The Transformation of Women’s Collegiate Education : The Legacy of Virginia Gildersleeve

This book examines the life of Virginia Gildersleeve, the dean of Barnard College from 1911 to 1947, who dedicated her life to expanding women’s collegiate opportunities to match those of men, and to allow women entry into professional and graduate programs. Gildersleeve was the first academic to use the media to define for the American public what higher education--and particularly what higher education for women--meant. The only woman to sign the United Nations charter, she made waves by implementing the first program to allow women into the Navy. This book explores how Gildersleeve’s life exemplifies the expanded and changing educational opportunities for women during the Progressive Era and early twentieth century, with the rise of feminists, progressive reformers, and educational philosophers. Although Gildersleeve is nearly forgotten, her importance to women’s higher education, women’s inclusion in the US military, and world peace is captured in this blend of historical analysis and life history. The Transformation of Women’s Collegiate Education 3 Acknowledgments 5 Contents 7 1 Introduction 8 Notes 12 2 Gildersleeve’s Early Education and Early Women’s Higher Education 13 Women’s Higher Education 16 Gildersleeve – and Women – Go to College 19 Conclusion 24 Notes 25 3 Dean Gildersleeve: Redefining a Women’s College 28 Defining “ELITE” 31 Barnard Students of the Progressive Era 34 Elite by Exclusion: Delimiting Enrollments 34 Changes to Barnard’s Academics 38 Interdisciplinary Studies 39 The Rise of the Social Sciences at Barnard 40 Student Self-Governance 42 Promoting Women in Graduate and Professional Programs 44 Progressive Education in Public 45 Elimination of Sororities 47 Elite Faculty 48 Married Women Faculty 50 Visiting Scholars 51 Cara Spurgeon: An Elite Love 52 Notes 55 4 Progressivism, Race, and Feminism 59 Progressivism 61 Specific Progressive Era Changes Affecting Women’s Higher Education 62 Change to the Economy 62 Change in Opportunities for Women 63 Change in Populations 63 Change to the Concept of Race 64 Change in Public Schooling 64 Change in Literacy and Media 65 Change in Status of Experts 66 Change in Higher Education 66 Virginia Crocheron Gildersleeve: Progressive Educator 67 Race 68 Feminism 71 Gildersleeve’s Feminist Strategy 76 Conclusion 78 Notes 78 5 Educational Philosophy and the Responsibility of Citizenship 81 Higher Education for Women 83 Gildersleeve’s Constructive Elements of the Curriculum 85 A Foundation Based Upon Factual Knowledge 86 A Mind Trained Through Mental and Academic Exercise 86 Experience in Attempting to Understand Multiple Perspectives and Viewpoints 86 Expertise in Evaluating, Assessing, and Judging Issues at Hand 87 Development of Historical Understandings 87 Intentional Opportunities and Exercises for Development for Personal Good 88 Intentional Opportunities and Exercises for Development of Spiritual and/or Community Good 88 The Ends of Education 93 Progressive Democracy and Citizenship 94 Notes 96 6 Higher Education and the War 98 Trained Brains 100 Elizabeth Reynard: A Growing Love 102 Women Join the Military 104 Campus Responses 108 After the War 108 Conclusion 110 Notes 111 7 The Legacy of Virginia Crocheron Gildersleeve 113 The Road to the United Nations 116 Whither Virginia Gildersleeve? 117 Pro-Palestinian Stance 118 “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Gildersleeve?” 121 Whatever Became of Virginia Gildersleeve? 126 Notes 128 Index 131 Gildersleeve's Early Education And Early Women's Higher Education -- Dean Gildersleeve : Redefining A Women's College -- Progressivism, Race, And Feminism -- Educational Philosophy And The Responsibility Of Citizenship -- Higher Education And The War -- The Legacy Of Virginia Crocheron Gildersleeve. Patrick Dilley. This Palgrave Macmillan Imprint Is Published By Springer Nature.--title Page Verso. This Book Examines The Life Of Virginia Gildersleeve, The Dean Of Barnard College From 1911 To 1947, Who Dedicated Her Life To Expanding Women's Collegiate Opportunities To Match Those Of Men, And To Allow Women Entry Into Professional And Graduate Programs. Gildersleeve Was The First Academic To Use The Media To Define For The American Public What Higher Education--and Particularly What Higher Education For Women--meant. The Only Woman To Sign The United Nations Charter, Gildersleeve Made Waves By Implementing The First Program To Allow Women Into The Navy. This Book Explores How Gildersleeve's Life Exemplifies The Expanded And Changing Educational Opportunities For Women During The Progressive Era And Early Twentieth Century, With The Rise Of Feminists, Progressive Reformers, And Educational Philosophers. Although Gildersleeve Is Nearly Forgotten, Her Importance To Women's Higher Education, Women's Inclusion In The Us Military, And World Peace Is Captured In This Blend Of Historical Analysis And Life History.--back Cover. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-5 Gildersleeve’s Early Education and Early Women’s Higher Education....Pages 7-21 Dean Gildersleeve: Redefining a Women’s College....Pages 23-53 Progressivism, Race, and Feminism....Pages 55-76 Educational Philosophy and the Responsibility of Citizenship....Pages 77-93 Higher Education and the War....Pages 95-109 The Legacy of Virginia Crocheron Gildersleeve....Pages 111-128 Back Matter....Pages 129-133