Women, Gender, and the Transition to Coeducation at Haverford

Introduction

This primary source packet contains materials pertaining to the movement to coeducation at Haverford College as well campus issues related to sexism, gender and gender discrimination, and student identities. The majority of the materials focuses on the movement to coeducation in the 1970s and how it transformed Haverford’s relationship with Bryn Mawr College, the development of the Women*s Center, and the experiences of female-identifying students from the 1980s through the 2000s. 

These materials may support classes and research topics related to gender and identity studies, the history of higher education, and the history of Haverford College.

Packet contents:

• List of primary sources
• Guiding questions for engaging with the primary sources
• Resources which provide background on this topic:
• Ansell, Sara. “Coeducation and Its Controversial Roots at Haverford College: Gender Politics in Quaker Pedagogy.” Undergraduate thesis, Haverford College, 2005. https://scholarship.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/handle/10066/13436 (requires Haverford login credentials for access)
• College Women: Documenting the History of Women in Higher Education. https://collegewomen.org/
• Malkiel, Nancy Weiss. “Keep the Damned Women Out”: The Struggle for Coeducation. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2016. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1wf4dkw
• Moser, Abigail L. and Lynne M. Webb. “U.S. College Women’s Reports of Rape, Resistance, and Prevention: A Case Study of One Campus.” In Rape Culture 101: Programming Change, edited by Geraldine Cannon Becker and Angel T. Dionne, 75-100. Ontario: Demeter Press, 2020. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv12sdxdg.8 
• Baker, Christina N. “Gender Differences in the Experiences of African American College Students: The Effects of Co-ethnic Support and Campus Diversity.” Women, Gender, and Families of Color, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Spring 2015): 36-57. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/womgenfamcol.3.1.0036
• Byrd, W. Carson et al. Intersectionality and Higher Education: Identity and Inequality on College Campuses. Ithaca, NY: Rutgers University Press, 2019. https://tripod.haverford.edu/permalink/01TRI_INST/vi0ija/cdi_proquest_ebookcentral_EBC5963026

Primary Sources

Early Thoughts on Coeducation

“An Unfortunate Makeshift,” Haverford News, Volume 10, Number 21, January 14, 1919. [digitized version]

Robert M. Yoder, “Station-Wagon College,” Saturday Evening Post, October 8, 1949. Pamphlet Group 2: Coeducation. [digitized version]

The Shift to Coeducation at Haverford College

Haverford College coeducation questionnaire, ca. 1970. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 2, “Coeducation and Expansion, 1970.” [digitized version]

Commission on Women Students at Haverford meeting minutes, February 4, 1970. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 2, “Coeducation and Expansion, 1970.” [digitized version]

Commission on Women Students at Haverford meeting minutes, March 18, 1970. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 1, “Administrative Files–History of Coeducation and the Women’s Center at Haverford, 1970-1977.” [digitized version]

William Ambler memorandum to Louis Green regarding women asking about admission to Haverford, November 8, 1971. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 2, “Coeducation and Expansion, 1971.” [digitized version]

Cooperation Targets with Bryn Mawr, 1971-1973, released January 21, 1972. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 1, “Bryn Mawr-Haverford Cooperation, December 1971 to June 1972.” [digitized version]

Committee on Coeducation recommendations, February 16, 1972. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 1, “Bryn Mawr-Haverford Cooperation, December 1971 to June 1972.” [digitized version]

William Ambler memorandum to John Coleman on cooperation with Bryn Mawr, September 11, 1972.  HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 1, “Bryn Mawr-Haverford Cooperation, September 1972.” [digitized version]

John Coleman draft memorandum on cooperation with Bryn Mawr, September 20, 1972. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 1, “Bryn Mawr-Haverford Cooperation, September 1972.” [digitized version]

Mary Patterson McPherson letter to John Coleman, October 31, 1972. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 1, “Bryn Mawr-Haverford Cooperation, October 1972-December 1973.” [digitized version]

Haverford College faculty petition in support of coeducation, ca. November 1972. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 2, “Coeducation and Expansion, November 16-29, 1972.” [digitized version]

Letters from Margaret Mintz and Eva Gladstein to the Committee on Coeducation and Expansion and BiCo News, November 1972. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 2, “Coeducation and Expansion, 1971-1972.” [digitized version]

William Ambler memorandum to Gerhard Spiegler about admission of women to Haverford and Bryn Mawr, January 8, 1973. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 2, “Coeducation and Expansion, January to September 1973.” [digitized version]

