National Women’s Colleges and Universities Day is March 5
By Nichola Monroe β27
Womenβs colleges and universities have a record of opening higher education to marginalized communities and matriculating some of historyβs most influential and successful women. To commemorate these institutionsβ invaluable contribution to , the led the congressional initiative to establish March 5th as in the US.
βI specifically sought out a womenβs college, and ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄ was my first choice,β says Lily Waldman β25. βI am a biology major, and I wanted a more supportive environment, especially in science courses. In high school, I had several classes where some boys were fairly overpowering and didnβt think I was capable. Even though STEM classes are co-ed between ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄ and Pitzer, its culture is non-competitive and people donβt underestimate me, and itβs also easier to break into research positions.β
Womenβs colleges have also driven progress to expand financial aid for a wide range of students with dreams and drive. of womenβs college attendees are Pell Grant recipients and receive financial aid. As covering the costs of college attendance has grown increasingly challenging, National Womenβs Colleges and Universities Day not only recognizes the value of these unique institutions, but also helps generate financial support for their continued existence.
βThere are people that would argue we do not need womenβs colleges anymore because education has become much more inclusive,β Waldman continues. βBut with the loss of affirmative action and the current attacks on DEI, it is even more important to conserve spaces for marginalized people.β
Ellen Browning ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄, an incredible businesswoman and philanthropist, similarly went against the grain to create her βcrown jewelββΒιΆΉΤ΄΄. Her early leadership was irreplaceable in creating what The Claremont College consortium is today, including purchasing property where ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer Colleges could grow. ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄ is now one of the two remaining womenβs colleges on the west coast.
Established in 1926, ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄ is one of the few remaining women’s colleges in the United States and continues to thrive today
ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄β unique nature of being a suburban institution within an academically rigorous, highly accessible co-ed consortium has also created an avenue for students enroll without originally intending to attend a womenβs college.
Sofia Campagna β27 explains: βEven though I didnβt seek it out, Iβm really happy that I go to a small womenβs college. Iβve never met anyone at ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄ who is not driven, passionate, interesting, and engaging. At this point I canβt imagine myself anywhere else.β
Once considering Barnard, Katy McPartland β27 ultimately landed on ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄ due to its central urban location, myriad educational opportunities through the consortium, and sense of safety. Her time at ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄ also shaped her perspective on why womenβs colleges matter today. βGoing to a womenβs college has been a defining experience in what values I now hold in terms of being part of affinity spaces for women and other marginalized genders,β she says.
Observing this day also offers an occasion to share success stories of womenβs college alumnae, donate to a womenβs college that is important to you, and express the importance of these institutions to politicians to ensure their continued support.
βWomenβs colleges are important institutions that continue to show to society how we have both been denied or hampered in our access to education, but now have and continue to protect womenβs access to education,β adds Willa Baker β27. βI think itβs crucial to conserve that lineage and history.β