Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz, a professor emerita of history and American studies at Smith College, delivered a talk titled “It’s Complicated: 375 Years of Women at Harvard” at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. The discussion centered on the evolving role of women at Harvard, highlighting both achievements and areas needing improvement.

President Drew Faust and Radcliffe Dean Lizabeth Cohen aimed to commemorate Harvard’s 375th anniversary through intellectual contributions, focusing on the historical representation of women within the university. Cohen emphasized the importance of accurately portraying the history of women at Harvard during the anniversary year.

Faust highlighted the past 100 years as a narrative of progress for women at Harvard. Horowitz’s talk, she said, offered valuable lessons on how change occurs and how individuals committed to learning and opportunity can find acceptance.

Historically, Harvard excluded women due to the social norms of the time, which were deeply rooted in tradition and privilege. By the 18th century, Harvard had evolved into an institution for the sons of the mercantile top. The first women to seek entry into Harvard came from the middle class, primarily seeking additional instruction in the sciences. However, they were only given limited access, such as lectures and labs.

In 1872, a group of influential women, including Elizabeth Cary Agassiz, sought to gain admission for women into Harvard. Their efforts faced strong opposition from Harvard President Charles William Eliot and the Harvard Corporation. Eliot expressed doubts about the mental capabilities of women, stating that the policing of young men and women of marriageable age would be challenging.

The Women’s Education Association of Boston, led by Agassiz, developed an innovative solution by establishing the Harvard Annex in 1879. This institution offered female students instruction from Harvard professors, providing them with the same courses taught to male students. By 1890, over 200 women were being taught by 70 men. Despite these advancements, Agassiz continued to advocate for more inclusive policies.

Radcliffe College was established in 1894, granting women access to higher education through contracts with Harvard faculty. However, women remained separate from Harvard, leading Horowitz to question the impact of this separation on female students. Professors served as role models and inspirations, and the lack of female role models may have had unseen consequences.

The journey towards gender equality continued in Harvard’s graduate schools. The Harvard Graduate School of Education admitted women in 1920, while Harvard Medical School accepted its first female students in 1945. Women began petitioning Harvard Law School for admittance in 1871, and the School finally opened its doors in 1950, although this was 20 years behind most law schools in the country.

Horowitz shared her personal experience of being denied acceptance to Harvard’s graduate program in history in 1962. She protested her rejection to Dean Kirby-Miller, who agreed that she had been discriminated against but refused to take her case further. Horowitz eventually earned her master’s and doctorate degrees from Harvard in American civilization in 1965 and 1969.

By 1963, Harvard began awarding degrees to Radcliffe students. In 1967, Lamont Library allowed women access. In 1975, the admissions process for Harvard and Radcliffe merged, ending the ratio of four men to one woman. In 1977, Harvard implemented sex-blind admissions. In 1999, Radcliffe officially merged with Harvard, giving birth to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.

While Harvard has made significant strides, Horowitz noted that more work remains to be done to convince women to stay long enough to pursue tenure. This includes addressing issues related to starting families and caregiving. Achieving equity requires providing women with a wide range of services and a flexible career path, enabling them to balance work and caregiving responsibilities.

President Drew Faust concluded the event by emphasizing the progress made in the past 100 years and the lessons learned from Horowitz’s talk. She highlighted the importance of understanding how change happens and the role of committed individuals in shaping a more inclusive environment.

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