Female anatomy students at UM, 1880s

Female students in UM anatomy classes were still segregated in the 1880s. The admission of women was a major factor in University expansion. Regents initially rejected coeducation as "dangerous," and medical faculty called it "an experiment… not calculated to increase the modesty of women." UM became the nation's most prestigious large institution to admit women when Madelon Stockwell was allowed to enter the literary college in January 1870. That fall 33 more women enrolled, making up three percent of the student body, over half in the medical school. Though early coeds were subject to catcalls from male students and shunned by townspeople, by 1900 women were 22% of total enrollment. Frame location: South side of North University, east end of the Diag, facing northeast toward Hill Auditorium

Collection info: DE p 36

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