4 episodes

In 1970, the University of Virginia finally began to admit women into the College of Arts and Sciences. In this podcast, we'll explore the history of UVA's coeducation and the experiences of women in the first coeducational class. From the Corner to the classroom to the courtroom, we will learn what it takes for an institution to change.

Host: Giovana De Oliveira, current Fourth Year at the University of Virginia.

Gritty Women Giovana De Oliveira

    • History

In 1970, the University of Virginia finally began to admit women into the College of Arts and Sciences. In this podcast, we'll explore the history of UVA's coeducation and the experiences of women in the first coeducational class. From the Corner to the classroom to the courtroom, we will learn what it takes for an institution to change.

Host: Giovana De Oliveira, current Fourth Year at the University of Virginia.

    The Beginning of Coeducation

    The Beginning of Coeducation

    This episode focuses on the discussions happening within the walls of the University from 1967-1970. We'll talk to the Dean of Admissions, Ernest Ern, to learn what pushed these institutional leaders to support coeducation. And how they dealt with those who vehemently opposed it. 

    _Shownotes _
    In this episode, you heard from the former Dean of Admissions, Ernest Ern and from Ann Brown (CLAS '1974). 

    To learn more about the Woody Committee, visit the Special Collections Library exhibit: https://explore.lib.virginia.edu/exhibits/show/uvawomen/breakingtradition/debate. 

    For further reading on the history of coeducation in the Ivy Leagues and in the U.K, check out Nancy Weiss Malkiel's book, "Keep the Damned Women Out": The Struggle for Coeducation. 

    The theme music in this episode is "Palms Down" from Blue Dot Sessions. You also heard "Slider" from Blue Dot Sessions. 

    Thank you to Mary Garner McGehee for her editing work on this podcast and for the help of my advisors, Sarah Milov and Sidney Milkis. 

    This podcast is a member of the Virginia Audio Collective: https://virginiaaudio.org/

    • 18 min
    On the Basis of Sex

    On the Basis of Sex

    In 1969, Virginia "Anne" Ginger Scott sued for her admission into the College of Arts in Sciences. In this episode, we'll discuss that lawsuit, but we'll also leave the district court where it was filed and travel all the way over to the Supreme Court to understand how national legal trends made coeducation an imperative back at UVA. 

    Shownotes: 

    In this episode, you heard from Anne Coughlin who teaches criminal law and procedure and feminist jurisprudence at the University of Virginia School of Law. You also heard from Ann Brown (CLAS '74). 

    The lawsuit, Kirstein v. Rector and Visitors and the University of Virginia can be found here: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/309/184/2096076/  

    Check out Serena Mayeri's book, Reasoning from Race: Feminism, Law, and the Civil Rights Revolution. 

    The theme music in this episode is "Palms Down" by Blue Dot Sessions. You also heard "McCarthy" from Blue Dot Sessions. 

    Ruther Bader Ginsburg's interview with Time Magazine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv838WxQaeQ 

    NBC News Coverage on Thurgood Marshall and the Brown v. Board decision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GBs8es4bqE 

    Democracy Now's clip about Pauli Murray: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3u98p8PDlc 

    Access to oral arguments from Reed v. Reed and Loving v. Virginia, courtesy of Oyez: https://www.oyez.org/cases/1971/70-4; https://www.oyez.org/cases/1966/395 

    Thank you to Mary Garner McGehee for her editing work on this podcast and for the help of my advisors, Sarah Milov and Sidney Milkis. 

    This podcast is a member of the Virginia Audio Collective: https://virginiaaudio.org/

    • 24 min
    The 60s

    The 60s

    In this rendition of Gritty Women, we'll take a closer look at the turbulent 60s and how it created a societal consensus in favor of coeducation. 

    _Shownotes: _

    This episode featured a conversation with Professor Melody Barnes, Co-Director for Policy and Public Affairs at UA's Democracy Initiative. She is also a professor of practice at the Miller Center and a distinguished fellow at UVA School of Law. 

    You also heard from Blake Morant (CLAS '75), Paulette Morant (CLAS '74), Betty McGehee (School of Education '71), Daniel Sullivan (Law '70), Charles Vasaly (Law '70), and Ann Brown (CLAS '74). 

    Audio clips from protest movements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBm48Scju9E and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFXFS2lARcU 

    Reporting on the Kent State Massacre by CBS Evening News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmd6CHah7Wg 

    Clip from the show Bewitched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw_OdPInxe0 

    Clip of Betty Freidan from CBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfgxHKli9CU 

    The music in this episode is "Palms Down" and "Two in the Back" from Blue Dot Sessions. 

    For more information about May Days, check out UVA Law School's May Days exhibit: https://maydays.law.virginia.edu/exhibit. The interviews of Daniel Sullivan and Charles Vasaly can be found in this exhibit. 

    Thank you to Mary Garner McGehee for her editing work on this podcast and for the help of my advisors, Sarah Milov and Sidney Milkis. 

    This podcast is a member of the Virginia Audio Collective: https://virginiaaudio.org/

    • 29 min
    The Weekend Question

    The Weekend Question

    From "rolling" to the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, this episode will explore what the experiences of women were like when they finally arrived on Grounds. 

    _Shownotes: _

    You heard from Betty McGehee (School of Education '71), Blake Morant (CLAS '75), Paulette Morant (CLAS '74), Barbara Lynn (CLAS '73), and an anonymous alumni (CLAS '74). 

    Adam Cooper, current Fourth Year at UVA, read for the voice of Richard O'Ryan. 

    The music in this episode is "Palms Down" and "The Cornice" from Blue Dot Sessions. 

    Thank you to Mary Garner McGehee for her editing work on this podcast and for the help of my advisors, Sarah Milov and Sidney Milkis. A big thank you to my Echols Advisor, Kelsey Johnson.

    • 19 min

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