The Presidents welcome you!

Sally Frank ’80, the Princeton alum responsible for the integration of the eating clubs, boldly stated that “Membership is the first step, leadership is the next.” This is the  quotation upon which the foundation of the Organization of Women Leaders was built.  Last spring, when we began noticing a severe lack of female leadership on campus, a group of women set out to form what is now one of the most highly endowed organizations on campus, monetarily as well as in membership.  The interest and passion of the members of this organization has been absolutely astonishing for everyone involved.  

like-minded women on campus.  We are continually aiming to raise awareness of continued social injustices facing girls and women and then to give each member an opportunity to make a change.  Through a wide variety of activities, such as community service, a newsletter, a speaker series, health issues, diversity issues, and social events, we hope to appeal to a diverse group of women with assorted interests. 

The overwhelming interest expressed in this organization not only indicates that it will have a significant impact on the Princeton community in the future. We know that its influence is already being felt. Whereas six months ago female Princetonians were reluctant to express concern over the lack of gender equality on campus, the swift moves towards solidarity of so many female students has firmly and steadily begun to result in change.  Not only has the U-Council appointed a senator as the specific liaison to women’s groups on campus, but also the university is now sponsoring rape assault defense classes (RAD).  We are confident that many more changes come this year as capable women act to make them. 

Above all, this organization is meant to be a uniting force on this campus, combining the enthusiasm and energy of a variety of girls into one collective effort which may improve the state of women at Princeton permanently. We can’t wait to see what you all do!

Luncheon guests recall early days of coeducation

Professor Christine Stansell '71 and Judith Friedman '74 speak of their struggles to luncheon attendees

by Jessica Potts ’03

Recently, 25 OWL members truly understood how fortunate they are to go to Princeton today.They were guests at Owl’s first luncheon series event, where Professor Christine Stansell '71 and Judith Friedman '74 spoke about their experience at Princeton as some of its first female students.

Stansell, now a Princeton history professor specializing in Women's Studies, was one of nearly 100 women in the first class of women, or "co-eds" as she recalled being referred to, who came in 1969.  Stansell transferred to Princeton as a sophomore from Rice University.

Coming to Princeton wasn't always a dream of hers. "I didn't grow up thinking I could go to Princeton.  When the opportunity arose, I applied because it was a great school," she recalled.

Stansell anticipated a difficult transition, but not outright hatred.  She showed Daily Princetonian articles to demonstrate the vehemence and tension that boiled on campus.  With an ironic smile, Stansell read, "On co-education, an alumni said, ‘You might as well start a good old-fashioned whore-house.’”  She wasn’t surprised by her gasping audience.

Stansell describes the classmates who battled an age-old chauvinist mentality as "a bunch of eternally optimistic, and, I'd say, plucky women.  We were nice girls, intelligent girls -- even smarter than the boys.  We had to be.  We had to out-do them because we were women."

Friedman, who now works as a speechwriter and publicist for President Harold Shapiro, agreed.  However, Friedman felt she had a less daunting experience, arriving in the second class of women. Although a math major in an exclusively male department, Friedman found security and happiness living in Wilson College all four years. 

"I had a benign experience in Wilson because of the big suites.  There was a higher ratio of women within Wilson, which made it more helpful."

Living in a suite with 9 other girls, Friedman remembered being a target of attention.  "Guys would come bang on our window and just say, 'We've got beer.'  Let me tell you," she chuckled, "that was incredibly enticing."

In the early 70's, eating clubs were still entirely male.  Women's sports teams hardly existed.  Signs around campus, like the one by the Dillon pool stating "No Swimsuits Allowed," still hung.

The most difficult difference in the early years was the lack of administrative support for females.  "No one ever asked about me, or even cared how I was doing," Friedman regrets.

  Stansell recalls a similar lack of guidance. "I certainly had no advisor.  I thought I was going to become a social worker. That's how powerful I thought I could be, coming out of Princeton!  Finally I had this one female professor who told me I should go to grad school," she said.

She beamed as she assessed the potential of the luncheon attendees. "It is still a pleasure for me to see how much it's changed, to feel a support network among women and from advisors and deans.  And when I see female students walking together as friends and in these organizations, it still moves me," she confessed.