Education
Fully co-educational college curricula are a far more recent development than modern students recognize. Until the middle of the 20th century, men and women shared some basic classes, but also received gender-specific education. At Gallaudet in particular, trade classes such as printing and agriculture were taught to men only, while women took classes in sewing and other domestic arts.
Because women were expected to marry and become homemakers, it was deemed that their higher education did not need to include vocational training. Men and women also experienced differences in their dormitories - although men could come and go as they pleased, women had to sign in and out, and had to be in before curfew.
For many years, the Dean of Women protected her young charges; both Elizabeth Peet, H-'23, H-'50, and Elizabeth Benson, C-'26, G-'32, H-'62 were known to be strict but loving guardians of the female students on campus.
Women have sought sisterhood on campus since 1892, when the first women's-only club was formed. Seven sororities have called Gallaudet home.
This includes Phi Kappa Zeta, Delta Epsilon, Delta Phi Epsilon, Chi Omega Psi, Alpha Sigma Theta, Delta Zeta, and the African-American focused Delta Sigma Theta.
These organizations provide opportunities for leadership to their members, encouraging them to perform community service and socialize in a women-focused environment.
When the college at Kendall Green opened in the fall of 1864, three women, all former students of the primary school, attended classes. Anne Szymanoskie, E-'70, left after a few years to take a job with the federal government, and Emma Speake, E-'70, and Adelaide Smith, E-'70, each left after marriage; Lydia Kennedy, E-'71, also left before graduation.
This track record prompted Edward Miner Gallaudet to state that women were not suitable for higher education, and he barred them from admission until 1886.
When women were finally admitted on a conditional basis, they experienced hazing from the male students and were required to have chaperones to participate in any extra-curricular activities. Admission for women was made permanent in 1889, but restrictions on their movements continued for many more years.
In 1892, May Martin Stafford, '95, G-'00, conceived a club that would be solely for women, so chaperones would not be required.
This club became known as the O.W.L.S., and Agatha Tiegel Hanson, '93, served as its first president.
The first woman to graduate from Gallaudet was Alto Lowman, who completed a three-year degree program in 1892; Agatha Tiegel Hanson was the first to complete a full Bachelor's degree, which typically earns her notice over Lowman as the first female graduate.
The first African-American woman to graduate was Ida Gray Hampton, '57.