This blog post, "Why Women Should Consider a Women’s College," is written by a College Admissions Consultant, Todd Johnson. I enjoyed his blog post as well as the comment posted on March 20, 2013 -- “So true - my daughter didn’t apply to any women’s colleges (or a small college) as I urged her to. After one semester elsewhere she transferred to Smith and loved it there.”
Blog post highlights:
“Let me tell you a quick story about my oldest daughter who I encouraged to at least consider several all women’s colleges. She flatly refused despite my best efforts. Several years later our family was visiting Smith College with my younger daughter. After the tour my oldest daughter, at that point a junior at a co-ed college, admitted that if she had visited the campus before she applied to college she may very well have applied to Smith.
Give the all women’s colleges a chance. You never know when you might just find out that your perceptions need to be changed.”
To read Todd’s entire post, click here.
Smith College is a women’s college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. Click here to learn more about Smith College.
Todd Johnson provides college admissions counseling for College Admissions Partners. To learn more about Todd, click here.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Women’s College? Challenge Accepted
A Scripps College student, Lily Foss ’13 shares with you her thoughts and experience at Scripps College, a women’s college located in Claremont, California in her opinion piece, "Women’s College? Challenge Accepted."
Click here to read "Women’s College? Challenge Accepted."
To learn more about Scripps College, click here.
Click here to read "Women’s College? Challenge Accepted."
To learn more about Scripps College, click here.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Girl Power! Advantages of Choosing a Woman's College
Kelli O’Connor, a freelance writer based in Rochester, NY wrote an insightful article entitled, “Girl power! Advantages of choosing a woman's college” and I wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!
To read the entire article, click here.
Article Highlight
In the classroom
“The reason you are going to college is for an education. Presumably, you will choose a major before you choose a college. Your chosen field may lead you to a women’s college. A higher percentage of students at all-female schools are enrolled in the math, science and engineering programs that are traditionally dominated by men. In 2012, the Girl Scouts of America revealed research that shows women are underrepresented in STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Interestingly, employers are vying for women graduating from STEM programs and, overall, women in STEM careers are better compensated than in other fields. To pursue a STEM career on a women’s college campus will provide you with ample opportunities upon graduation.”
Girl power!
Advantages of choosing a woman's college
By Kelli O’Connor
Published 3/7/2013 on the NextStepU.com Web site
To read the entire article, click here.
Article Highlight
In the classroom
“The reason you are going to college is for an education. Presumably, you will choose a major before you choose a college. Your chosen field may lead you to a women’s college. A higher percentage of students at all-female schools are enrolled in the math, science and engineering programs that are traditionally dominated by men. In 2012, the Girl Scouts of America revealed research that shows women are underrepresented in STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Interestingly, employers are vying for women graduating from STEM programs and, overall, women in STEM careers are better compensated than in other fields. To pursue a STEM career on a women’s college campus will provide you with ample opportunities upon graduation.”
Girl power!
Advantages of choosing a woman's college
By Kelli O’Connor
Published 3/7/2013 on the NextStepU.com Web site
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Why Are Women’s Colleges Necessary?
A young woman from the United Kingdom asks the question, “Why are women’s colleges necessary?” and Gretchen Van Ness, a classmate of mine, answers.
“There's no easy answer to your question, but I'll try. First consider the research that shows that women who have attended women's colleges disproportionately achieve success in their fields. Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and many other women "firsts" are women's college graduates.
We live in such a gendered world that it is almost invisible to us, but most would agree that women are still held to very different expectations than men, girls are treated very differently than boys, sexual harassment is prevalent in high school, middle school, and even elementary school, etc. There is virtually no time in a young woman's life when she can just BE -- be herself without having to look pleasing to someone else, be interested in something without worrying whether a boy will think she's weird or too smart, be adventurous without worrying that she's not feminine enough, be a leader without worrying about being called some pretty awful names. Ironically, women's colleges give women perhaps the only chance in their lives to be free of gender expectations and limitations.
When it's women everywhere doing everything, you are no longer a woman scientist or a female athlete or a girl gymnast -- you are a scientist or an athlete or a gymnast. Every leadership position on campus is held by women. Everyone who speaks in class is a woman. Every A the professor gives, in math or biology or Spanish or history, is given to a woman. If anything is done on campus, from the college paper to student government, it is done by women. Living and breathing that experience changes you because you get to be the norm, the universal, the assumed gender in every story you're hearing or telling.
And it's not a nunnery. Most young women who go to women's colleges have male relatives, attended public schools, worked jobs in high school next to young men, etc., and at college they have male professors, work jobs next to men, date men, etc. Most young women who go to women's colleges have a pretty positive view of men. Because they have had the experience of a women's college, they are prepared for the real world in a way that many young women are not.
Do you know what the best preparation for life is? Knowing yourself. It's just about impossible to grow up in our culture not knowing a lot about boys and men. But it's almost impossible in our culture to grow up knowing everything you are capable of if you are a woman. As long as that remains true, there will be a place for women's colleges.”
“There's no easy answer to your question, but I'll try. First consider the research that shows that women who have attended women's colleges disproportionately achieve success in their fields. Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and many other women "firsts" are women's college graduates.
We live in such a gendered world that it is almost invisible to us, but most would agree that women are still held to very different expectations than men, girls are treated very differently than boys, sexual harassment is prevalent in high school, middle school, and even elementary school, etc. There is virtually no time in a young woman's life when she can just BE -- be herself without having to look pleasing to someone else, be interested in something without worrying whether a boy will think she's weird or too smart, be adventurous without worrying that she's not feminine enough, be a leader without worrying about being called some pretty awful names. Ironically, women's colleges give women perhaps the only chance in their lives to be free of gender expectations and limitations.
When it's women everywhere doing everything, you are no longer a woman scientist or a female athlete or a girl gymnast -- you are a scientist or an athlete or a gymnast. Every leadership position on campus is held by women. Everyone who speaks in class is a woman. Every A the professor gives, in math or biology or Spanish or history, is given to a woman. If anything is done on campus, from the college paper to student government, it is done by women. Living and breathing that experience changes you because you get to be the norm, the universal, the assumed gender in every story you're hearing or telling.
And it's not a nunnery. Most young women who go to women's colleges have male relatives, attended public schools, worked jobs in high school next to young men, etc., and at college they have male professors, work jobs next to men, date men, etc. Most young women who go to women's colleges have a pretty positive view of men. Because they have had the experience of a women's college, they are prepared for the real world in a way that many young women are not.
Do you know what the best preparation for life is? Knowing yourself. It's just about impossible to grow up in our culture not knowing a lot about boys and men. But it's almost impossible in our culture to grow up knowing everything you are capable of if you are a woman. As long as that remains true, there will be a place for women's colleges.”
Monday, March 25, 2013
Women’s Colleges: Relevant, Rewarding, and Definitely NOT Old Fashioned!
Here’s another article I hope you enjoy.
From the article:
What kind of student should consider a women’s college?
Agnes Scott College: Every high school girl should consider a women’s college. Women who want an environment where it’s not only okay to be a smart girl, but the norm to be smart will find a great fit at a women’s college. I think at heart, students who come to women’s colleges are ones who want to put their education and academic experience above all else. That’s not say you won’t have a lot fun while a student, but your classmates are going to be focused on academic excellence — so you should be serious about being a student.
Hollins University: The type of student who should consider a women’s college is one who wants discussion instead of lectures, hard questions instead of pat answers. Instead of being told, they want to see for themselves. Instead of play-by-the-rules learning, they want to discover things for themselves. We seek out women with strong personalities and ambitious goals, and who want to express themselves in their own unique way.
Saint Mary’s College: A young woman who wants to be engaged (both inside and outside of the classroom) and is interested in developing her leadership skills. At Saint Mary’s, everything that is done by students is done by women. If there is a student initiative, every facet of it will be planned and executed by women. That alone is fundamental and important — it builds confidence and grows leadership skills.
Sweet Briar: I truly believe every young woman owes it to herself to at least consider a women’s college. It’s a powerful experience, to live and study in a place that is completely focused on the success of young women.
