    EXHIBIT
    FINDING
A WOMAN'S PLACE AT VIRGINIA TECH 1921-2021

EDIT PER EXHIBIT In this exhibit you can explore the different phases of Solitude’s history. We begin during the period when this place was indigenous land, and go on to explore its history as a slave plantation in the nineteenth century.

A SPACE FOR CHANGE—WOMEN AT VIRGINIA TECH, 1964-2000

Once the merger with Radford College was dissolved in 1964, two major changes paved the way for a dramatic increase in female students in the mid-1960s. First, Virginia Tech added new degree programs in English, History and Political Science. Second, additional housing was either renovated or created for women. The Women's Auxiliary House, also called the Auxiliary Dorm, was remodeled in 1963. In addition, two men’s dorms, Eggleston and Campbell Halls, became designated housing for women.   

Coed at the Duck Pond, 1966 Bugle.

In the 1960s, the number of co-eds in Blacksburg skyrocketed due to changes in both the school curriculum and physical space. In 1965, there were 319 co-eds enrolled and for the first time female students in the College of Arts and Sciences outnumbered those in the College of Home Economics. In 1966-1967, 639 women were enrolled at Virginia Tech. That number doubled by 1968. In 1971, when women celebrated fifty years on campus, the number of co-eds reached 3, 491. 

Dr. Martha Harder began her tenure as the final dean of women in 1966. By 1969, reorganization efforts in the Office of Student Affairs abolished the dual positions of dean of women and dean of men. Martha Harder became dean of Student Programs. Harder noted the significance of this move stating that it "signified the end of many segregated activities on the campus and was also the first time that student affairs had a woman who was supervising male staff members."

Auxiliary Dorm, one of the few co-ed residences aside from Hillcrest, celebrates Homecoming 1966 with a display of women's achievements. 

Change continued into the 1970s and women were admitted to the Corps of Cadets in 1973. A group of 25 women formed L Squadron which became the first female squadron in the history of both VIrginia Tech and the entire United States. Women and men remained in separate squadrons until 1979. 

L Squadron, 1976-1977

Women's Swimming in the 1971 Bugle

Another major change came for the co-eds in 1970 when Tech began to officially sanction women’s athletics. Swimming and gymnastics were the first sports open to women for intercollegiate competition. Women’s swimming had its own spread in the 1971 Bugle. 

The Women’s Movement prompted female faculty and students to form the Women’s Network in 1978. This organization was formed to support both female faculty and administrators. Despite showing growth in female enrollment, Virginia Tech still fell below the national average for female faculty in the late 1970s. The Women’s Network lobbied for changes to support the work of women on campus. One common need for working women on campus was childcare. Thanks to the efforts of the Women’s Network, the Child Care Resource and Referral Center opened in 1989.

Pat Hyer, who held positions in the Provost’s Office for nearly 25 years, was actively involved in the advancement of women on campus. As part of the Coordinating Council for Women’s Concerns, Hyer and others worked to improve the status of women at Virginia Tech beginning in the 1990s. Hyer and the CCWC successfully lobbied for the creation of a women’s center on campus. The Women’s Center opened in 1994.

Dr. Pat Hyer

Opening of the Women's Center in Diversity News

The creation of the Women’s Center was another major advancement for Virginia Tech’s women. For over 25 years, the Women’s Center has worked to create a “safe, equitable and supportive” space for women on the Blacksburg campus. The Women’s Center also supports events like the annual Take Back the Night march.