Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-06
SOME WOMEN DEANS.
TnENE ARE nut FIVE SUCH
LADIES IN THE UNITED STATES.
Brilliant scholarly Women Who
Hold Distinguishcd Positions in
the Great Coliescs-A Specimen Of
Femtninity seldom Met with.
Correspondence OF the p,sro,ch ,

That enrolled one thousand students this
peason-has turned attention TO the
scholars and professors who are qualified
10 succeed her.
The college-bred woman IL IN one sense
thc New Woman, being a specimen OF
6emin!nty seldom met with I'm the United
States dozen years ago
Bryn Mawr. Chicago University. Rad
el'ffe. and Barnard Colleges all boast
women deans. while both Wellesley and
Radcliffe have called women 10 their
presidential chairs. Men. II is true. stlll
hold the chief offices at all other institu-
lions OF learning for women, with ladies
bs principals and second in authority.
l. was the Pennsylvania College which
6rst created the Office OF dean In this
country. inviting Miss NJ. Carry Thomas
10 administer its functions. Her splendid
ability and record in that position en-
rouraged like institutions TO follow suit.
Ind finally won for Miss Thomas the
presidency Of Bryn Mawr.
Miss Thomas Is a young woman barely
thirty-fve years of age. She took the de-
gree Of a. Il. from Cornell I'm 1877. then
went 10 Johns Hopkins University, after
wards to Leipsic and Zurich. She Is at
once at scholar and an exceptionally
pretty woman; one that is noticed In any
gathering for her charming face and
bnodlsh gowns.
She is one of those workers who can
tire out the cleverest stenographer. Bas-
kets Of mail. dozen Of callers, immune
bable knotty problems to solve seem to
have l!ttle effect on the Vigor OF her
constitution. The other professors regard
her capacity for work with despairng
envy. FOR not only does she satisfactorily
nSpatch the onerous duties contingent
upon her deanship. but maintains at the
pane time her professional duties.
Does she toll by fits and starts?
inquired OF one who knows the young
president intimately. cor does she move
steadily in the harness"
MOST SYSTEMATIC.
"She is the most systematic woman
Know" was the reply. Her constitution
IS seemingly u combination OF steer
springs. guaranteed TO stand any STRAIN
Tier work is always on time. clear. ana
concise her brain alert. and ever lresh'
and yet her delightful personality per
~ades the whole institution. She Is
equally loved and admired by students
md professors"
As for that other deservedly popular
woman in the scholastic world; ana IN
fact. everywhere that the subject Of "o-
mans broadening influence Is or interest
refer to Mrs. Alice Freeman Palmer
The wife Of Professor Palmer. at Harvard.
This dean--late OF the Chicago Univer-
tlty-was prominently known in educa-
lional centres when she was Mss Free
man. Wellesley's president She was
graduated from Ann Arbor. Mich. in 1916
End first did a good blt Of speaking on
The ever-absorbing topic Of women 5
Fights to high scholarly privileges. AFTER
ward she came East to assume the relhs
IF government of Massachusetts seat or
female learning. Later her marriage re-
moved her from position where she had
Eained not only the respect but the earn
tst cooperation and love OF hundreds OF
workers. Mrs. Palmer's career at Wei
lesley is bound up with the history OF the
colege.
she accepted the call TO the West be-
rause its duties only compelled her pres
rnce In Illinois six weeks out OF each
Term. She was one Of two deans. and her
work consisted chiefly in classifying stu
nents according 10 their qualifications
seeing them entered into classes. and
lending her ear and enthusiastic interest
b. all questions concerning the advance
ment Of the BIC western institute. Her
resignation, which creates such genuine
regret. IL accounted for by Professor Pal
mer's years leave of absence. which he
md his wife wish 10 spend together in
Foreign lands.
Dean Agnes Irwin also forms one Of
the small yet brilliant circle TO which
Mrs. Palmer belongs in classic Cambridge.
Since the Harvard annex for women has
taken TO itself a name-Radcliffe-it has
Elected n woman. Miss Irwin. as its dean,
and Mrs. Louis Agassiz as president.
HER LACK.
The remarkable fact about the former
iady's election is her lack Of collegiate
training and traditions Naturally. this
action gave rise 10 wide comment, and
strange and new was the explanation Of
fered-namely. that the faculty wished
20 make II a point - have the position
filed by Il woman OF thorough and polite
culture whose recommendation however.
should bc her gracious wOmanlness,
rather than academic excellence. Rad
Clffe's new dean has been known for
GONE years as the head OF one of Phila-
Gelphia's prominent and fashionable iinish-
ing schools. Her venture in this line has
resulted profltably in a financial and edu-
catlonal sense. She is a woman who has
probably reached the meridian of life.
ripe in experience and Judgment: one
whose attractivencss comes not especially
from scholarly qualities as from high per-
tGnal ones. She can give TO Radcliffe
oil the fine tone it desires. and exercise
over the women studying there an en-
rObling influence Of refinement and gen
tleness. Her duties are not onerous; they
are not comparable with those Of Miss
Talbot In fact, | scarcely believe Miss
Irwin was invited t. Radcliffe TO work,
but TO lend and give that lofty. distinct
personal charm and fine womanliness
which the word so desires in the place
where its wives. mothers, and daughters
are moulded.
Mrs. Palmer In leaving Chicago, left
one OF the clcverest Of young collegians
as dean pro ten.
DEAN PRO TEN.
Miss Marian Talbot-who has been wide
~ known as the secretary of the Associa-
ton OF College Alumni-a body that has
done more excellent work than the world
is altogether cognizant of, was graduated
from Wellesley IN the class OF 1880. The
Boston School of Technology next en-
rolled her among its studenIa and her
Alma Mater invited her e. lecture there
on her speciality. science. These lectures
she masterfully conducted until the West
offered her chair beside that of the
other notable Wellesley woman.
Miss Talbot is quiet, determined lit
lie woman-a bundle of energy, far too
much for her physical strength Hard
work Is her forte for in addition 10 the
tasks that fan plentfully TO her as
resident dean. she IS "A Professor Of SAM
tary Science In the college. She is syste
matte. accurate In detail, and an unques
toned authority on all statistics touching
the college life for women in the United
States.
THE YOUNGEST.
Barnard College. I'm New York. boasts
The youngest dean Of the five. Miss Emily
James Smith Is only 20 years OF age. and
this is her first authoritative bow to the
educational world. She was graduated
from Bryn Mawr in 1889 studying later
at Glrton College. Cambridge. England,
then at the University Of Chicago. Bar
nard called her from her classes. but II
did 70 on the most justihable grounds.
Dean Smith Is brilliantly equipped for the
high position she holds. This is her first
wear. but she has already become favor
tie. and gives good reason 20 prophcsy
that Columbia's annex now holds another
shining light among the woman educators
of this progressive day
Miss Smith is a rapid, rather than a
t,reless worker Six hours a day Is the
..yhgch ahQ cares tax herself