Bryn Mawr College, Proposal for Increased Cooperation with Haverford College, April 25, 1973.  HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 1, “Bryn Mawr-Haverford Cooperation, October 1972-December 1973.” [digitized version]

William Ambler memorandum to Harmon Dunathan on educating women, September 6, 1973. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 2, “Coeducation and Expansion, January to September 1973.” [digitized version]

Packet sent to the Haverford College Board of Managers with memoranda on Bi-College cooperation, October 23, 1973. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 1, “Bryn Mawr-Haverford Cooperation, October 1972-December 1973.” [digitized version]

Documents from Bryn Mawr regarding Haverford’s move to coeducation, October 25, 1973. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 2, “Coeducation and Expansion, October to November 1973.” [digitized version]

Bonnie Schectman letter to William Ambler, October 29, 1973. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 2, “Coeducation and Expansion, October to November 1973.” [digitized version]

Proposal to Haverford College Board of Managers regarding coeducation and expansion, November 1, 1973. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 2, “Coeducation and Expansion, October to November 1973.” [digitized version]

Thomas D’Andrea memorandum on student aid for female students at Swarthmore College, November 14, 1973. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 2, “Coeducation and Expansion, October to November 1973.” [digitized version]

Haverford College Board of Managers Decision on Coeducation and Expansion, January 14, 1974. HCS-001-012, John R. Coleman presidential papers, Box 2, “Coeducation and Expansion, January 1974.” [digitized version]

Committee on Admissions Policy Outline of Concerns, October 4, 1976. HCS-002-003, Jane Widseth papers, Box 1, “Women on Campus.” [digitized version]

Steve Stecklow, “Haverford Plans to Admit Women Students in 1977,” Philadelphia Sunday Bulletin, December 12, 1976. Pamphlet Group 2: Coeducation. [digitized version]

Julie Liedman, “First Coeds Arrive at Haverford College,” Philadelphia Bulletin, September 4, 1977. Pamphlet Group 2: Coeducation. [digitized version]

Note of Concern from Female Faculty, ca. 1977-1978. HCS-002-003, Jane Widseth papers, Box 1, “Women on Campus.” [digitized version]

Rob Harris letter to John Whitehead, April 1978, on disillusionment felt by female transfer students at Haverford. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 1, “Administrative Files–History of Coeducation and the Women’s Center at Haverford, 1978-2002 and undated.” [digitized version]

Female-identifying Students at Haverford

Charles B. Fancher Jr., “A Revolution, But Campus is Quiet,” Philadelphia Inquirer, August 31, 1980. Pamphlet Group 2: Coeducation. [digitized version]

Women at Haverford pamphlet, ca. 1981. Pamphlet Group 2: Coeducation. [digitized version]

David Potter’s letter concerning the Barclay Hall rape incident, January 22, 1981. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 9, “Barclay Rape Incident, 1981-1986.” [digitized version]

Cindy Brown, “Mancini Calls for Women’s Affairs Director,” Bi-College News, February 27, 1981. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 1, “Administrative Files–Historic News Articles and Pamphlets, 1973-1993 and undated.” [digitized version]

Association for Women’s Concerns letter, March 4, 1981. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 1, “Administrative Files–History of Coeducation and the Women’s Center at Haverford, 1978-2002 and undated.” [digitized version]

Marilou Allen memorandum on the creation of the Women*s Center, October 13, 1981. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 1, “Administrative Files–History of Coeducation and the Women’s Center at Haverford, 1978-2002 and undated.” [digitized version]

Letter sent to Haverford students with statements on sexism by male students, ca. early 1980s. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 1, “Administrative Files–History of Coeducation and the Women’s Center at Haverford, 1978-2002 and undated.” [digitized version]

Feminist Group Meeting Minutes for September 25, 1983, defining the group and relationship to the Women*s Center. Feminist Group and Feminist Alliance records, Box 1, “Feminist Group Meeting Minutes and Organization Materials, 1983-1984.” [digitized version]

Feminist Group meeting minutes for February 9, 1984, discussing the Honor Council’s role in cases involving sexism. Feminist Group and Feminist Alliance records, Box 1, “Feminist Group Meeting Minutes and Organization Materials, 1983-1984.” [digitized version]

Herstory, 1984. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 4, “Herstory, 1983-1986.” [digitized version]

