Women have come a long way over the last century, and much of that history is celebrated every March during a federally recognized, nationwide celebration.
Organizers say Women’s History Month encourages all Americans to reflect on the ways that women have shaped history and to look deeper into the lives of these amazing women.
To honor the creativity and beauty of extraordinary women’s lives, The University of Tampa reflected the national theme: “Women’s Art: Women’s Vision.”
This year’s theme provides a special opportunity to discover and celebrate past and present women in arts by looking at a variety of forms and media that will help expand people’s perceptions of women in art.
Each year to celebrate Women’s History Month, UT along with Linda Devine, The Vice President of the Operations and Planning, host a Women’s luncheon.
“I was looking for a way to contribute,” Devine said.
This year’s Women’s History luncheon will be held March. 26, in the Vaughn Center and will also focus on women in the arts.
UT faulty members are asked to bring a student of their choice with them to the luncheon.
“Each year we have several guest speakers,” Devine said.
UT has invited women to represent various fields of art, such as poetry, visual art, theatre and music.
As a new-media artist, Juliet Davis, Assistant Professor of Communication, will be presenting her work called “Altar-ations,” which UT students have also participated in from concept to production.
“The main idea this year is to inspire other women to experiment with creative expression and communication through the arts,” Davis said.
UT invites all faculty/student or staff/ student pairs to attend.
The luncheon will be held in the Vaughn Center Crescent Club March. 26 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Attendees should RSVP in faculty/student or staff/student pairs.
RSVP to extension 6203 or to planning@ut.edu
WOMEN’S “FIRSTS” AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA
For this recognition, the year 1933 is the starting date, even though Tampa Junior College, the predecessor to The University of Tampa, began in 1931. Many Hillsborough High School teachers served on the junior college’s faculty and administration and weren’t exclusively “dedicated” to instructing TJC students.
1st Women Faculty Members
Mrs. F. L. Adams, History, 1933-34; Mrs. H. D. Berrett, Art History, 1933-34; Marie W. Coulson, French ‘ German, 1933-35; Clara D’Angelo, Music [Voice], 1933-36; Martha F. Dauer, English, 1933-34; Mrs. R. A. Ellis, Literature, 1933-34; Thelma E. Jones, English, 1933-34; Helen Lastra, Spanish, 1933-34; Dorothea Morrill, History, 1933-34; Louise Robles, Health Education, 1933-34; Irene Sparkman, Math, 1933; Helyn Broadhurst Steele, Dance, 1933-34.
Longest-Tenured Women Faculty Members
Judith Edberg, Music [Piano], 35+ years, 1972-present; Robbie E. Wooten, Secretarial Sciences ‘ Economics, 35 years, 1946-81; Alice Rodriguez, Physical Education, 34 years, 1960-94; Ruth Bragg, 32 years, 1962-94; Elyse B. Sheppard, Mathematics, 30 years, 1946-76.
1st Women’s Athletics Director
Ruth Moffatt, 1936
1st Dean of Women
Caroline A. Melber, 1939
1st Female Vice President
Marisol Johns, VP for Student Affairs, 1976
1st Woman Professor Emeritus
Zoe Cowen, Elementary Education, 1961, at UT 1947-60
1st Female Louise Loy Hunter Outstanding Faculty Award Winner [began 1962]
Mary Jane Schenck, English, 1982-83 school year
1st Sorority at UT
Delta Kappa, 1933
1st African-American Sorority at UT
Zeta Phi Beta, ca.1983
1st Latina Sorority at UT
Sigma Lambda Gamma, 2003
1st Female ROTC Cadets at UT [ROTC began in 1971 at UT]
September 1973. 1st Recruit: Micki Baken; other women accepted for first group at UT: Sharon Brash, Nikkia Miller, Beautymae Baker, and Eileen Schumeyer [a total of 5].
1st Female ROTC Commander at UT
Lieutenant Colonel Deirdre Dixon, 2000-05
1st Female UT Administrator
Annie Mitchell, Girl’s Dorm “Preceptress,” 1936
1st Woman Librarian
Anna Regener, 1933; Charlotte Anne Thompson, 1933-77
1st Woman Librarian Emeritus
Charlotte Anne Thompson, 1978
Longest-Serving Female UT Employee
Charlotte Anne Thompson, Librarian, 44 years, 1933-1977
1st Female Director of Alumni Affairs
Joyce Plumley, ca.1975
1st Woman Trustee
Sylvia Vega, 1973
1st UT Homecoming Queen
Edna Johnson, November 1936
1st Female Minaret Editor
Edna Prince, 1933
1st Female Moroccan Editor
Kitty Reynolds Lea, 1st edition, 1936 [1935-36 school year]
1st Female Student Body President
Dorothy Thonnensen, 1942
1st Female Recipient of UT Honorary Degree [began June 1936]
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, 1942, Doctor of Literature
1st Female Recipient of UT Medal
Shirley Temple, 1949, Drama
1st Female Recipient of UT Award for Distinguished Public Service
Edna Pearce Lockett, 1970
1st Female Graduates from UT 4-Year Program [Commencement, June 9, 1935]
In alphabetical, marching order: Julia Burns, Irene Muriel Haas, Louise Carroll Leonard, Carolyn Elizabeth Maness, and Helen Dorothy Pou [all earned BA degrees; there were no female BS degree recipients].
1st First Lady of UT [the President’s wife]
Mrs. Helen Spaulding