Celebrating Women Transfer Students in History
By Avianna Stein, WSU Everett
March 1st marks the first day of Women’s History Month! This month, we celebrate and recognize the contributions and accomplishments of women throughout history and their impact on advancing gender equality. Women have worked hard to shape our world, from trailblazing pioneers to modern-day heroes. It’s because of such women that by the 1980s, women made up a majority of undergraduate college students and continue to do so today.
The Women’s Rights Movement and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 broke many barriers to higher education for women. As a result, women enrolling in community colleges and transferring to four-year universities have become more common. Women make up a significant number of transfer students in the United States, including Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, and Dr. Mae Jemison, an engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut. Both transferred from community colleges to four-year universities, completing their degrees and going on to very successful careers.
Eileen Collins attended Corning Community College and finished her bachelor’s at Syracuse University. A decorated astronaut, she is the first female pilot and commander of the Space Shuttle.
Lucy Liu, actress, director, and artist, transferred from New York University to the University of Michigan to earn her degree in Asian Languages and Cultures. She has won many awards, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Zora Neale Hurston is an African-American writer known for “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” She attended Howard University, transferring to Barnard College of Columbia University.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress and served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1989 to 2019. Ros-Lehtinen first attended Miami Dade College and then transferred to Florida International University to earn her Bachelor’s.
The experiences of these women and the accomplishments they have made encourage other women to pursue their dreams and achieve their educational goals. As a 100% transfer campus, WSU Everett understands how important a strong transfer culture is to a robust and successful academic experience. We are proud to be a part of the transfer student story!
References:
https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/analysis/2021/03/21/history-women-higher-education/