By: James H. Capshew, University Historian Many people, in ways both large and small, have contributed much to the writing of the history of Indiana University over the years, and Daisy Beck is a fine example. In 1899, Daisy Woodward received her Bachelor of Arts degree and married Frank O. Beck (AB 1894, AM… Read more »
By: Ellie Kaverman, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2018, Journalism, Bloomington “Full-time women were practically nonexistent in the early history of the school, with exceptions such as Lulu Westenhaver, who was hired in 1920, and Esther Bray, hired by Herman B. Wells. Both were teachers of shorthand and typing.”—Indiana University Kelley School of Business: The First… Read more »
By: Alexandra Schrader-Dobris, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2021, History and Sociology, Bloomington Artistic expression at Indiana University fosters creativity among faculty and students. Many male artists experience praise for this creativity, however we neglect to honor women’s artistic legacies. My interest in art history inspires me to recognize reformer and art administrator, May Wright Sewall,… Read more »
By: Spencer Bowman, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2020, English and Media, Bloomington The Long Road to a Women’s Dormitory The dedication of Memorial Hall, Indiana University’s first women’s dormitory, on October 20, 1924 was a long time coming. Twelve years earlier, in 1912, Dean of Women Carrie L. DeNise researched the university’s housing at the… Read more »
By: Cassie Heeke, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2017, Journalism, Bloomington Dr. Agnes Ermina Wells is the first individual to be honored in the Bicentennial’s Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine) short film series. Wells, who trained as a mathematician and astronomer, also served as an educator, an administrator, and an advocate for equal rights… Read more »
By: Jordan Siden, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2017, History, Bloomington Decline: 1988-2002 The news was announced in the fall of 1987. After 37 years on the sidelines, women finally won the opportunity to race on bicycles in the inaugural Women’s Little 500. Though the race would comprise just half as many laps as the men’s… Read more »
By: Jordan Siden, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2017, History, Bloomington Beginnings: 1955 to 1971 “Women Behind the Men Make the Race a Success,” read the headline to Lynn Sproatt’s article in the Indiana Daily Student on April 17, 1955, a little over a month before the fifth running of the annual Little 500.[1] “For weeks… Read more »
By: Jordan Siden, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2017, History, Bloomington Crisis: 1978 to 1987 The man in the photograph clutches the tricycle between his legs. His open mouth and eyebrows raised in concentration accentuate his round face. Dressed in a polo shirt, short ’70s shorts, and a boyish baseball cap atop curly hair, his wiry… Read more »
By: Grace Shymanski, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2017, French and History, Bloomington The WRA Era, Extramural Era, and Association Eras Women’s Basketball continued to progress as a game and as the preferred pass time for collegiate women at Indiana. Organizations such as sororities, dormitories, and other unorganized groups of women continued to compete in basketball… Read more »
By: Grace Shymanski, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2017, French and History, Bloomington The inventor of basketball Dr. James Naismith once said: “Basketball really had its origin in Indiana, which remains the center of the sport”. Hoosiers have loved basketball since it was brought to the state by Nicholas McKay in 1892, a year after its… Read more »