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The Frontier of Women's Education

They have attained intellectual ability. They exhibit a strong drive to achieve. But a survey of Greenville College freshmen women indicates these students rate their intellectual self-confidence much lower than their academic ability.

In 1855, at a time when society doubted the intellectual aptitude of women, Almira Blanchard Morse donated her inheritance to pioneering a women's college in the small frontier town of Greenville, Illinois . Established nearly fifteen years before Smith, Vassar, and Wellesley, (the Harvard, Yale, and Princeton of women's colleges in the East), Almira College was not a women's seminary, or academy. While seminaries and academies provided the equivalent of a high school education, Almira College was a four-year, liberal arts institution. Beyond the “feminine” topics of language, music, literature and art, women studied history, rhetoric, philosophy, political economy and the sciences, topics often considered unnecessary for a woman's education. The people of the day, of the area, were practical. Most thought women needed only enough schooling to read the Bible and sign their names.

Much has changed since 1855, in the country and in the college. Nationally, women have earned more bachelor's degrees than have men, every year for the last 23 years. The college is no longer Almira College but became the coeducational liberal arts institution, Greenville College , in 1892. Despite the change, much has stayed the same. Women still fight an educational battle, not against the powers of society, as in the past, but within themselves. While Almira Morse and Almira College endeavored to provide women with more opportunities, Greenville College and its faculty now seek to encourage the intellectual self-confidence that is essential to true success.

Seeking her Ph.D. in American Studies, Greenville College Professor Teresa Holden has researched education available to early American women. While recognizing the progress in women's education, she points towards the future. “Our society mirrors our laws,” said Professor Holden. “We have protections for women and opportunities. But we lack giving women a sense of empowerment, of leadership.”

As Almira Morse once sought to empower women through the opportunity of education, professors at Greenville College continue in her legacy. Offering advice, mentorship and encouragement, these professors seek to enable women, each in their own way.

“ Feminism is about women being able to make their own choices. We must affirm the desires of their hearts,” said Dr. Donna Oestreich-Hart, one of two women who completed their undergraduate work at Greenville College and returned to teach after receiving a Ph.D. “And women should be at peace with their choices. They shouldn't be made to feel guilty about being stay-at-home moms - or about going out and working - if that's what they really want to do.”

Dr. Susan Hughey-Rasler also began as an undergraduate at Greenville College . She recognizes the changes in women's education over the past twenty years. “Women have many more opportunities for advancement,” said Dr. Hughey-Rasler.

She advises women to be careful managers of their resources, to plan their lives to incorporate all of their goals. “The challenge is integrating family life and professional life. Women now think in terms of a full career and a full family life. That produces challenges unique to our generation.” She also believes it is important to help women achieve strong writing skills, realizing that when women find their written voice their self-confidence increases.

Professor Veronica Ross makes it a point to memorize students' names. She believes that finding value in students allows them to see value in themselves. Each of these professors enter the struggles of their students as champions to fight for the student's individual success. “We must make our own frontiers,” said Professor Ross. “The pioneer women didn't see the frontier. They had to go out and search for it. We must search for where we can make the greatest impact.”

Last updated: April 26, 2005