To read the entire article, click here.
Click here to learn more about Agnes Scott College.
Click here to learn more about Hollins University.
Click here to learn more about Saint Mary’s College.
Click here to learn more about Sweet Briar College.
From the article:
What kind of student should consider a women’s college?
Agnes Scott College: Every high school girl should consider a women’s college. Women who want an environment where it’s not only okay to be a smart girl, but the norm to be smart will find a great fit at a women’s college. I think at heart, students who come to women’s colleges are ones who want to put their education and academic experience above all else. That’s not say you won’t have a lot fun while a student, but your classmates are going to be focused on academic excellence — so you should be serious about being a student.
Hollins University: The type of student who should consider a women’s college is one who wants discussion instead of lectures, hard questions instead of pat answers. Instead of being told, they want to see for themselves. Instead of play-by-the-rules learning, they want to discover things for themselves. We seek out women with strong personalities and ambitious goals, and who want to express themselves in their own unique way.
Saint Mary’s College: A young woman who wants to be engaged (both inside and outside of the classroom) and is interested in developing her leadership skills. At Saint Mary’s, everything that is done by students is done by women. If there is a student initiative, every facet of it will be planned and executed by women. That alone is fundamental and important — it builds confidence and grows leadership skills.
Sweet Briar: I truly believe every young woman owes it to herself to at least consider a women’s college. It’s a powerful experience, to live and study in a place that is completely focused on the success of young women.
To read the entire article, click here.
Click here to learn more about Agnes Scott College.
Click here to learn more about Hollins University.
Click here to learn more about Saint Mary’s College.
Click here to learn more about Sweet Briar College.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Girls Rule - Women's College Remain A Viable Option
I hope you enjoy this article by Julie Bogart as much as I did.
From the article:
Unique Programs
"Women's colleges may offer certain advantages and opportunities that coed institutions don't. While some schools provide courses that focus on women's contributions in history and society, others offer formalized leadership programs or certificates.
At Salem College, for example, the Center for Women Writers features celebrated women authors who speak to students and conduct master classes, according to Watts. The college also houses the Women in Science and Math Program, which is "designed to offer academic and career support for Salem students interested in science and mathematics.""
To read the entire article, click here.
To learn more about Salem College, located in Winston-Salem, NC, click here.
From the article:
Unique Programs
"Women's colleges may offer certain advantages and opportunities that coed institutions don't. While some schools provide courses that focus on women's contributions in history and society, others offer formalized leadership programs or certificates.
At Salem College, for example, the Center for Women Writers features celebrated women authors who speak to students and conduct master classes, according to Watts. The college also houses the Women in Science and Math Program, which is "designed to offer academic and career support for Salem students interested in science and mathematics.""
To read the entire article, click here.
To learn more about Salem College, located in Winston-Salem, NC, click here.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
There Remains a Place for Women’s Colleges
James F. Conneely, President of Notre Dame of Maryland University, a women's college located in Baltimore, MD wrote an article entitled, "There Remains a Place for Women’s Colleges." And was published on the Notre Dame of Maryland University's Web site on January 28, 2013.
Click here to read to read the article.
Click here to learn more about Notre Dame of Maryland University.
Click here to read to read the article.
Click here to learn more about Notre Dame of Maryland University.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
On Our Own: Women's Colleges in the 21st Century
From The Webbs Schools Magazine: On Our Own: Women's Colleges in the 21st Century
Published on March 7, 2013 To read the entire article, click here.
Highlights Include
Then and Now
"In the 1800s, women’s colleges were almost the only choice for women seeking higher education; few universities accepted female students. Some of the earliest women’s colleges, like Mount Holyoke, were originally seminaries. Others were (and still are) affiliated with established colleges—created, in some cases, as an alternative to admitting women to existing all-male institutions.
Today, the need for women’s colleges is less obvious. Most American universities are coeducational and women outnumber men on college campuses. Some traditional women’s colleges have disappeared, while others are now coed.
However, as many women have realized, just because an institution is open to women does not necessarily mean it is welcoming or supportive.
Researchers have noted that the climate for female students on coed campuses is often less than ideal, with negative consequences for women’s academic achievement and even their physical health.
Furthermore, while about 60 percent of college students are female, teaching methods at coed universities predominantly favor the learning styles of male students.
Nowhere is the impact of these disparities more pronounced than in science, technology, engineering and math. A recent study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research notes that female students are far less likely than men to receive under graduate degrees in these disciplines and warns that the number of women in math and computer-related fields has actually fallen since 2000.
An Academic Edge
Several recent studies on women in higher education have concluded that female students would be better served by a classroom environment tailored to the ways most women learn, with greater emphasis on participation, collaboration, and hands-on learning. What these studies seldom mention is that women’s colleges have offered just such an environment for decades.
Unlike most coed universities, the pedagogy at women’s colleges is tailored to the learning styles of female students.
“Smith professors know how to teach women and how to keep them engaged in the classroom,” says alumna Jumana Misleh. She recalls: I never considered myself strong in mathematics, but somehow I managed to earn A’s in Calculus I and Calculus II, and I credit my professors’ innovative teaching style for my success. ... Things were explained visually, using computer modeling programs and other hands-on exercises, and aside from exams that would test rote memorization, students were also expected to complete analytical research projects where we applied our mathematical skills to real-world problems.
That was the first time in my life that I was confident in a math class! Such results are no accident. “At a women’s college, every resource is dedicated to the education of and opportunities for women,” says Wellesley College Dean of Admissions Jennifer Desjarlais. Smith’s Debra Shaver adds that pedagogy at women’s colleges also tends to be more innovative than that at coed universities, pointing to examples like Smith’s open curriculum, which encourages students to take classes in many different fields, not just a narrow range of prerequisites. “It changes the dynamic in the classroom,” says Shaver. “Every student in every class wants to be there; she is not there because she needs to check off a requirement.”"
To read the entire article, click here.
The Webb Schools, located in Claremont, California is comprised of two private schools for grades 9-12; The Webb School of California for boys was established in 1922, and the Vivian Webb School for girls in 1981.
To learn more about The Webb Schools, click here.
Published on March 7, 2013 To read the entire article, click here.
Highlights Include
Then and Now
"In the 1800s, women’s colleges were almost the only choice for women seeking higher education; few universities accepted female students. Some of the earliest women’s colleges, like Mount Holyoke, were originally seminaries. Others were (and still are) affiliated with established colleges—created, in some cases, as an alternative to admitting women to existing all-male institutions.
Today, the need for women’s colleges is less obvious. Most American universities are coeducational and women outnumber men on college campuses. Some traditional women’s colleges have disappeared, while others are now coed.
However, as many women have realized, just because an institution is open to women does not necessarily mean it is welcoming or supportive.
Researchers have noted that the climate for female students on coed campuses is often less than ideal, with negative consequences for women’s academic achievement and even their physical health.
Furthermore, while about 60 percent of college students are female, teaching methods at coed universities predominantly favor the learning styles of male students.
Nowhere is the impact of these disparities more pronounced than in science, technology, engineering and math. A recent study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research notes that female students are far less likely than men to receive under graduate degrees in these disciplines and warns that the number of women in math and computer-related fields has actually fallen since 2000.
An Academic Edge
Several recent studies on women in higher education have concluded that female students would be better served by a classroom environment tailored to the ways most women learn, with greater emphasis on participation, collaboration, and hands-on learning. What these studies seldom mention is that women’s colleges have offered just such an environment for decades.
Unlike most coed universities, the pedagogy at women’s colleges is tailored to the learning styles of female students.
“Smith professors know how to teach women and how to keep them engaged in the classroom,” says alumna Jumana Misleh. She recalls: I never considered myself strong in mathematics, but somehow I managed to earn A’s in Calculus I and Calculus II, and I credit my professors’ innovative teaching style for my success. ... Things were explained visually, using computer modeling programs and other hands-on exercises, and aside from exams that would test rote memorization, students were also expected to complete analytical research projects where we applied our mathematical skills to real-world problems.
