A Personal Study of Women Deans in Colleges and Universities

NY, New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1928. Octavo. 155 pages, tables, diagrams. Higher education had consistently fought against women as faculty or administration since the prevailing argument was that their place was in the home. Even women who were first-rate scientists in astronomy, medicine or other fields of science were only allowed lower status positions (the debate at Cornell was pronounced well into the first decades of the 20th Century). Existing Professors felt that their own status would be reduced if women were allowed as faculty. Even when they were reluctantly allowed teaching or administrative positions, the salary was reduced since their contribution was viewed as less than that of traditional male faculty. Even when barriers were broken, there was constant pressure to reduce them to the level of staff rather than to be treated as professionals. The author also notes that women were often expected to have been married and raised children which would enable them to deal with incoming students; of course, this put them at a much later age to begin an academic career. A very important book showing the status of women (of which 282 at reached the level of deans in colleges and universities across the country) with extensive statistics for the period just before the Depression. (As the Depression developed women with paid salaries were often let go since men whose support of families was considered more important.). A near fine copy bound in blue cloth lettered in gilt.