History of Empowering Women through Education
Before 1800, women had little opportunity for higher education. If a woman advanced her intellect, people thought, she would be “unsexed.” The way a woman set about building her self esteem and gaining self confidence was to cultivate the appropriate feminine arts like cooking, sewing, raising children and running a household.
In the American colonies girls were taught to read and write. The only way they could get higher education was if a seat was left over after all the boys were served. Many girls, then, attended school only when boys were working. Girls in laboring classes, like their brothers, got little education because parents couldn’t spare them. Children had few rights. Upper class women needed enough reading and writing to run a household and keep track of accounts. Their education tended towards arts such as watercolor, embroidery and porcelain painting.
In 1833 the first university in the nation accepted women students and the first woman soon received a bachelor’s degree. She surely had a doting father who believed his bright daughter deserved a chance to learn. The rest of the century saw a new first every decade: first to earn a medical degree, a Ph.D., a science degree, dentistry, architecture, mathematics and then psychology. The first woman appointed superintendent of public instruction and the first woman became a full professor with a salary equal to her male peers. She taught Latin, drawing and painting.
Women’s Status in Academia Improves
The American Association of University Women formed soon after, and has fought to improve women’s status in academia and the world ever since. At the turn of the 20th century progress accelerated: women established Greek societies for women, and earned degrees in engineering, library science and law.
By the time Title IX barred sex discrimination in schools in 1972, women were poised to earn the majority of bachelor’s degrees and soon comprised the majority of college students. Women’s studies sprang up at many universities to address inequality of women.
Where Women Rank in Higher Education
More American women than men hold Bachelor’s and higher degrees. Not only White women but African American, Asian and Hispanic women have accomplished many firsts as well. Women account for 38 percent of faculty in higher education over all. Women make up 46 percent of assistant professors, 38 percent of associate professors, and 23 percent of full professors. Hundreds of women’s studies programs exist around the country.
How did this happen? Women earned the job and did the work. Is the battle over? Nope. Women still fight sexist insults, discrimination in pay, and are clustered in lower status, lower paid non-tenured positions.
But really, congratulate yourself if you have earned that education and are helping other young women and men prepare for a better world. Amazing progress for just 10 generations. Women empowerment is gaining momentum, and women now feel empowered to build their confidence and self esteem and change the world.