Pre-1970

Absorbing and forming ideas of a Women's Movement...

"Virginia Women Stress Communication"

This article reveals one of the few places attention is given to the opinions of women already in place at UVa. While their opinions range from avocation of coeducation to re-evaluation of the fraternity system, it's interesting to hear that they have been thinking of the issue. Also of interest is the commentary on their appearance. The Cavalier Daily, 11/4/68

Handbook For Women Students

In this handbook given to entering female students prior to the 1970 coeducation of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dean Gwathmey and the president of the Women's Student's Association remind the women of their unique position as a minority group at the University. Dean Gwathmey wants them to be shining examples of what women at the University could do to improve the overall climate. The president of the WSA encourages the women to maintain positive moral standards as all eyes observe their every movement. The section on their obligation to the honor system is particularly interesting, considering the argument in the Woody Commission that admitting women would destroy the honor system. circa 1960s

WSA President's Summary

This list of activities planned by the WSA makes it hard for one to understand if an intense sense of parochialism is being maintained through the work of the WSA or if this organization is taking women to the brink of the women's movement with talks about the "modern woman's role" in society. Truth be told, this is probably a question they asked themselves throughout the year as they brought women more liberal ideas about their bodies and such. 1964-65

Siecus Newsletter

As sex, birth control and female health concerns started to dominate the minds of women across the United States, the small population of women at the University were not shielded from talks about such controversial topics. They became concerned about their own sexual needs, protection and pleasure, and they used places like the coed room and publications such as these to heighten awareness about these topics. February 1965

Various Fliers     1     2     3     4

Just as the national newsletter suggested that topics such as sex, birth control and female equality are evident in the consciousness of University women, these talks hosted from the WSA prove a similar point. Not only were these women reading of the strides other women had made in other places, they brought specialists to the University to discuss the hot topics. mid 1960s

Letter from Roberta Gwathmey, Dean of Women

Dean Gwathmey responds bitterly and angrily to the proposition to make the "co-ed" room, on Poe's alley, into a male and female meeting space. While the number of women at the University is small in 1967 and the role of the Dean of Women is relatively minor, Dean Gwathmey gets the attention of administrators when they threaten to invade one of the few female sanctuaries on Grounds. Note the vision of her last paragraph. April 11, 1967

Letter from WSA to President Darden

While the women present prior to 1970 may have been small in number, their response to decisions made by University officials without regard for their well being is far from small and quiet. The rumored removal of the co-ed room for use by women students elicited a formal yet stern response from the president of the WSA. This shows that while women at the University prior to 1970 resolve to carry out their days unconcerned about being in a minority, they refuse to be pushed to the side. May 29, 1958

New hour regulations for women students

In response to the BOV's address of Student Council's request that visitation hours be more flexible, Dean Mary Whitney and the dorm committee for Mary Mumford dorms rearrange visitation hours for female students as well. While these visitation hours are much more liberal than previous hours, a woman must still receive permission from her parents in order to have unlimited visiting hours. This is ironic considering that all women present at the University prior to 1970 were deemed "mature" by the Admissions office as a result of the Board's 1920 female admissions standards. September 1967