That was the first time in my life that I was confident in a math class! Such results are no accident. “At a women’s college, every resource is dedicated to the education of and opportunities for women,” says Wellesley College Dean of Admissions Jennifer Desjarlais. Smith’s Debra Shaver adds that pedagogy at women’s colleges also tends to be more innovative than that at coed universities, pointing to examples like Smith’s open curriculum, which encourages students to take classes in many different fields, not just a narrow range of prerequisites. “It changes the dynamic in the classroom,” says Shaver. “Every student in every class wants to be there; she is not there because she needs to check off a requirement.”"
To read the entire article, click here.
The Webb Schools, located in Claremont, California is comprised of two private schools for grades 9-12; The Webb School of California for boys was established in 1922, and the Vivian Webb School for girls in 1981.
To learn more about The Webb Schools, click here.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Women's Underrepresentation in Politics Makes Women's Colleges Relevant
If you are considering a career in politics, I’m sure you will find Hannah Smith’s article (opinion piece) insightful. The Huffington Post published her article “Women’s Underrepresentation in Politics Makes Women’s Colleges Relevant,” on February 12, 2013. Ms. Smith is currently attending Bryn Mawr College, a women's liberal arts college, located in Bryn Mawr, PA (outside of Philadelphia, PA).
From the Huffington Post article:
“Women’s colleges do more than just four years of educating; they have been proven to foster leadership skills and self-esteem among their students and alumnae, which is important considering lack of confidence is one of the major reasons why women do not pursue public office.”
To read Ms. Smith's article, click here.
To learn more about Bryn Mawr College, click here.
From the Huffington Post article:
“Women’s colleges do more than just four years of educating; they have been proven to foster leadership skills and self-esteem among their students and alumnae, which is important considering lack of confidence is one of the major reasons why women do not pursue public office.”
To read Ms. Smith's article, click here.
To learn more about Bryn Mawr College, click here.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Periodic Table Skirt
I know this Periodic Table Skirt has nothing to do with the advantages of a women's college, but I thought this skirt was just too cute not to post. I hope you agree! And you can purchase the skirt if you like. Click here to do so.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Magnificent Mills, Might it be for YOU?
Founded in 1852, Mills College is located on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay, having a campus that consists of 135 wooded acres in the Oakland foothills. Within this beautiful campus is an environment dedicated to supporting you in your pursuit of intellectual exploration.
Offering more than 40 programs, Mills is known for its rigorous academic programs. Regardless of your study passion, Mills has a program for you. The top 5 programs (out of 41) include: English, Psychology, Political, Legal, and Economic Analysis (PLEA), Biology, and Studio Art. To review all of Mills’ programs, click here. Or for a snap-shot of Mills, click here.
At Mills You Have it All - Serious Studies and Serious Fun! Watches these first two videos and decide for yourself.
And now more about Mills College
And finally Living at Mills College and Student Activities
To learn more about campus life at Mills College, click here.
If you would like to read student stories, click here.
Check out Mills’ notable graduates by clicking here.
Now that you have a flavor of what Mills College is all about . . . perhaps scheduling a campus visit is right for YOU! Learn more about visiting the Mills Campus by clicking here.
Offering more than 40 programs, Mills is known for its rigorous academic programs. Regardless of your study passion, Mills has a program for you. The top 5 programs (out of 41) include: English, Psychology, Political, Legal, and Economic Analysis (PLEA), Biology, and Studio Art. To review all of Mills’ programs, click here. Or for a snap-shot of Mills, click here.
At Mills You Have it All - Serious Studies and Serious Fun! Watches these first two videos and decide for yourself.
And now more about Mills College
And finally Living at Mills College and Student Activities
To learn more about campus life at Mills College, click here.
If you would like to read student stories, click here.
Check out Mills’ notable graduates by clicking here.
Now that you have a flavor of what Mills College is all about . . . perhaps scheduling a campus visit is right for YOU! Learn more about visiting the Mills Campus by clicking here.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Celebrating 175 Years - Women's Colleges are Simply Timeless
As you watch this video see if you agree . . . women's colleges are still relevant and timeless. Enjoy!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Women's Colleges Help Inspire You to Think Outside the Bottle
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Did you know that the founder of the contemporary environmental movement graduated from a women’s college?
Meet Rachel Carson!
By Linda Lear
Rachel Carson, writer, scientist, and ecologist, grew up simply in the rural river town of Springdale, Pennsylvania. Her mother bequeathed to her a life-long love of nature and the living world that Rachel expressed first as a writer and later as a student of marine biology. Carson graduated from Pennsylvania College for Women in 1929, studied at the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory, and received her MA in zoology from Johns Hopkins University in 1932.
She was hired by the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries to write radio scripts during the Depression and supplemented her income writing feature articles on natural history for the Baltimore Sun. She began a fifteen-year career in the federal service as a scientist and editor in 1936 and rose to become Editor-in-Chief of all publications for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
She wrote pamphlets on conservation and natural resources and edited scientific articles, but in her free time turned her government research into lyric prose, first as an article "Undersea" (1937, for the Atlantic Monthly), and then in a book, Under the Sea-wind (1941). In 1952 she published her prize-winning study of the ocean, The Sea Around Us, which was followed by The Edge of the Sea in 1955. These books constituted a biography of the ocean and made Carson famous as a naturalist and science writer for the public. Carson resigned from government service in 1952 to devote herself to her writing.
She wrote several other articles designed to teach people about the wonder and beauty of the living world, including "Help Your Child to Wonder," (1956) and "Our Ever-Changing Shore" (1957), and planned another book on the ecology of life. Embedded within all of Carson's writing was the view that human beings were but one part of nature distinguished primarily by their power to alter it, in some cases irreversibly.
Disturbed by the profligate use of synthetic chemical pesticides after World War II, Carson reluctantly changed her focus in order to warn the public about the long term effects of misusing pesticides. In Silent Spring (1962) she challenged the practices of agricultural scientists and the government, and called for a change in the way humankind viewed the natural world.
Carson was attacked by the chemical industry and some in government as an alarmist, but courageously spoke out to remind us that we are a vulnerable part of the natural world subject to the same damage as the rest of the ecosystem. Testifying before Congress in 1963, Carson called for new policies to protect human health and the environment. Rachel Carson died in 1964 after a long battle against breast cancer. Her witness for the beauty and integrity of life continues to inspire new generations to protect the living world and all its creatures.
Biographical entry courtesy of Carson biographer © Linda Lear, 1998, author of Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature (1997).
To learn more about Rachel Carson, click here or here to review more of her work.
By Linda Lear
Rachel Carson, writer, scientist, and ecologist, grew up simply in the rural river town of Springdale, Pennsylvania. Her mother bequeathed to her a life-long love of nature and the living world that Rachel expressed first as a writer and later as a student of marine biology. Carson graduated from Pennsylvania College for Women in 1929, studied at the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory, and received her MA in zoology from Johns Hopkins University in 1932.
She was hired by the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries to write radio scripts during the Depression and supplemented her income writing feature articles on natural history for the Baltimore Sun. She began a fifteen-year career in the federal service as a scientist and editor in 1936 and rose to become Editor-in-Chief of all publications for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
She wrote pamphlets on conservation and natural resources and edited scientific articles, but in her free time turned her government research into lyric prose, first as an article "Undersea" (1937, for the Atlantic Monthly), and then in a book, Under the Sea-wind (1941). In 1952 she published her prize-winning study of the ocean, The Sea Around Us, which was followed by The Edge of the Sea in 1955. These books constituted a biography of the ocean and made Carson famous as a naturalist and science writer for the public. Carson resigned from government service in 1952 to devote herself to her writing.
She wrote several other articles designed to teach people about the wonder and beauty of the living world, including "Help Your Child to Wonder," (1956) and "Our Ever-Changing Shore" (1957), and planned another book on the ecology of life. Embedded within all of Carson's writing was the view that human beings were but one part of nature distinguished primarily by their power to alter it, in some cases irreversibly.
