“On the Same Terms” is an exhibition and blog series dedicated to this academic year’s commemoration of the 150-year anniversary of the admission of women to Northwestern. This is the final post in this series.
The University Archives’ collections provide a long view of Northwestern’s women over the past 150 years. Women students’ college years are illuminated in scrapbooks and diaries; the personal papers of women faculty members and administrators document their research, writing, and teaching; records of organizations reveal their past and ongoing activities; and personal papers of alumnae reflect the impact of their education on their achievements in every field of the arts, journalism, politics, and the sciences.
This essay looks at just a few examples of the Archives’ many collections pertaining to Northwestern women. Using materials from the collections themselves, it illustrates the personal papers of four remarkable alumnae (including one who was also an inspirational faculty member) and the records of a century-old alumnae organization that continues its tradition of support today. The link following each sketch leads to the online Guide to the individual archival collection. The Guides contain additional information and an inventory of the materials in each collection.
For more examples, see our list of the Archives’ collections relating to women at Northwestern. Please contact the University Archives to arrange to view any of the collections.
Lorraine Morton, Evanston’s new mayor, 1993 (Evanston Review page from Morton Scrapbooks)
Lorraine Morton (1918-2018), SESP (Master’s in Curriculum) ’42; Hon LLD 2008
Educator, civic leader, Mayor of Evanston
From 1953 to 1989, Lorraine Morton was a teacher (language arts and social studies) and principal in schools in Evanston’s District 65. She was the first African American teacher in the District 65 system to work outside Evanston’s segregated Foster School.
Morton at Haven Middle School
After serving as alderman of Evanston’s Fifth Ward from 1982-1991, Morton ran for mayor in 1993. She was Evanston’s first African American mayor—and became Evanston’s longest-serving mayor as well. Upon her retirement in 2009, the Evanston City Council renamed the its city hall the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center in recognition of her many years of public service.
Morton’s Papers include speeches, correspondence, event programs, photographs, newspaper clippings, and campaign information, along with 15 boxes of awards.
See more in our guide to the Lorraine Morton Papers.
Georgie Anne Geyer, professional portrait, undated
Georgie Anne Geyer (1935-2019), Medill 1956
Pioneering Woman Journalist
Georgie Anne Geyer earned her B.S. from the Medill School of Journalism in 1956. At Northwestern, she was on the staff of the Daily Northwestern, writing the social column. In 1959, Geyer joined the Chicago Daily News as a social reporter, but by the mid-60s became known for her international and political reporting (when she interviewed Fidel Castro, the Daily News headline read “Our Man in Havana is a Woman.”) As a syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times from 1975-1980, she was often the first woman to interview a male leader. In 1980, Geyer moved to the Universal Press Syndicate, writing a column called The Geyer Files. She also appeared frequently on television news shows, including presidential debates.
Geyer’s extensive papers include correspondence, notebooks, clippings, scrapbooks, audio and video tapes, and artifacts.
See more in our guide to the Georgie Anne Geyer Papers.
Karen DeCrow displaying the NOW flag (no date)
Karen DeCrow (1937-2014), Medill 1959
Women’s Movement Leader
At Northwestern, Karen DeCrow wrote for The Daily Northwestern; she began her career in journalism, then entered law school in 1969 as the first woman in her class at Syracuse University. DeCrow joined the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1967, and became its president in 1974, serving until 1977 (she was the first president of NOW to be invited to the White House). She campaigned for the Equal Rights Amendment and was a proponent of First Amendment rights and gender equality in all areas. DeCrow was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2009.
DeCrow’s Papers consist of correspondence, publications, speeches, audio and video tapes, and artifacts documenting her life and work.
See more in our guide to the Karen DeCrow Papers
Winifred Ward as a Northwestern student (left) and professor (right)
Winifred Ward (1884-1975), Communication 1905; School of Communication Faculty 1918-1950
Bringing theater to the classroom
Winifred Ward graduated in 1905 from Northwestern University’s School of Oratory
One of Ward’s textbooks on Children’s Theatre
(now School of Communication); in 1918 she received a Ph.D. in education from the University of Chicago. She returned to Northwestern to teach in the theater department, where she pioneered a new field of education: teaching drama with and for children. In 1924, Evanston’s elementary schools added Ward’s “creative dramatics” to the curriculum, with Ward as supervisor (she held the position until her retirement from Northwestern in 1950). The Children’s Theatre of Evanston performances are legendary, and Ward’s teaching and writing inspired educators across the country to adopt dramatics as a teaching tool.
Ward surrounded by members of the Children’s Theatre board
Ward’s Papers in the Archives include correspondence, scripts and production materials, scrapbooks, publications, and photographs.
Guide to the Winifred Ward Papers:
https://findingaids.library.northwestern.edu/repositories/6/resources/751
Mary Ross Potter, Dean of Women and founder of the Alumnae of Northwestern
The Alumnae of Northwestern, 1916-today
Supporting Northwestern women for over 100 years
The Alumnae of Northwestern University, originally called the Associate Alumnae, was founded by Dean of Women Mary Ross Potter in 1916 in order “to further projects of interest to the women of the University and to promote friendly intercourse between alumnae of all departments.” One early goal was to agitate for women’s housing and, in particular, a Woman’s Building. In addition to its continuing education curriculum, the Alumnae raises funds to provide fellowships and grants to the University’s students and faculty, as well as to support WAA-MU. It presents an annual award to an outstanding alumna.
The Records of the Alumnae document the activities of the organization and its committees and projects over the course of 100+ years.
See more in our guide to the Records of the Alumnae of Northwestern:
Fall 2019 marked 150 years since women could enroll as Northwestern undergraduate students. Visit the 150 Years of Women website to learn more.