National Women’s Colleges and Universities Day is March 5
By Nichola Monroe ’27
Women’s colleges and universities have a record of opening higher education to marginalized communities and matriculating some of history’s most influential and successful women. To commemorate these institutions’ invaluable contribution to women’s advancement, the Women’s College Coalition (WCC) led the congressional initiative to establish March 5th as National Women’s Colleges and Universities Day in the US.
“I specifically sought out a women’s college, and Scripps was my first choice,” says Lily Waldman ’25. “I am a biology major, and I wanted a more supportive environment, especially in science courses. In high school, I had several classes where some boys were fairly overpowering and didn’t think I was capable. Even though STEM classes are co-ed between Scripps and Pitzer, its culture is non-competitive and people don’t underestimate me, and it’s also easier to break into research positions.”
Women’s colleges have also driven progress to expand financial aid for a wide range of students with dreams and drive. About 40 percent of women’s college attendees are Pell Grant recipients and 93 percent receive financial aid. As covering the costs of college attendance has grown increasingly challenging, National Women’s Colleges and Universities Day not only recognizes the value of these unique institutions, but also helps generate financial support for their continued existence.
“There are people that would argue we do not need women’s colleges anymore because education has become much more inclusive,” Waldman continues. “But with the loss of affirmative action and the current attacks on DEI, it is even more important to conserve spaces for marginalized people.”
Ellen Browning Scripps, an incredible businesswoman and philanthropist, similarly went against the grain to create her “crown jewel”—Scripps College. Her early leadership was irreplaceable in creating what The Claremont College consortium is today, including purchasing property where Scripps, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer Colleges could grow. Scripps College is now one of the two remaining women’s colleges on the west coast.
Established in 1926, Scripps College is one of the few remaining women’s colleges in the United States and continues to thrive today
Scripps’ unique nature of being a suburban institution within an academically rigorous, highly accessible co-ed consortium has also created an avenue for students enroll without originally intending to attend a women’s college.
Sofia Campagna ’27 explains: “Even though I didn’t seek it out, I’m really happy that I go to a small women’s college. I’ve never met anyone at Scripps who is not driven, passionate, interesting, and engaging. At this point I can’t imagine myself anywhere else.”
Once considering Barnard, Katy McPartland ’27 ultimately landed on Scripps due to its central urban location, myriad educational opportunities through the consortium, and sense of safety. Her time at Scripps also shaped her perspective on why women’s colleges matter today. “Going to a women’s college has been a defining experience in what values I now hold in terms of being part of affinity spaces for women and other marginalized genders,” she says.
Observing this day also offers an occasion to share success stories of women’s college alumnae, donate to a women’s college that is important to you, and express the importance of these institutions to politicians to ensure their continued support.
“Women’s colleges are important institutions that continue to show to society how we have both been denied or hampered in our access to education, but now have and continue to protect women’s access to education,” adds Willa Baker ’27. “I think it’s crucial to conserve that lineage and history.”