Comments from the Rape Culture Project, ca. 1985. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 7, “Rape Culture Materials, 1985 and undated.” [digitized version]

“Being female, minority and professional” event poster, October 1985. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 5, “Event Posters, 1983-2007.” [digitized version]

Women’s Center Advisory Committee meeting minutes, November 15, 1985. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 2, “Women’s Center Advisory Committee, 1985-1987.” [digitized version]

Feminist Group meeting minutes for November 18, 1985, with discussion of how to get minority women more involved in the group. Feminist Group and Feminist Alliance records, Box 1, “Feminist Group Meeting Minutes and Organization Materials, 1985-1987.” [digitized version]

Feminist Group budget form, ca. 1986. Feminist Group and Feminist Alliance records, Box 1, “Feminist Group Meeting Minutes and Organization Materials, 1985-1987.” [digitized version]

Women*s Center Report, May 21, 1987. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 1, “Administrative Files–History of Coeducation and the Women’s Center at Haverford, 1978-2002 and undated.” [digitized version]

Tallies of 1991 Coeducation Survey. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 6, “Coeducation Survey, 1991.” [digitized version]

The Other Side of Silence, Spring 1991. Feminist Group and Feminist Alliance records, Box 1, “Feminist Alliance Publications.” [digitized version]

“The Tenth Year of Coeducation: Celebration and Reflection” symposium mailer. April 1991. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 5, “Event Posters, 1983-2007.” [digitized version]

Vicissitudes, October 1991. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 5, “Newsletters, 1982-2005.” [digitized version]

1992 Survey on Sexual Violence, selected comments from students identifying as male. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 6, “Survey on Sexual Violence, 1992.” [digitized version]

1992 Survey on Sexual Violence, selected comments from students identifying as female. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 6, “Survey on Sexual Violence, 1992.” [digitized version]

Herstory, 1992. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 4, “Herstory, 1992-1999.” [digitized version]

Readings for participation in The Triple Consciousness of Women of Color Symposium, April 1992. Women of Color Group records, Box 1, “Women of Color Symposium, 1992.” [digitized version]

Letter to faculty asking them to consider how the management of the classroom and course material affects the women of the Tri-College community, May 18, 1992. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 1, “Administrative Files–History of Coeducation and the Women’s Center at Haverford, 1978-2002 and undated.” [digitized version]

Women of Color Group, Spring 1993 budgeting form. Women of Color Group records, Box 1, “Women of Color Group Organizational Materials, ca. 1993-1995.” [digitized version]

Women’s Center Events, 1993-1994. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 5, “Event Posters, 1983-2007.” [digitized version]

Francine Jacobs, Women*s Center End-of-Year Report, May 6, 1994. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 1, “Administrative Files–History of Coeducation and the Women’s Center at Haverford, 1978-2002 and undated.” [digitized version]

Sarah McMane, Women*s Center End-of-Year Report, May 1994. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 1, “Administrative Files–History of Coeducation and the Women’s Center at Haverford, 1978-2002 and undated.” [digitized version]

Survivors of Rape open letter, ca. 1995. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 3, “Correspondence, 1985-2009.” [digitized version]

Letter to Christine Choy by Women*s Center and Women of Color Group, December 8, 1995. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 3, “Correspondence, 1985-2009.” [digitized version]

Information on the Women*s Center, Fall 1999. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 1, “Administrative Files–History of Coeducation and the Women’s Center at Haverford, 1978-2002 and undated.” [digitized version]

Vicissitudes, Vol. 1, No. 1, February 2007. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 3, “Correspondence, 1985-2009.” [digitized version]

History of Coeducation at Haverford, ca. 2009. HCF-003, Women*s Center records, Box 1, “Administrative Files–History of Coeducation and the Women’s Center at Haverford, 1978-2002 and undated.” [digitized version]

Guiding Questions

• Who created these sources?  For what purpose?
• Describe the implied audience for these materials. What informs your opinion?
• How did Haverford’s move to coeducation affect its relationship with Bryn Mawr College?
• What issues did Haverford’s administration consider when planning for the admittance of female students? Are there issues or concerns they did not address in these materials?
• How did Haverford students conceptualize “women’s issues” over time?
• Who is involved in conversations around feminism, sexual discrimination and violence, and gender and gender identity on campus? Does this change over time?
• How does the language regarding issues of gender and identity change over time?
• How are the issues and concerns expressed in these materials still relevant today?
• Whose voices are heard in these sources? Whose are not?