Suffolk University

What was Suffolk University like in the 1970s?

Thirty years after the first few women joined the university faculty in the 1940s, Suffolk University experienced a revolutionary period for female professors and faculty.

1970

Jo Ann Renfrew becomes the first woman to join the Sawyer Business School faculty

1972

Catherine Judge becomes the Law school's first female full professor after becoming the first full-time woman teacher in 1967

1973

Jeanne Hession becomes the University's first woman Trustee, and goes on to become Vice Chair in 1976

1974

President Thomas A. Fulham appoints a Committee on the Status of Women in response to the federal government's requirement to incorporate "affirmative action plans" for women in higher education

1975

In April, the Committee on the Status of Women publishes their findings in a report

1978

The Committee releases an addendum to their report titled "Sexism in the University Curriculum"

The Report of the Committee on the Status of Women (1975)

The table on the left shows the discrepancy between full-time male and female employees at Suffolk University. Men dominate the professional and faculty positions, while women make up the overwhelming majority of stereotypically feminine roles in office and clerical positions.

How did female faculty feel about their treatment at Suffolk?

As part of their Report, the Committee sent out an anonymous survey to all female faculty members. This survey found that 61% of female faculty did not experience explicit discrimination in professional meeting or training. Additionally, the survey found that 27% of women felt there was no opportunity for advancement in the university. 60% of female faculty members agreed that more courses about women should be offered, and 89% agreed that more women needed to be hired in administrative positions.

Learn more about faculty at Suffolk University

Margaret Collins Weitz

Martha Richmond

Beatrice Snow

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