Disturbed by the profligate use of synthetic chemical pesticides after World War II, Carson reluctantly changed her focus in order to warn the public about the long term effects of misusing pesticides. In Silent Spring (1962) she challenged the practices of agricultural scientists and the government, and called for a change in the way humankind viewed the natural world.
Carson was attacked by the chemical industry and some in government as an alarmist, but courageously spoke out to remind us that we are a vulnerable part of the natural world subject to the same damage as the rest of the ecosystem. Testifying before Congress in 1963, Carson called for new policies to protect human health and the environment. Rachel Carson died in 1964 after a long battle against breast cancer. Her witness for the beauty and integrity of life continues to inspire new generations to protect the living world and all its creatures.
Biographical entry courtesy of Carson biographer © Linda Lear, 1998, author of Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature (1997).
To learn more about Rachel Carson, click here or here to review more of her work.
Monday, March 11, 2013
12 Reasons to Attend a Women’s College
I love researching online and was thrilled when I discovered this two-page reminder: "12 Reasons to Attend a Women’s College." If you would like to read the reminder, click here.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Cedar Crest College – STEM Programs and So Much More!
Spotlight: Cedar Crest College
Learn More, Achieve More, Be More!
Find your voice at Cedar Crest Collage, located in Allentown, PA. Since 1869, Cedar Crest College has been educating women, instilling in them the confidence to realize their dreams with unparalleled academics.
Watch this video (Your Potential UnleaSHEd!) and become inspired.
For those interested in a STEM career, I’m happy to share with you the incredible programs available at Cedar Crest.
Cedar Crest offers many outstanding programs in Biology. For example Genetic Engineering (also referred to as molecular genetics, biotechnology, molecular biology, and bioengineering) and they are one of the FIRST genetic engineering programs in the country.
To learn more about Cedar Crest’s Genetic Engineering program, click here.
To learn more about the other outstanding Biology programs click here.
Cedar Crest also offers many outstanding programs in Chemical and Physical Sciences!
For example Forensic Science -- If you love the world of Forensic Science, then Cedar Crest College is for YOU!
The Forensic Science program at Cedar Crest is recognized as one of the very best across the land, plus they are one of the few fully accredited programs in the nation. Click here to learn more.
Or to learn more about Cedar Crest’s Chemistry and Forensics Science watch this video created by one of the Chemistry Professors: David Raker, PhD.
And if Mathematics is your thing, check out their Mathematics program by clicking here.
Another program I would like to share with you is Cedar Crest College's Preforming Arts program, click here to learn more or watch this video below of
Brenna Mateljan, Class of 2013 and a dance and communication major as she explains her Cedar Crest experience.
To learn about the many other fine programs available at Cedar Crest College, click here.
And finally, here's a student video I hope you enjoy!
Learn More, Achieve More, Be More!
Find your voice at Cedar Crest Collage, located in Allentown, PA. Since 1869, Cedar Crest College has been educating women, instilling in them the confidence to realize their dreams with unparalleled academics.
Watch this video (Your Potential UnleaSHEd!) and become inspired.
Cedar Crest offers many outstanding programs in Biology. For example Genetic Engineering (also referred to as molecular genetics, biotechnology, molecular biology, and bioengineering) and they are one of the FIRST genetic engineering programs in the country.
To learn more about Cedar Crest’s Genetic Engineering program, click here.
To learn more about the other outstanding Biology programs click here.
Cedar Crest also offers many outstanding programs in Chemical and Physical Sciences!
For example Forensic Science -- If you love the world of Forensic Science, then Cedar Crest College is for YOU!
The Forensic Science program at Cedar Crest is recognized as one of the very best across the land, plus they are one of the few fully accredited programs in the nation. Click here to learn more.
Or to learn more about Cedar Crest’s Chemistry and Forensics Science watch this video created by one of the Chemistry Professors: David Raker, PhD.
And if Mathematics is your thing, check out their Mathematics program by clicking here.
Another program I would like to share with you is Cedar Crest College's Preforming Arts program, click here to learn more or watch this video below of
Brenna Mateljan, Class of 2013 and a dance and communication major as she explains her Cedar Crest experience.
To learn about the many other fine programs available at Cedar Crest College, click here.
And finally, here's a student video I hope you enjoy!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Book Suggestion: Taking Women Seriously: Lessons And Legacies For Educating The Majority
One of the earlier books that talks about the advantages of a women’s college is “Taking Women Seriously: Lessons and Legacies for Educating the Majority” written by M. Elizabeth Tidball, Charles S. Tidball, Daryl G. Smith, and Lisa E. Wolf-Wendel. The authors wrote a book that is filled with relevant research, providing insightful ideas and indisputable information.
I’ve attached an Amazon link that supplies you with additional book information should you care to purchase the book or obtain it via your local library system -- click here to do so.
I’ve attached an Amazon link that supplies you with additional book information should you care to purchase the book or obtain it via your local library system -- click here to do so.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
With Two-Year and Four-Year Degrees, Might Cottey College Be Right for You?
Spotlight: Cottey College
Founded by Virginia Alice Cottey Stockard in 1884, Cottey College is two-year liberal arts and sciences women's college that also offers select baccalaureate degree programs. The college is located in Nevada, MO.
I came across a video posted on YouTube by a Cottey Collegy student, Fadzai Musonza and wanted to share it with you. Fadzai created this video for one of her classes. Enjoy the video.
I hope you enjoyed Fadzai's video as much as I did.Click here, to learn more about Cottey College.
Founded by Virginia Alice Cottey Stockard in 1884, Cottey College is two-year liberal arts and sciences women's college that also offers select baccalaureate degree programs. The college is located in Nevada, MO.
I came across a video posted on YouTube by a Cottey Collegy student, Fadzai Musonza and wanted to share it with you. Fadzai created this video for one of her classes. Enjoy the video.
I hope you enjoyed Fadzai's video as much as I did.Click here, to learn more about Cottey College.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Going Places, Consider a Women’s College Like Hollins
Spotlight: Hollins University
Women Who Are Going Places Start at Hollins
In these videos, you’ll learn more about Hollins University, a women’s college located in beautiful Roanoke, VA. The things I loved about my alma mater are the same things I love about all women’s college, including Hollins University. Enjoy!
I'm glad you are researching women's colleges to attend! I hope you enjoyed the videos.
Perhaps you're now asking yourself if Hollins is right for you. I encourage you to find out. Begin by visiting Hollins' Web site. See if Hollins has the program you are looking for and if so, schedule a campus visit.
If you are still undecided about a program, I still encourage you to visit the campus.
Take the first step to learning about Hollins University by clicking here and you will be taken to the Hollins University Web site.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Celebrate Women’s History Month
March is Women's History Month, having been observed in the United States since 1987. To learn more, feel free to visit the following Web sites:
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Dreaming of a Career as a Movie or Television Producer?
In this video, Vivian Marui, Class of 2014, interviews Debra Martin Cases, Class of 1977, movie and television producer. During the interview, Debra shares with Vivian her college experience and explains how her education at a women’s college, Mount Holyoke College, provided her with the environment to thrive. Mount Holyoke College is a place that empowers big-dreamers.
“You have the power within yourself to be anything you want to be,” says Debra Martin Case.
This video, “Women of Influence: Debra Martin Chase '77” was published on February 26, 2013.
Mount Holyoke College is a liberal arts college for women in South Hadley, Massachusetts. To learn more, click here.
“You have the power within yourself to be anything you want to be,” says Debra Martin Case.
This video, “Women of Influence: Debra Martin Chase '77” was published on February 26, 2013.
Mount Holyoke College is a liberal arts college for women in South Hadley, Massachusetts. To learn more, click here.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Why Choose a Women’s College?
In this article, "Why Choose a Women’s College?," Neha Thirani asks the current President of Barnard College, Debora L. Spar, various questions, mostly as they relate to international students about the benefits of a women’s college and the benefits of Barnard. Click here, to read the article.
Barnard College, a liberal arts college for women affiliated with Columbia University, located in New York City. To learn more about Barnard College, click here.
