"Personal Adventures in Race Relations" by Esther Popel Shaw (class of1919), Dickinson's first African American female graduate, was published in 1946. It addresses the sources of prejudice and racism, and she urges in her introduction that cooperation is necessary to overcome these detrimental assumptions regarding African Americans. "At a time when all our energies are needed to meet and solve together the crucial problems of the postwar period, we find a large element of the population torn by resentment, suspicion and hatred.

This letter, dated September 5, 1945, was written by Esther Popel Shaw, the first African American female graduate of Dickinson College 1919, to Mr. Boyd Lee Spahr of the Board of Trustees. Writing from her post at the National Association of College Women, Esther Popel Shaw defends herself and her race against Spahr's "apparent lack of awareness of what constitutes acceptable designations when racial references are involved" as well as racial injustice when it comes to college housing for African American students.

The April issue of the Women’s Newsletter features an editorial regarding the armed forces and a panel discussion sponsored by Dickinson’s R.O.T.C.

The 1890 November Dickinsonian once again brings forth the question of allowing the women of the college to have a literary society. This issue has become a "yearly issue" and comes up "as regularly as the foot ball discussion." After about three years of debate, people are still of divided opinion on the subject. The Dickinsonian believes though that this is "a case for individual belief" and it would not be fair if it were up to the faculty to decide.

The Women’s Newsletter reports that Dickinson women have contributed in all three roles of patient, volunteer and staff, at the Family Planning Service in Carlisle.  Doneby Smith and Elizabeth Rice report on Dickinson’s involvement with the clinic and describe the unique services that practitioners at Family Planning provide, including pelvic and breast examinations, treatment of infections, if needed, information on birth control methods and the birth control of their choice.  Women who come to the clinic are entering a secure environment, where in addition to the services mentioned alread

The "Editorials" section of the 1890 July issue of the Dickinsonian formally apologizes to the female students over their choice of words. They apologize for the lack of proof reading and for not writing about the female graduates using the feminine gender.

The 1889 Dickinsonian criticizes and attempts to give friendly advice to the new co-eds about their actions on campus. They warn them to "Don't be too fresh" and to "avoid all foolishness and flippancy which might place you in a false light...[and] provoke criticism." The Dickinsonian praises the co-eds of 1889 and 1891 as being prime examples of exemplar actions. To the new co-eds, they advise them to look towards these two classes and "consider the prejudice and opposition which they had overcome" and reflect on the respect with which they were treated. 

The 1889 Dickinsonian comments upon the Junior class's selection of editors to write for the Microcosm. Both Elizabeth Low and Jessica Longsdorff were selected for editors of the yearbook. The Dickinsonian believed that "the usual sound judgment of this class must have been temporarily obscured by some sudden streak of gallantry" to let two of the three co-eds participate.

The November 1889 issue of the Dickinsonian mentions briefly a fellow alumnus's comments on co-education. Richard Field had spoken out positively on his experiences with co-education at Dickinson. He stated that in his first year "the girls grabbed all the prizes" and in the second year "the fellows had to study twice as hard, in order not to get left. I am for it."

Gail Tyson writes a brief narrative which is featured in the April issue of the Dickinson Woman’s Newsletter and asks whether Girl Scouting is relevant for girls and young women in today’s world.  Her story recounts the invaluable experience she had being a part of Girl Scouts.  She says that her involvement with the organization played a huge role in the development of young women, challenging them physically and emotionally.  Tyson says that her involvement with Scouting programs continues today, as she is a troop leader and she has daughters of her own that are scouts.  Tyson’s narrative

After some consideration and review, O.D.K. considers a revised plan
for the all-College Senate. The women of Dickinson were not in favor of
the original plan which called for presidents of sororities to
“automatically receive seats in the Senate,” because that gave an unfair advantage to those already in a position of power.  Instead they hoped that
more un-affiliated women of the campus would be able to be involved.
After a meeting with O.D.K. and the Women’s Senate, it was decided that

The Dickinsonian calls for revisions of the all-College Senate plan proposed by Omicron Delta Kappa.

The Dickinsonian, still advocating a unified, all-College Senate,
writes an opinion in the November 30, 1934 issue.  The editor supports
the argument for a re-organized senate with documentation from the
minutes of Men’s Senate meetings; the responsibilities of the group and
the matters discussed and voted upon effected the women of Dickinson's student
body in addition to the men.  The author states, “there is no reason in
logic or justice why the situation of men voting on matters in which

Two advocators for the admittance of a women's literary society write for the 1889 March issue of the Dickinsonian. The writers speak out against the prejudice against women at Dickinson, and advocate for the creation of a literary society. They speak for the rights of the female students, that it is only fair they be able to create such a committee simply because they attend Dickinson. The other speaker discusses the benefit of allowing the literary society, for its diversity of opinion would provide an increase of interest in the society.

Thirty female Dickinson students attended a workshop at the Harrisburg Women’s Center entitled “Having Options as Women” on Saturday March 2, 1974, reports the Women’s Newsletter.  The goal of the workshop was to stimulate awareness and concern for women’s roles in the job market.  At the event, women were encouraged to strive for positions in decision or policy-making positions.  Resource women were available to speak with students on an individual basis at the workshop about developing many different skills to allow for the possibility of different career options.

“On December 1, five Dickinson women attended a symposium in Newark, New Jersey, entitled ‘The Momentum of Women in Medicine,’” reports Kathy Rosen in the Women’s Newsletter.  The symposium was given by the American Medical Women’s Association of the New Jersey Medical School and gave pre-med women a closer look into the medical profession from the points of view of female doctors.  Rosen says the experience was “truly enlightening” and that many of their questions regarding the medical profession and life as a doctor were answered.

The February 1889 issue of the Dickinsonian documents the occurrence that the co-ed bench was vandalized in the lecture room. The "muse of poetry" had paid a visit to Dickinson and wrote a poem on the bench about the co-eds. The poem states that "this is where they [co-eds] sit: They always want to go ahead, and won't be left a bit...they always are just right...and give the class much light."`

"Should there be a Ladies' Literary Society at Dickinson?" is a question that the 1889 Dickinsonian asks its readers. The article gives seven reasons for consideration towards a women's literary society. The Dickinsonian proclaims in one of its reasons that women's "exclusion from the societies is a direct injustice and loss to the lady students" and it is the "ladies' right to be thus admitted" because of the privileges given to them by studying at this institution.

In an insert in the Dickinson Women's Newsletter entitled CURRENT COURSES, classes that seem to have some emphasis on women's studies are listed for interested students.  Courses include, Introduction to American Studies, Women as a Symbol, Women in Scandanavian Literature, Psychology and Religion, Contemporary People of Latin America, Population, and Relations Between Men and Women.

Assistant professor of physical education, Katherine Barber, reveals her feelings about the practice of co-ed physical education classes in an interview.  Barber says that the idea is effective; “girls work harder to not bomb out in front of the guys [and] the men show up more.”  She also says that the situation is more interesting to teach in and that the program that is in use, is making athletics become appreciated.  However, Barber does mention surviving inequalities; men are provided with practice clothes and more liberty with athletic facilities while women are not.  Yet all in all, i