Introduction to the Project

 

This website expands on a former exhibit, “Active and Benevolent Ladies: A Short History of Women at Davidson College,” created by staff in 2011 to commemorate the inauguration of Davidson College’s first female-identifying president, Dr. Carol Quillen. Dr. Quillen stepped down from her role as college president in 2022 after over a decade of service to the institution. In 2023, Davidson College celebrated 50+ years of coeducation. 

 

In consideration of these milestones, this purpose of this website is to highlight a selection of stories of individual staff and faculty, student organizations, student leaders, and transformative college programs and initiatives documented in the Davidson College Archives and Special Collections to showcase women’s contributions to Davidson College since the institution opened its doors in 1837. The goal of this exhibit is to provide a general timeline of women’s history at Davidson College while emphasizing humanizing stories of women who have made lasting contributions to the institution when documentation allows. Although the creation of this site coincides with the anniversary of women enrolling in the college as degree earning students in 1972, the purpose of this site is to highlight a range of different faculty, staff, and student stories from both before and after this time period. 

 

Davidson Women's Committee Politics Luncheon flyer, 2008.
Lula Bell Houston Promotional Brochure, 2009.
"Two Special Ladies." Quips and Cranks, 1982.
Lavender Lounge, 2014, from the Davidsonian
Laundry Staff Member (Possibly Dianne Forney), 1985.
Laundresses in the 1920 Davidson Town Census.
"Pat Drake is First Women's PE Teacher," Davidson Update, October 1974.
Susan Reid Varsity Letter, 1974-75.
According to the 1909 Quips and Cranks, Miss Bertha Fleming was pursing the A.B. course of study, while Miss Susan Summers pursued a B.S. degree. These women were following in the footsteps of Brown and Summers, undertaking the degree course of study, without receiving a formal degree. Nevertheless, these women were the first acknowledged in the college annual.
1909 Quips and Cranks Yearbook
In 1907, Miss Cornelia Shaw (1869-1937) joined the staff of Davidson as the first female full-time employee, the first librarian (1907-1936), and the first registrar. Shaw's primary responsibility was to run the library full-time. Preceding her, faculty and students had looked after the library in their "spare time." Arriving at Davidson at age 40, after serving as the editor of the Charlotte newspaper Presbyterian Standard, Shaw took "unquestioned control" over the operation of the library.
Cornelia Shaw
Dr. C. Louise Nelson became the first female instructor to reach the rank of full professor, in the Department of Economics.
Dr. C. Louise Nelson
Davidson College hired Dr. Carol Quillen as full Professor of History, and as the first female president of Davidson College.
President Carol Quillen
Reverend Brenda Tapia, 1986.

This exhibit takes care to amplify the stories of women whose contributions have been overlooked in tellings of Davidson College history focused solely on coeducation, including:

 

 

While this website aims to address the wide array of identities related to the concept of women at Davidson College, we acknowledge there are many experiences that remain undocumented and untold in this exhibit. We honor those experiences and welcome feedback and contributions as we work to build more inclusive spaces and collections. Please contact us at archives@davidson.edu.  

 

Advisory Statement:

Davidson College Archives and Special Collections contain materials originally published in yearbooks, newspapers, and other Davidson College publications. You may encounter upsetting racist, oppressive, and outdated representations in these documents. They are included for historical accuracy and do not represent the views of the current Davidson College community, which seeks to honor the dignity of all persons and commits itself to a quest for truth and building of a more just and humane future. 

 

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