Interview with Professor Helen Cafferty, 2011
When Bowdoin hired Helen Cafferty in 1972, she was one of the first women faculty members at the College. She was also the first woman to rise through all levels of teaching, starting as an instructor and advancing to assistant, associate, and full professor. She assumed a chaired professorship, the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of German and the Humanities, in 1990. Cafferty has made many innovative contributions to Bowdoin's academic life. As assistant dean of faculty from 1987 to 1990, she made great strides in diversifying the Bowdoin faculty and played a leading role in initiating Women's studies at the College. In this interview conducted by Skyler Walley, Class of 2012, Cafferty shares her introduction to Bowdoin, the experience of hypervisibility, and her navigation of a workplace dominated by men.
🔊 Listen below to excerpts of an interview with Cafferty, conducted by Skyler Walley '12
Helen Cafferty with Professor Hodge and Professor Beckee, photograph, 1985