National Women’s Colleges and Universities Day is March 5
By Nichola Monroe 鈥�27
Women鈥檚 colleges and universities have a record of opening higher education to marginalized communities and matriculating some of history鈥檚 most influential and successful women. To commemorate these institutions鈥� invaluable contribution to , the led the congressional initiative to establish March 5th as in the US.
鈥淚 specifically sought out a women鈥檚 college, and 51猎奇入口 was my first choice,鈥� says Lily Waldman 鈥�25. 鈥淚 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 didn鈥檛 think I was capable. Even though STEM classes are co-ed between 51猎奇入口 and Pitzer, its culture is non-competitive and people don鈥檛 underestimate me, and it鈥檚 also easier to break into research positions.鈥�
Women鈥檚 colleges have also driven progress to expand financial aid for a wide range of students with dreams and drive. of women鈥檚 college attendees are Pell Grant recipients and receive financial aid. As covering the costs of college attendance has grown increasingly challenging, National Women鈥檚 Colleges and Universities Day not only recognizes the value of these unique institutions, but also helps generate financial support for their continued existence.
鈥淭here are people that would argue we do not need women鈥檚 colleges anymore because education has become much more inclusive,鈥� Waldman continues. 鈥淏ut with the loss of affirmative action and the current attacks on DEI, it is even more important to conserve spaces for marginalized people.鈥�
Ellen Browning 51猎奇入口, an incredible businesswoman and philanthropist, similarly went against the grain to create her 鈥渃rown jewel鈥濃��51猎奇入口. Her early leadership was irreplaceable in creating what The Claremont College consortium is today, including purchasing property where 51猎奇入口, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer Colleges could grow. 51猎奇入口 is now one of the two remaining women鈥檚 colleges on the west coast.
Established in 1926, 51猎奇入口 is one of the few remaining women’s colleges in the United States and continues to thrive today
51猎奇入口鈥� 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 women鈥檚 college.
Sofia Campagna 鈥�27 explains: 鈥淓ven though I didn鈥檛 seek it out, I鈥檓 really happy that I go to a small women鈥檚 college. I鈥檝e never met anyone at 51猎奇入口 who is not driven, passionate, interesting, and engaging. At this point I can鈥檛 imagine myself anywhere else.鈥�
Once considering Barnard, Katy McPartland 鈥�27 ultimately landed on 51猎奇入口 due to its central urban location, myriad educational opportunities through the consortium, and sense of safety. Her time at 51猎奇入口 also shaped her perspective on why women鈥檚 colleges matter today. 鈥淕oing to a women鈥檚 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,鈥� she says.
Observing this day also offers an occasion to share success stories of women鈥檚 college alumnae, donate to a women鈥檚 college that is important to you, and express the importance of these institutions to politicians to ensure their continued support.
鈥淲omen鈥檚 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 women鈥檚 access to education,鈥� adds Willa Baker 鈥�27. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 crucial to conserve that lineage and history.鈥