This article was published March 22, 2012 in The New York Times, Global Edition India
Neha Thirani Bagri is employed by The New York Times in India as a Reporter. She recently graduated from Oxford with her Master’s in English Literature and resides in her hometown of Mumbai, India.
Barnard College, a liberal arts college for women affiliated with Columbia University, located in New York City. To learn more about Barnard College, click here.
This article was published March 22, 2012 in The New York Times, Global Edition India
Neha Thirani Bagri is employed by The New York Times in India as a Reporter. She recently graduated from Oxford with her Master’s in English Literature and resides in her hometown of Mumbai, India.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Star Trek: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Science
In this article, “Star Trek: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Science,” James Martin and James E. Samels write about four women’s colleges that are preparing young women for roles as environmentalists, biologists, chemists, forensic scientist, and physicists. All these women’s colleges are accomplishing this via strong women networks while providing a hands-on approach to learning.
The colleges they reviewed include Cedar Crest College, located is Allentown, PA, Sweet Briar College, located in Sweet Briar, VA, Smith College, located in Northampton, MA , and Rutgers Douglas Residential College, located in New Brunswick, NJ.
This article was published in University Business on June 1, 2009.
Click here to read the article.
The colleges they reviewed include Cedar Crest College, located is Allentown, PA, Sweet Briar College, located in Sweet Briar, VA, Smith College, located in Northampton, MA , and Rutgers Douglas Residential College, located in New Brunswick, NJ.
This article was published in University Business on June 1, 2009.
Click here to read the article.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Video: Women's College Advantage
Here’s another YouTube video where students of Hollins University share their thoughts about the advantages of a women’s college.
Hollins University is a women’s college located on a 475-acre campus in Roanoke, VA. To learn more, click here.
Hollins University is a women’s college located on a 475-acre campus in Roanoke, VA. To learn more, click here.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Women’s Colleges Are a Hidden Treasure (Continued)
Yesterday I posted Theresa Antonellis' comment, an alumna of Mount Holyoke College, in response to the article, “Why Choose a Women’s College?” by Neha Thirani that was published in The New York Times. Today, I’m posting two additional comments from the article and they are as follows:
Sharon's posted comment, “I also graduated from a women's college (Mount Holyoke) and am also in the sciences because of my experiences there. The environment enabled me to take academic and personal risks that I could not have taken elsewhere (actually "did not" in my case since I transferred to Mount Holyoke after having spent my first two years of undergrad at a coed college that had formerly been all male). Watched women being systematically silenced in the coed environment and knew that I needed to go elsewhere ---especially since I come from a family background that offers absolutely no support for my pursuing professional training of any sort. Had a wonderful experience at Mount Holyoke.”
Mount Holyoke College is a women’s college located in South Hadley, MA. Click here to learn more.
Kathy's posted comment, “As a Barnard graduate, I can attest to the outstanding education I received there. I was a premed science major, and I was able to take the intro courses at Barnard, and some of the advanced science courses across the street at Columbia. In face, some of my Columbia colleagues cross-registered at Barnard for the intro to biology, sociology, and poly sci courses. In fact, I met my future husband in the same biology course. Today I am a physician, for which I am most grateful to Barnard for molding my initial scientific interests. You have the experience of college, if you wish to simply focus on college life, but also the amazing life of NYC. I treasure my time at Barnard, particularly for the wonderful friendships, and of course, my most enriching relationship with my husband.”
Barnard College is a women’s college located in New York, NY. Click here to learn more.
As a point of reference, The New York Times published Neha Thirani’s article “Why Choose a Women’s College?” on March 22, 2012.
Sharon's posted comment, “I also graduated from a women's college (Mount Holyoke) and am also in the sciences because of my experiences there. The environment enabled me to take academic and personal risks that I could not have taken elsewhere (actually "did not" in my case since I transferred to Mount Holyoke after having spent my first two years of undergrad at a coed college that had formerly been all male). Watched women being systematically silenced in the coed environment and knew that I needed to go elsewhere ---especially since I come from a family background that offers absolutely no support for my pursuing professional training of any sort. Had a wonderful experience at Mount Holyoke.”
Mount Holyoke College is a women’s college located in South Hadley, MA. Click here to learn more.
Kathy's posted comment, “As a Barnard graduate, I can attest to the outstanding education I received there. I was a premed science major, and I was able to take the intro courses at Barnard, and some of the advanced science courses across the street at Columbia. In face, some of my Columbia colleagues cross-registered at Barnard for the intro to biology, sociology, and poly sci courses. In fact, I met my future husband in the same biology course. Today I am a physician, for which I am most grateful to Barnard for molding my initial scientific interests. You have the experience of college, if you wish to simply focus on college life, but also the amazing life of NYC. I treasure my time at Barnard, particularly for the wonderful friendships, and of course, my most enriching relationship with my husband.”
Barnard College is a women’s college located in New York, NY. Click here to learn more.
As a point of reference, The New York Times published Neha Thirani’s article “Why Choose a Women’s College?” on March 22, 2012.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day—February 21, 2013
This day is dedicated to Dr. Sally Ride.To learn more, click here and/or watch their video. If you are thinking about a career in this area: Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM), please consider a women's college as women's colleges do a better job preparing you for a STEM career. I'll be writing more about this in the future, so please subscribe to my blog!
Women’s Colleges Are a Hidden Treasure
Theresa Antonellis, a Mount Holyoke College alumna, posted a comment to the article Neha Thirani wrote for The New York Times, “Why Choose a Women’s College?” I liked this insightful comment so much, that I decided to post it on my blog and it follows:
“Women’s colleges are a hidden treasure. Some might ask why would any woman need to be sheltered from men in a democratic and modern world? Women’s colleges are not sheltered. In fact there were male students in some of my classes at Mount Holyoke College, the oldest women’s college. Mount Holyoke is part of the Five College Consortium, which includes Amherst College, Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts as well as Smith College. All of us were free to take courses at the other colleges, and I did.
However, within the co-ed liberal arts setting, I was shocked to find my voice interrupted and worse, re-interpreted by the top male students in the class. As if I didn’t know my own mind! This is exactly why women’s colleges are relevant today. Without Mount Holyoke, I would have continued to defer to overconfident men. I’m currently in grad school at University of Massachusetts, earning the MFA. I’m happy to be here, and eternally grateful for my undergrad years at Mount Holyoke College.
By the way, to those of you thinking, ‘oh those snooty women’s liberal arts colleges, with high-price tags’, I’m also a Frances Perkins Scholar, as in 'scholarship'! Mount Holyoke College gives very generous scholarships to the non-traditional student, and other under-represented college students. I have no doubt that women have the power to lead in better directions, and I know that women’s colleges will continue to produce world leaders.”
As a point of reference, The New York Times published Neha Thirani’s article "Why Choose a Women’s College?" on March 22, 2012. Mount Holyoke College is a liberal arts college for women in South Hadley, Massachusetts, United States and is the first member of the Seven Sisters colleges. Click here to learn more.
“Women’s colleges are a hidden treasure. Some might ask why would any woman need to be sheltered from men in a democratic and modern world? Women’s colleges are not sheltered. In fact there were male students in some of my classes at Mount Holyoke College, the oldest women’s college. Mount Holyoke is part of the Five College Consortium, which includes Amherst College, Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts as well as Smith College. All of us were free to take courses at the other colleges, and I did.
However, within the co-ed liberal arts setting, I was shocked to find my voice interrupted and worse, re-interpreted by the top male students in the class. As if I didn’t know my own mind! This is exactly why women’s colleges are relevant today. Without Mount Holyoke, I would have continued to defer to overconfident men. I’m currently in grad school at University of Massachusetts, earning the MFA. I’m happy to be here, and eternally grateful for my undergrad years at Mount Holyoke College.
By the way, to those of you thinking, ‘oh those snooty women’s liberal arts colleges, with high-price tags’, I’m also a Frances Perkins Scholar, as in 'scholarship'! Mount Holyoke College gives very generous scholarships to the non-traditional student, and other under-represented college students. I have no doubt that women have the power to lead in better directions, and I know that women’s colleges will continue to produce world leaders.”
