Young Women's Christian Association

A Female Graduate of the Class of 1923 Described Herself as an Activist While Attending Dickinson College

Date
March 1979

In her 1979 Women as Leaders Survey sent out by Dickinson College, a graduate of 1923 remembers her days at Dickinson. When asked about the issues of the day, the alum remembers, "our topic of debate was the Equal Rights Amendment."

She goes on to recall the anger at there being two senates: a women's and a school senate run by men. To protest the issue, a group of women attended the men's senate.

Olive C. Taylor's Senior Oration "The Prostestant Sisterhood," 1900

Date
1900

In her senior oration "The Protestant Sisterhood," Olive Taylor discussed the centrality of women in religious communities throughout history. She argues that women's activity as reformers and missionaries within the church in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was unprecedented. For the first time, she asserted, protestant women were leaving the private sphere and working independently within the public sphere. However, Olive argued, women were still being the motherly figures they were born to be.

"The Y.W.C.A. and Religous Life" in " Women at Dickinson College" - by Josephine Brunyate Meredith

Date
circa 1935

In her essay, "Women at Dickinson College," Josephine Brunyate Meredith took an in depth look at female students' role in religious life. She first looked at the Y.W.C.A., citing them as "somewhat of a problem" because they did not "reach many girls in a vital way...and lack definite objectives." However, the joint Y.W.C.A. and Y.M.C.A. meetings were well executed and well attended. She also discussed the organization of student called the "Freshman Commission." The organization held a weekly service on Sunday evenings in Metzger Hall.

Dean Josephine B. Meredith's Report "Women at Dickinson College", circa 1935

Date
circa 1935

During her time as the Dean of Women at Dickinson College, Dean Josephine Meredith wrote a report entitled "Women at Dickinson College." Dean Meredith, an early female graduate of Dickinson College (class of 1901), utilized both her experiences as a female student and the Dean of Women to compile a report on the conditions for and experiences of female students. Thus, in 18 sections, she highlights living conditions, extracurricular life, social life, religious life, and academic life at the College.

The Y.W.C.A., 1923

Date
1923

This photo is of the Y.W.C.A. sitting on the porch of Metzger Hall. The women in the image are not identified.

Women's Gymnastic Exhibition, 1926

Date
April 12, 1926

In April 12, 1926, the women of Dickinson College held an "Exhibiton of Gymnastics" at the Y.W.C.A. Gym.