Microcosm

In the history of the sophomore class in 1898, the historian decided to comment upon the female sophomores. The historian noted that the number of female students had gone down since freshman year, but the "quality of the goods is still away above par." It is further commented upon that the Dickinson College female students are so great that they never faint from dissecting frogs or "never even budge when a mouse gets astray in the classroom." From Microcosms past, these class histories are now writing more about their female "co-ed" students than ever before.

The history of the senior class of 1898 in the Microcosm discussed a social event thrown by the female students at Dickinson. On October 12, 1897 these females students provided an "evening of intense social enjoyment" in their dormitory. All sorts of entertainments ensued, and that the "music was in abundance". It was also noted that the "girls were at their best that night," and that the College President's wife and other notable townspeople graced the event with their prescence.

The 1890 Microcosm shows that there were two woman on the editorial staff of the Microcosm. Both Jessica Longsdorff and Elizabeth Low served as editors for the yearbook.

For the past few years, the Microcosm had published a section with bogus definitions of various words or phrases from the college life. This time they decided to define the word, "co-ed." In the Microcosm they defined a "co-ed" as a "female student at college, so called because most of her beauty is artificial." This statement, of course, would have caused quite a stir on campus, so a side note is included. The "N.B." affirms that, "this meaning has become obsolete since the present ladies have entered college."

The Microcosm pokes fun at the Junior Class by publishing their "statistics." By discussing each member's "future occupation," "how they spend their nights," and "chief characteristics," they make fun of each individual. One of the main targets was, of course, the only class co-ed, Marie E. Lloyd. Her "statistics" state that her future occupation was to be President of the United States, obviously making fun of her female status in society. Marie also apparently spends her night "entertaining the boys" with her chief characteristic being "heart breaking."

Hattie Spangler Shelley wrote this poem to try to make men and women think about if their roles were reversed. Men should "get to the kitchen and cook!" instead of having "politics aching [their] brain." This is because it is "the new woman's hour to reign" and take over the male lifestyle. The poem pretty much describes how life would be like if the man was performing all of the "standard" female roles and if the women in turn had their roles. The woman in the poem now "buys fishing tackle and books" instead of managing the household.

The author of this sonnet decided to dedicate it to the female students at Dickinson. Instead of praising their intelligence or hard-work in this sonnet, rather he decides to praise their physical attributes. He comments upon their "fairer brows" and "enchanting movements" rather than their accomplishments as students.

The Y. W. C. A. was founded in 1895, and after two years of running, the organization is still going strong. To keep this organization afloat, they have sent their delegates to State Conventions and attend regular meetings with the Y. M. C. A. of the College. At this point, the membership was still increasing and it was generally felt that it "insures a pleasantness" the college life.

Around the time that the Harman Literary Society was being created at the college, the Preparatory School also formed their own literary society. The society, named Sigma Epsilon Literary Society, included all female students. The officers were President M. Lou Sheets, Vice-President Ruth D. Barrett, Secretary Emma S. Liggett, Treasurer Mary C. Gerber, and Critic E. Maud Soper. The other members include Emma Frances Reeme, Mary C. Love, Helen Whiting, Emma F. Leidigh, Gertrude L. Super, Edith M. Super, and Dora M. Bell.

The Harman Literary Society was first conceptualized on October 21, 1896 by the ladies of Dickinson College. The female students first met in Denny Hall for the purpose of organizing a literary society and were allowed to make a temporary one. The society is named after Dr. Henry Harman, a professor of Greek and Hebrew who was also a member of the Class of 1848. Dr. Harman was known as a staunch opponent of coeducation, but the Professor did give his approval for use of his name. On November 11, 1896 the committee was formed and their constitution formally adopted.