As a point of reference, The New York Times published Neha Thirani’s article "Why Choose a Women’s College?" on March 22, 2012. Mount Holyoke College is a liberal arts college for women in South Hadley, Massachusetts, United States and is the first member of the Seven Sisters colleges. Click here to learn more.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Meet Moore - the first and only visual arts college for women in the United States
Spotlight: Moore College of Art & Design
Inspiring Careers
Even though I was biology major, I loved spending time on the potter’s wheel – and found myself (after college) going back to clay – only to discover my passion for creating using handbuilding techniques.
If the visual arts is your thing, I encourage you to discover Moore!
Moore College of Art & Design is located in Philadelphia. Highly-creative women from all over the world come here to study.
Moore’s BFA programs include: Art Education, Art History, Curatorial Studies, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interactive & Motion Arts, Interior Design, and Photography & Digital Arts. A good place to start is on Moore's BFA Programs page.
If you would like to meet current students, click here.
If you would like to read about students with internships, click here.
Click here to learn about alumnae.
You can meet the faculty by clicking here.
Meet Moore’s Student Ambassadors by clicking here.
Connect with student’s blogs by clicking here.
http://www.moore.edu
Inspiring Careers
Even though I was biology major, I loved spending time on the potter’s wheel – and found myself (after college) going back to clay – only to discover my passion for creating using handbuilding techniques.
If the visual arts is your thing, I encourage you to discover Moore!
Moore College of Art & Design is located in Philadelphia. Highly-creative women from all over the world come here to study.
Moore’s BFA programs include: Art Education, Art History, Curatorial Studies, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interactive & Motion Arts, Interior Design, and Photography & Digital Arts. A good place to start is on Moore's BFA Programs page.
If you would like to meet current students, click here.
If you would like to read about students with internships, click here.
Click here to learn about alumnae.
You can meet the faculty by clicking here.
Meet Moore’s Student Ambassadors by clicking here.
Connect with student’s blogs by clicking here.
http://www.moore.edu
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Student Satisfaction at a Women’s College
By Diane Propsner
As you know, I’m always looking for insightful information to include on my blog. The goal is to make researching women's colleges easier for you!
With that in mind, I would like to share with you an interesting student satisfaction entry I found on the Web site of Saint Mary's College -- Benefits of a Women’s College page. Click here to visit the Web page.
Student Satisfaction
By all accounts, there is a high rate of student satisfaction at women's colleges. Nine out of 10 women's college graduates give their colleges high marks for fostering self-confidence. More than three-quarters of women's college graduates continue their involvement with their alma mater as trustees, mentors, class agents, intern employers, recruiters, etc. It's difficult to say who is "right" for women's colleges and who isn't. Just about everyone can benefit from the supportive atmosphere they provide. In the end, it's largely a matter of personal preference.
Saint Mary's College is a women’s college and is located in Notre Dame, IN. Read what a current student says:
“The drive to excel is contagious, and we're all pushing each other to strive for more. Saint Mary's is where you can achieve things you never knew you could. You'll feel like you can go out into the world upon graduation and do something incredible.”
—Chelsea Young '13, art major
If you would like to learn more about Saint Mary's College, click here to visit their Web site.
As you know, I’m always looking for insightful information to include on my blog. The goal is to make researching women's colleges easier for you!
With that in mind, I would like to share with you an interesting student satisfaction entry I found on the Web site of Saint Mary's College -- Benefits of a Women’s College page. Click here to visit the Web page.
Student Satisfaction
By all accounts, there is a high rate of student satisfaction at women's colleges. Nine out of 10 women's college graduates give their colleges high marks for fostering self-confidence. More than three-quarters of women's college graduates continue their involvement with their alma mater as trustees, mentors, class agents, intern employers, recruiters, etc. It's difficult to say who is "right" for women's colleges and who isn't. Just about everyone can benefit from the supportive atmosphere they provide. In the end, it's largely a matter of personal preference.
Saint Mary's College is a women’s college and is located in Notre Dame, IN. Read what a current student says:
“The drive to excel is contagious, and we're all pushing each other to strive for more. Saint Mary's is where you can achieve things you never knew you could. You'll feel like you can go out into the world upon graduation and do something incredible.”
—Chelsea Young '13, art major
If you would like to learn more about Saint Mary's College, click here to visit their Web site.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Are Women's Colleges Outdated?
In this Huffington Post article, entitled, “Are Women's Colleges Outdated?,” the author Tom Matlack writes about his experience while accompanying his daughter on a campus tour of Barnard College, a women’s college located in New Your City.
Not initially convinced of the values of a women’s college, his mind is changed when the Barnard Campus Guide says, "Why wouldn't you want to send your daughter to an institution whose sole purpose is to insure the success of women? Three percent of women graduating from high school go to women's colleges, and yet 30 percent of congresswomen went to women's colleges and 20 percent of the female CEOs. There's a reason that is the case and that's why we are still here."
Read the entire article by clicking here.
As insightful as Tom’s article is, I also enjoyed reading the many comments from Barnard alumnae, sighting two of them below.
Betsy Summers posted on 04/14/2011
“Proud Barnard (and Barnard Theater) Alumna here... My father actually found Barnard and encouraged me to apply. I'm his only daughter, and he was so proud of everything I accomplished there. Though a co-ed college was certainly attractive to me as a 17-year old, being surrounded by awesome, smart, focused, and amazing women totally trumped any reticence. True, I ran into lots of stereotypes about Barnard women, but it made me stronger, focused, and I made fantastic friends on both sides of Broadway. Now being president of my alumnae class (06), and with our 5th year reunion approaching, I return frequently to thoughts of Barnard and how it shaped me. Barnard has produced some incredible women, and I think it helps that potential really spring to life in a conscious way that co-ed colleges don't. And Barnard Theater, oh man, how awesome. I gained exposure to Barnard, Columbia School of the Arts, NY Off-Broadway, and then created my opportunities (with the help of an amazing Barnard professor) down in St. Thomas. I really enjoyed the article; it was quite refreshing, and I'm going to share it with my dad with a big thanks to him for inspiring me to go to Barnard.”
Christina Sok posted on 04/13/2011
“I was at first skeptical about women's colleges before I went to Barnard, especially since my Grandmother who had gone to a women's college was raving about it (it seemed rather antiquated). But after graduating from Barnard, I'm the one raving about it. Barnard really did give me the confidence to challenge myself and compete harder than before. The strong, intelligent women at Barnard are inspiring and involved not only on Barnard's campus but all across Columbia's campus. There are so many opportunities to meet men on both campuses, and Barnard women are found as leaders of so many clubs at Columbia. The intimate community at Barnard is an enriching place where each student is really cared for academically and personally. I know some of my Columbia male friends wished they could enroll at Barnard, including my boyfriend who graduated from Columbia. Now in the working world, I have come across so many influential leaders who went to Barnard. I think having the opportunity to attend a great liberal arts college like Barnard with the strong emphasis on women's education and growth, would be a privilege to any young woman out there.”
I hope you also caught the comment Tom posted on 04/14/2011
“I just want to give a big shout out to all the outpouring of Barnard love in these comments and which I have received directly for posting what I thought was a little blog about my being a block head but, through my daughter's eyes, seeing something true and good about the role of women's colleges most specially Barnard. It is quite something to see my idle thoughts shared rather casually create such a stir. Thank you for taking *me* seriously. It all speaks volumes for the quality of the institution, its students, and alums.”
As a point of reference, Tom's article was published on 04/08/2011.
Not initially convinced of the values of a women’s college, his mind is changed when the Barnard Campus Guide says, "Why wouldn't you want to send your daughter to an institution whose sole purpose is to insure the success of women? Three percent of women graduating from high school go to women's colleges, and yet 30 percent of congresswomen went to women's colleges and 20 percent of the female CEOs. There's a reason that is the case and that's why we are still here."
Read the entire article by clicking here.
