Bos 07 2011 harvard hall 2877

A brief history of women in higher education

By jessmcw

  • Catherine Brewer first woman to earn a bachelor's degree

    Brewer obtained her degree from Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga.
  • Frances Elizabeth Willard becomes the first female college president

    Frances Elizabeth Willard becomes the first female college president

    Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress Evanston College for ladies in Illinois. The exact day is unknown.

  • Harriette Cooke is the first full professor to earn the same salary as her male peers

    This occurred in 1871, but the exact day is unknown

  • Ttitle IX passed making discrimination based on sex illegal in federally funded education programs

  • Lorene Rogers become the first female president of a major research university, the University of Texas

    This occured in 1975, though the exact date is not certain.

  • Equal numbers of women and men are attending universities in the United States

  • Women earn more Bachelor's degrees than men, 1981-82

    This is for the academic year 1981-82

  • Women earn more Master's degrees than men

    This is for the 1986-87 academic year

  • Jacqueline Weis Liebergott becomes president of Emerson College

    Liebergott served at interim president before being inaugurated as president in 1993. Exact date is not known.
  • Susan Hockfield becomes president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Susan Hockfield becomes president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    photo by Martin H and published under a Creative Common license. Some rights reserved.
  • Drew Faust becomes president of Harvard University

    Drew Faust becomes president of Harvard University

    Photo published under a Creative Commons license.