made me appreciate my education more.” Now, more than 60% of students at St. Mary’s are women.
One of the first generation female graduates remembers her goal of marrying a doctor, until she realized that she could be one. Monica Fitzgerald, an associate professor at St. Mary’s, recognizes the power this message of empowerment has, and is working to build an archive so that every student on campus can learn about these strong women.
While there are still barriers to college today, Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund works to increase access to higher education for women nationwide. JRF supporters carry on the legacy of Jeannette Rankin, who fought for women’s rights throughout her life and left money to help “unemployed, mature women workers” go to school.
Thank you to all of those who fought tirelessly to get us where we are today, and to all of those who continue to fight.
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Tagged: jrf, legacy, the skirts
