History as Biography

Northwestern University’s Women’s Self-Government Association (19231950) had roots deep in the University’s history. The concept of self-government for women students first came to Northwestern in 1873 with the arrival of Frances Willard as the University’s first Dean of Women. Women had been able to attend Northwestern University since 1869, when one woman was enrolled. In 1870, women students were encouraged to gain concurrent admission to the Evanston College for Ladies where they could board and take courses in art and music along with their University courses. The Evanston College for Ladies had a strict set of rules governing mealtimes, study hours, daily prayers and the reception of guests. It also had a program of self-government developed by the College’s President, Frances Willard, where women policed themselves, evaluating their compliance with the rules of the College. When the Evanston College for Ladies merged with Northwestern University in 1873, Willard became the University’s first Dean of Women and brought her self-government program with her. This proved to be controversial within the University, as it placed women under the sole governance of the Dean of Women and established separate rules for women students. Willard resigned from the University in 1874 because of the controversy.