That book was a gift from Maurice and Catherine Tauber, who run the lab, and it opened up a whole new perspective on "firsts" and the importance of those leaders and decision-makers who are capable of envisioning the future and who take the first steps to make that future happen.My campus, Cornell University, was built on the statement "I would found an institution where any.person can find instruction in any study" in 1865.
Ezra Cornell was a big advocate for women being admitted as equal students. Andrew Dickson White, the college's first President, and the Board of Trustees were not so open to bucking the generally accepted situation of the day (that women stayed at home), so Cornell did a fair amount of advocacy (his two daughters went to Vassar and his wife was in favor of equal education for women).
(picture is of Ida Metcalf, the 2nd woman in America to receive a Ph.D., studied mathematics at Cornell)In 1872 my campus became the first major eastern institution to admit women with men (when I was 16 years old and applying for colleges, I researched these types of things and actually made my decision to go to Cornell based on items like these).
A few years later, Henry Sage pledged cold hard cash (a quarter of a million dollars) to establish Sage College as a women's dormitory, and the cornerstone reads: In return for this gift, the Cornell University is pledged to provide and forever maintain facilities for the education of women as broadly as for men.
Kappa Alpha Theta was the first sorority on campus (1881) and Alpha Phi Alpha, the first African-American fraternity, was established at Cornell in 1906.
Alpha Phil Alpha is having their Centennial Celebration this year. The picture is of the "Seven Jewels" founders. www.alphaphialpha.netIn terms of "firsts", I can't help but think about what types of obstacles the people of those times were up against. I'm sure it was difficult and somewhat "distasteful" for some of the faculty (Prof. Goldwin Smith had major issues with women's education at the time) to get out of their comfort zone and move towards an unclear or uncertain future.
As women of color, we have many, many opportunities to become "firsts" in our school, work, community, professional or personal affiliations, or our industry. We also have many opportunities to band together with other sisters to forge connections and share in a vision of the future. Join a group, or if there isn't one, meet with other like-minded women for coffee or lunch, and communicate what you're thinking and feeling. Many good things come when all of us work together.
Transcript of Ezra Cornell's letter about Sage College on next page http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/Aap-exhibit/sage.html
Ezra Cornell to "The coming man and woman."
Ithaca, May 15, 1873.
Autograph letter signed.
To the Coming man & woman
On the occasion of laying the corner stone of the Sage College for women of Cornell University, I desire to say that the principle [sic] danger, and I say almost the only danger I see in the future to be encountered by the friends of education, and by all lovers of true liberty is that which may arise from sectarian strife.
From these halls, sectarianism must be forever excluded, all students must be left free to worship God, as their concience [sic] shall dictate, and all persons of any creed or all creeds must find free and easy access, and a hearty and equal welcome, to the educational facilities possessed by the Cornell University.
Coeducation of the sexes and entire freedom from sectarian or political preferences is the only proper and safe way for providing an education that shall meet the wants of the future and carry out the founders idea of an Institution where "any person can find instruction in any study." I herewith commit this great trust to your care.
Ezra Cornell
Comment Preview