As insightful as Tom’s article is, I also enjoyed reading the many comments from Barnard alumnae, sighting two of them below.
Betsy Summers posted on 04/14/2011
“Proud Barnard (and Barnard Theater) Alumna here... My father actually found Barnard and encouraged me to apply. I'm his only daughter, and he was so proud of everything I accomplished there. Though a co-ed college was certainly attractive to me as a 17-year old, being surrounded by awesome, smart, focused, and amazing women totally trumped any reticence. True, I ran into lots of stereotypes about Barnard women, but it made me stronger, focused, and I made fantastic friends on both sides of Broadway. Now being president of my alumnae class (06), and with our 5th year reunion approaching, I return frequently to thoughts of Barnard and how it shaped me. Barnard has produced some incredible women, and I think it helps that potential really spring to life in a conscious way that co-ed colleges don't. And Barnard Theater, oh man, how awesome. I gained exposure to Barnard, Columbia School of the Arts, NY Off-Broadway, and then created my opportunities (with the help of an amazing Barnard professor) down in St. Thomas. I really enjoyed the article; it was quite refreshing, and I'm going to share it with my dad with a big thanks to him for inspiring me to go to Barnard.”
Christina Sok posted on 04/13/2011
“I was at first skeptical about women's colleges before I went to Barnard, especially since my Grandmother who had gone to a women's college was raving about it (it seemed rather antiquated). But after graduating from Barnard, I'm the one raving about it. Barnard really did give me the confidence to challenge myself and compete harder than before. The strong, intelligent women at Barnard are inspiring and involved not only on Barnard's campus but all across Columbia's campus. There are so many opportunities to meet men on both campuses, and Barnard women are found as leaders of so many clubs at Columbia. The intimate community at Barnard is an enriching place where each student is really cared for academically and personally. I know some of my Columbia male friends wished they could enroll at Barnard, including my boyfriend who graduated from Columbia. Now in the working world, I have come across so many influential leaders who went to Barnard. I think having the opportunity to attend a great liberal arts college like Barnard with the strong emphasis on women's education and growth, would be a privilege to any young woman out there.”
I hope you also caught the comment Tom posted on 04/14/2011
“I just want to give a big shout out to all the outpouring of Barnard love in these comments and which I have received directly for posting what I thought was a little blog about my being a block head but, through my daughter's eyes, seeing something true and good about the role of women's colleges most specially Barnard. It is quite something to see my idle thoughts shared rather casually create such a stir. Thank you for taking *me* seriously. It all speaks volumes for the quality of the institution, its students, and alums.”
As a point of reference, Tom's article was published on 04/08/2011.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Article: In Defense of Women’s Colleges
In Madeleine Minke’s article, “In Defense of Women’s Colleges,” she concludes her article with the following “. . . But the community they (a women’s college) create is incredibly important for women who want to go in to a male-dominated work force. The support and welcoming community that women’s colleges create protects women from being ignored and treated as less than. And that environment is something I see as being very necessary.” To read the article in its entirety, click here.
Feminspire published the article on December 7, 2012. Feminspire is an online publication that houses a compilation of female voices. To learn more about the publication, click here.
Feminspire published the article on December 7, 2012. Feminspire is an online publication that houses a compilation of female voices. To learn more about the publication, click here.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Happy Valentine's Day!
“I think every girl needs to love herself, regardless of anything. Like if you're having a bad day, if you don't like your hair, if you don't have the best family situation, whatever, you have to love yourself and you can't do anything until you love yourself first.” -- Julianne Hough
“No matter what age you are, or what your circumstances might be, you are special, and you still have something unique to offer. Your life, because of who you are, has meaning.” - Barbara de Angelis
“Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.” -- Veronica A. Shoffstall
“Ultimately, love is self approval.” -- Sondra Ray
“We will discover the nature of our particular genius when we stop trying to conform to our own or to other people’s models, learn to be ourselves, and allow our natural channel to open.” -- Shakti Gawain
“If you really put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price.” -- Author Unknown
“It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else’s eyes.” -- Sally Field
"Love yourself or no one else will." -- Unknown
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
The Best Kept College Secret: Women’s Colleges
By Diane Propsner
Shhhhhhh, can you keep a secret?
Okay then, I’ll let you in on the best kept secret most college bound young women don’t know.
Graduates of women's colleges achieve higher rates of success than their female counterparts at coeducational institutions.
And while I’m not saying a women’s college is for every young woman, keep this in mind, the same studies that identified the higher achievement rates of alumna of women’s colleges, also identified that after two years in a coed college, women have been shown to have lower levels of self-esteem than when they first entered college.
POW!
The reason a women’s college is so powerful is that it provides an environment that is empowering to young women. If you watched Hillary Clinton’s video you heard her say, “. . . this is an opportunity for the women to run everything. You run the newspaper. You run the student government. You speak out in class . . . so I really cherished the experience that I had.”
When a young woman attends a coed college this environment is not offered (simply because both men and women are involved) and therefore is impossible to experience this same empowering environment. Only same-gender environments offer this possibility.
And this is what an empowering environment is all about.
Women’s colleges provide an empowering environment where small “wins” are experienced over a period of four years. The subconscious mind of a young woman does not realize that the deck is stacked in favor of women (simply because there are no men around); it only sees that women are successful and that she is in a caring and nurturing environment and this is the message that is driven home! And soon the young women becomes more involved and engaged in activities -- in the classroom, in college clubs, in sports, in the student government, and maybe even the college newspaper -- while the subconscious mind is reinforced with experiences of success and empowerment.
This is the power of a women’s college; this incredible environment that empowers young women. And if you like feel free to ask any Developmental Psychologist for they will reinforce the power and importance of a nurturing, supportive, and empowering environment. It’s an environment that positions young women to thrive.
Here’s how one of my classmates, Liz Verhey Neale feels about a women’s college:
"I believe my alma mater, a women’s college offered a unique educational experience in a beautiful setting. It had small classes where each student must be prepared and must participate in her education to succeed. The single sex environment made it safe for students to take chances and to participate in college life in ways she wouldn't be able to if those positions were filled with male students. Here students were not competing against one another for attention from male students, which creates a unique friendship arena. This is why alumnae love women based colleges with such passion."
Today Liz is co-owner of a gymnastics school in NH, Off the Wall Gymnastics. Please understand that her love for gymnastics was encouraged and fostered during her college years. If you would like to learn more about Off the Wall Gymnastics, click here.
So there you have it, the best kept college secret of college bound women.
And here’s the reason I say it's a secret. Consider this, only 2% of college bound women research all-female college institutions.
As a women’s college advocate, I’m committed to bringing more awareness around the advantages of a women’s college because I believe ever young women deserves the opportunity to have a choice in her education. If the opportunity is not know, the choice is not available.
Please help me by sharing this secret with your college bound girlfriends. Heck share it with everyone! Your family, your teachers, your neighbors, your friends . . . everyone!
Together we can bring more awareness to this important topic and encourage more college bound young women also to include women’s colleges in their mix when researching colleges to attend.
Shhhhhhh, can you keep a secret?
Okay then, I’ll let you in on the best kept secret most college bound young women don’t know.
Graduates of women's colleges achieve higher rates of success than their female counterparts at coeducational institutions.
And while I’m not saying a women’s college is for every young woman, keep this in mind, the same studies that identified the higher achievement rates of alumna of women’s colleges, also identified that after two years in a coed college, women have been shown to have lower levels of self-esteem than when they first entered college.
POW!
The reason a women’s college is so powerful is that it provides an environment that is empowering to young women. If you watched Hillary Clinton’s video you heard her say, “. . . this is an opportunity for the women to run everything. You run the newspaper. You run the student government. You speak out in class . . . so I really cherished the experience that I had.”
When a young woman attends a coed college this environment is not offered (simply because both men and women are involved) and therefore is impossible to experience this same empowering environment. Only same-gender environments offer this possibility.
And this is what an empowering environment is all about.
