Here To Stay:

Welcoming The First Class of Women

Graffiti

This photograph, presumably taken from a wall in a restroom, mourns the loss of male single-sex education and its effect on bathroom graffiti. As more all-male spaces needed to be shared with females, males felt more inclined to guard their sexist exchanges, often found in bathroom graffiti. A tinge of resentment is evident in this message....

All smiles

This group of women in the first class seem to be having the time of their lives. They are enjoying each others' company and the chilly fall weather.

Living it up

In the fall of 1970, coed groups of students are enjoying the Lawn, one another and a few choice beverages. All seems peaceful at Mr. Jefferson's University.

Student Residences & Relaxing...

Since coeducation followed years of debate, one would have anticipated overwhelming male resentment when women did arrive in 1970. Yet, as most accounts from students and this photograph show, males mostly accepted women as their classmates and more importantly their friends.

Classroom scenes

This photograph makes two points. First of all, this woman is being objectified by the angling of the photo. Even though the University admitted women in 1970, many of these women admit they did struggle at times to be treated as equals. Secondly, this woman seems feminine and stylish. Many presume that this first class of women attracted only radical feminists coming to the University with an agenda. In fact, these women were fairly traditional in terms of dress.