A Men’s College with Women? Over 50 Years of Women’s Leadership and Education at Bowdoin

Detailing the history of women at Bowdoin before and after the implementation of coeducation fifty years ago, this exhibition celebrates the accomplishments of Bowdoin women as they fought for their place at a previously established men’s college. Learn about the women who were here before 1971, the transition to coeducation, and the pioneers who led Bowdoin into a new era.

  • an Orient article called "Men's College with Women"
    Fifty Years of Coeducation
  • A photo of the Society of Bowdoin Women with three women seated in the front row and six women standing in the back row
    Before They Were Students
  • Saddie Smith, one of the first Black women to graduate from Bowdoin, depicted in the student yearbook from 1975
    The Fight for Coeducation
  • The front cover of the student publication To the Root feminist issue
    Student Leadership
  • Matilda White Riley teaches a sociology seminar
    Academics, Faculty, and Staff
  • An Orient Article entitled "Co-eds Barred from Infirmary"
    Unforeseen Challenges
  • a poster for the Lived Name initiative
    Gender Inclusivity Movements
  • a timeline
    Timeline

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A Note on Sources: The materials in Bowdoin’s historical collections routinely reflect dominant perspectives due to historical collecting practices. It is the work of scholars, librarians, and archivists to build representative collections and to read through the absences to build a broader understanding of our history. Documents from the College Archives reflect the fact that Bowdoin College was an all-men institution until 1971 with predominately white students, faculty, and administration. 

This exhibition draws on the rare book, manuscript, and archival collections of the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library and was curated by Special Collections & Archives Curatorial Intern, Katie Reid ’23 and Marieke Van Der Steenhoven, Special Collections Education and Outreach Librarian.