Women’s colleges provide an empowering environment where small “wins” are experienced over a period of four years. The subconscious mind of a young woman does not realize that the deck is stacked in favor of women (simply because there are no men around); it only sees that women are successful and that she is in a caring and nurturing environment and this is the message that is driven home! And soon the young women becomes more involved and engaged in activities -- in the classroom, in college clubs, in sports, in the student government, and maybe even the college newspaper -- while the subconscious mind is reinforced with experiences of success and empowerment.
This is the power of a women’s college; this incredible environment that empowers young women. And if you like feel free to ask any Developmental Psychologist for they will reinforce the power and importance of a nurturing, supportive, and empowering environment. It’s an environment that positions young women to thrive.
Here’s how one of my classmates, Liz Verhey Neale feels about a women’s college:
"I believe my alma mater, a women’s college offered a unique educational experience in a beautiful setting. It had small classes where each student must be prepared and must participate in her education to succeed. The single sex environment made it safe for students to take chances and to participate in college life in ways she wouldn't be able to if those positions were filled with male students. Here students were not competing against one another for attention from male students, which creates a unique friendship arena. This is why alumnae love women based colleges with such passion."
Today Liz is co-owner of a gymnastics school in NH, Off the Wall Gymnastics. Please understand that her love for gymnastics was encouraged and fostered during her college years. If you would like to learn more about Off the Wall Gymnastics, click here.
So there you have it, the best kept college secret of college bound women.
And here’s the reason I say it's a secret. Consider this, only 2% of college bound women research all-female college institutions.
As a women’s college advocate, I’m committed to bringing more awareness around the advantages of a women’s college because I believe ever young women deserves the opportunity to have a choice in her education. If the opportunity is not know, the choice is not available.
Please help me by sharing this secret with your college bound girlfriends. Heck share it with everyone! Your family, your teachers, your neighbors, your friends . . . everyone!
Together we can bring more awareness to this important topic and encourage more college bound young women also to include women’s colleges in their mix when researching colleges to attend.
Monday, February 11, 2013
3 Reasons Why a Women’s College Could Be Perfect For You
By Lauren Ingeno
I enjoyed reading Lauren’s article and hope you do as well. It starts off with the following,
“Ladies, would you ever consider attending a college void of men?
In high school, Rebecca Collins, 21, said she was “the last person in the world” anyone expected to go to a women’s college.
But after three years at Philadelphia’s Moore College of Art & Design — the first and only women’s arts school in the nation — she is very happy that she did the unexpected.
“I think maybe there’s a stigma with any women’s college, that it’s a man-hating, bra-burning place, but it’s not like that at all,” said Collins, a fashion and design student. “It just puts you in an environment where you’re a lot more focused on what you’re learning and your future career.”
Women’s colleges have held a long-standing and respected tradition in the United States. The Sisters colleges — Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Mount Holyoke, and Wellesley — are highly selective liberal arts women’s colleges, often compared to Ivy League institutions.”
To finish reading the article and learn the three reason why a women's college could be perfect for you, click here.
When Lauren Ingeno wrote this article, she was a Collegiate Correspondent with USA TODAY. Her article was published July 13th, 2012 -- USA TODAY COLLEGE
I enjoyed reading Lauren’s article and hope you do as well. It starts off with the following,
“Ladies, would you ever consider attending a college void of men?
In high school, Rebecca Collins, 21, said she was “the last person in the world” anyone expected to go to a women’s college.
But after three years at Philadelphia’s Moore College of Art & Design — the first and only women’s arts school in the nation — she is very happy that she did the unexpected.
“I think maybe there’s a stigma with any women’s college, that it’s a man-hating, bra-burning place, but it’s not like that at all,” said Collins, a fashion and design student. “It just puts you in an environment where you’re a lot more focused on what you’re learning and your future career.”
Women’s colleges have held a long-standing and respected tradition in the United States. The Sisters colleges — Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Mount Holyoke, and Wellesley — are highly selective liberal arts women’s colleges, often compared to Ivy League institutions.”
To finish reading the article and learn the three reason why a women's college could be perfect for you, click here.
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| Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos |
When Lauren Ingeno wrote this article, she was a Collegiate Correspondent with USA TODAY. Her article was published July 13th, 2012 -- USA TODAY COLLEGE
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Did You Know This About a Women’s College?
"Studies have found that by attending women's colleges, women develop measurably higher levels of self-esteem than other achieving women in coeducational institutions. After two years in coeducational institutions, women have been shown to have lower levels of self-esteem than when they entered college." *
* As sited on the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Web site, a women’s college located in St Mary-of-the-Woods, IN. Click here to learn more about the college.
* As sited on the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Web site, a women’s college located in St Mary-of-the-Woods, IN. Click here to learn more about the college.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Is a Women’s College Right for You? Eight Questions to Ask
By Diane Propsner
Not sure if a women’s college is right for you? A good place to start is by asking the following questions.
Question One: Are you interested in achieving higher career levels and earning larger salaries?
Question Two: Is having higher levels of self-esteem important to you?
Question Three: Are you looking for a career in the male-dominated fields such as medicine, engineering, politics, and/or law?
Question Four: Would you like to have more opportunities in leadership roles?
Question Five: Would you like to participate more in class discussions?
Question Six: Would you like your career to include serving on the boards of Fortune 1000 companies?
Question Seven: Do your educational goals include earning a doctoral degree?
Question Eight: After graduating do you see yourself being involved in philanthropy?
If you answer “yes” to any of the questions, I encourage you to include at least one women's college to investigate. First identify the women's college that offers the program you want and visit the campus. Meet with students and professors and then decide if a women's college is right for you. Please know that based on a recent study, young women who attended a women’s college typically receive the above benefits. Coed colleges simply can not provide the same supportive environment that many young women find so empowering.
Question One: Are you interested in achieving higher career levels and earning larger salaries?
Question Two: Is having higher levels of self-esteem important to you?
Question Three: Are you looking for a career in the male-dominated fields such as medicine, engineering, politics, and/or law?
Question Four: Would you like to have more opportunities in leadership roles?
Question Five: Would you like to participate more in class discussions?
Question Six: Would you like your career to include serving on the boards of Fortune 1000 companies?
Question Seven: Do your educational goals include earning a doctoral degree?
Question Eight: After graduating do you see yourself being involved in philanthropy?
If you answer “yes” to any of the questions, I encourage you to include at least one women's college to investigate. First identify the women's college that offers the program you want and visit the campus. Meet with students and professors and then decide if a women's college is right for you. Please know that based on a recent study, young women who attended a women’s college typically receive the above benefits. Coed colleges simply can not provide the same supportive environment that many young women find so empowering.
List: Notable Women’s College Alumnae
Get ready for success! While researching online I discovered an extensive list of “firsts for women” and all of the women attended a women’s college. The list includes:
- FIRST woman to be named Secretary of State in the U.S: MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, Wellesley College
- FIRST woman editor, The New York Post: JANE AMSTERDAM, Cedar Crest College
- FIRST woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize: EMILY GREEN BALCH, Bryn Mawr College
- FIRST woman to receive a college bachelor's degree: CATHERINE BREWER BENSON, Wesleyan College
- FIRST scientist to identify the Hong Kong flu virus: EARLA BIEKERT, Wesleyan College
- FIRST woman to earn a doctorate in chorale conducting from Yale University: MARIAN DOLAN, Sweet Briar College
- FIRST woman leader of the American Newspaper Publisher Association: CATHLEEN BLACK, Trinity Washington University
- FIRST African-American woman judge in the U.S.: JANE MATILDA BOLIN, Wellesley College
- FIRST African-American woman surgeon in the South: DOROTHY L. BROWN, Bennett College for Women
- FIRST to win Nobel Prize in Literature: PEARL S. BUCK, Randolph-Macon Woman's College
- FIRST female Rhodes Scholar, Georgia: ILA BURDETT, Agnes Scott College
- FIRST woman secretary of the Democratic National Party: DOROTHY VREDENBURGH BUSH, Mississippi University for Women
- FIRST woman to be Executive Vice President of the American Stock Exchange: SARAH PORTER BOEHMLER, Sweet Briar College
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