Learn more about life for women at Dickinson
Dickinson began admitting women in 1884. During the next few years, women students were often faced with discrimination by their male counterparts. And yet, female enrollment at Dickinson steadily increased, and women began obtaining some of the highest honors given by the college. However, by the time female Indian School students began attending Dickinson, a quota had been placed on the enrollment of women. Women at Dickinson still continued to florish, and at the turn of the century, there were four women’s fraternities, two female literary societies, a YWCA and a women’s senate.
For a complete history, please see Indian School Women: Their connection with Dickinson.
Female Indian School student attending Dickinson was not the only connection between the women of Dickinson and the Indian School. Lizzie Bender, a Dickinson College student, began teaching at the Indian School after graduation. Lizzie spent two years teaching at the Indian School, honing her skills as a teaching and missionary. Upon leaving Carlisle, Lizzie travelled to Japan where she spent twenty-five years running a school and working as a missionary.
For complete biographical information, please see Indian School Women: Their connection with Dickinson.
