First Women of Johns Hopkins

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In September of 1970, 90 women broke a 94-year tradition and entered Hopkins as undergraduates. The first female undergraduate freshmen were admitted in the fall of 1970 making 1974 the first full class of undergraduate women. A small cohort of women transfer students graduated in 1971, 1972 and 1973.

"You feel like a cross between Gypsy Rose Lee and Typhoid Mary."
— Rebecca Love, A&S '73, in the News-Letter.

Events

The first women of Hopkins reunite after being admitted more than 40 years ago.

Forty-two years later, 70 of those first co-eds traveled from all over the U.S. to attend a two-day reunion weekend at Johns Hopkins. The weekend included dinner at the Colonnade, tours of Gilman Hall and the new Brody Learning Commons, a panel discussion with faculty, and lunch at the Hopkins Club with a dozen professors who had taught in the ‘70s. Mindy Farber, A&S ’74, initiated and organized this transformative weekend, and concluded it with a musical slideshow she created highlighting photos and memories from those first years.

View photos from the reunion

Comments from Participants

"…I was struck by all that we’ve collectively accomplished, and I’m convinced it was because of our experience in dealing with 1900 men when we were so young and not yet fully formed."
— Gail McGovern, A&S '74

"Amazing, insightful, bittersweet, unforgettable, profound."
— Kathy McGrath, A&S '74

"A wonderful opportunity to meet with the hope (and expectation) of deepening our friendships over time."
— Sara Pasternak, A&S '74

"I arrived at JHU 40 years ago feeling alone and insignificant. I left yesterday surrounded by friends, a Pioneer."
— Jean Hochheimer Hochron, A&S '74

1974 Commencement Speech

In 1974, President Steven Muller thought it would be appropriate for the women of Johns Hopkins to have a part in commencement, as it was the first graduating class. A group of women from the class of '74 got together and wrote a commencement speech, then drew straws to see who would recite it. Cynthia Young won and gave the speech at Commencement.