For many years, women at Tech have shaped history with their groundbreaking achievements. Here are some significant milestones highlighting their contributions.
Milestones in Women’s History at Georgia Tech
Early Admissions and Graduates
1917: Georgia Tech’s Evening School of Commerce allows for the admission of women, paving the way for future gender inclusivity in education.
1919: Anna Teitelbaum Wise becomes the first woman to earn a degree from the School of Commerce.
1927: Dorothy M. Crosland rises from assistant librarian to head librarian, earning the title of Woman of the Year in Education in 1945. In 1953, she becomes the director of Libraries, a position she held until her retirement in 1971.
1952: Elizabeth Herndon and Diane Michel become the first women undergraduates at Georgia Tech, though they can only enroll in programs unavailable elsewhere.
A Supportive Community
1954: First Lady Ella Wall Van Leer invites the five women enrolled at Tech to her home, leading to the establishment of Tau Sigma, which became the first sorority chapter affiliated with Alpha Xi Delta at Tech.
1956: Diane Michel and Shirley Clements Mewborn graduate, with Mewborn later becoming the first female president of the Alumni Association, honored by a new softball field named after her in 2009.
Increased Inclusion and Achievements
1960: Mary Katherine Cabell is appointed as the first female faculty member in the mathematics department.
1966: Sally Lam Woo, the first Asian woman to graduate from Georgia Tech, takes residence in alumni Ella Van Leer’s home while pursuing engineering.
1968: The Board of Regents permits women to enroll in all academic programs at Georgia Tech.
1969: Fulmer Hall, the inaugural women’s dormitory, opens for residents.
Historic Enrollments
1970: The first Black women enroll at Georgia Tech, including Adesola Kujoure Nurudeen, Tawana Miller, and others, some later becoming influential educators.
1973: Clemmie Whatley and Grace Hammonds are the first Black alumnae, achieving advanced degrees in mathematics.
Building Athletic Programs
1974: The women’s basketball team plays its inaugural game. Although they faced challenges, the program would flourish quickly, achieving a record of 23-4 in just three years.
1976: Tawana Miller and Brenda Elayne Gullatt become the first Black women to graduate from Georgia Tech’s four-year program.
Academic and Professional Milestones
1980: Dorothy Cowser Yancy earns tenure as the first Black female faculty member promoted to full professor.
1981: Bernadette McGlade is appointed as the first full-time female coach for the women’s basketball team.
1984: Lisa Volmar becomes the first woman to drive the Ramblin’ Wreck, a beloved campus tradition.
Establishing Support Systems
1998: The Women’s Resource Center is formed to amplify women’s voices at Tech, providing essential support and advocacy.
1999: Sue V. Rosser becomes the first female academic dean at Georgia Tech. The Center for the Study of Women, Science, and Technology is also established that year.
Recent Achievements
2007: Georgia Tech’s women’s tennis team secures the institution’s first NCAA team championship.
2015: Hillary Degenkolb makes history as the first female Wreck driver of the 21st century.
2017: The freshman class is recorded with a remarkable 43% female enrollment.
Ongoing Celebrations
2022: Ellen Bassett becomes the first female dean of the College of Design, further advancing women’s leadership at Tech.
2025: The Pathway of Progress installation is completed, celebrating influential women in Georgia Tech’s history.
These milestones represent just the beginning of women’s incredible journey at Georgia Tech, reflecting their enduring spirit and determination to pave the way for future generations.
