Archive of 5 letters by Early Female College Presidents: 1912-1954

Small archive of Female College Presidents letters totaling 5 letters on college letterhead and signed by the female presidents of Vassar College, North Texas Female College and Florida State College for Women from the years 1912-1954. Women's colleges were founded in the 1800s in response to a need for advanced education for women who were not allowed into most higher education institutions. In addition to creating space for female students, women's colleges created positions for female faculty and administrators many of whom pursued graduate degrees to best serve their new positions. The letters demonstrate the kind of work that goes into a college's administration including filling faculty positions and approving the publication of the college's official song. Letters range in size from 8.5" x 11" to 6" x 8" inches. One letter by Sarah Gibson Blanding , the president of Vassar College, dated 1954 addressed to a Mr. Saltfords is more personal, "The pleasure of my fifty-sixth birthday (if you can call it a pleasure to have arrived at this hoary age) was immeasurably increased by the beautiful Camellia you send me from Saltfords. I have worn it twice now and with luck I shall be able to sport it Thanksgiving afternoon when I take off for Atlantic City to attend a meeting, worse luck." Female presidents often fostered close mentorships with female faculty in the interest of creating more space for women in academia, more broadly. "My dear Spencer," writes Mrs. L.A Kidd-Key, the president of North Texas Female College to a Miss Spencer in 1912, "I wrote you some time ago regarding the duties assigned to you next year, the terms upon which you would come, etc. I would like to know whether these terms are satisfactory. I have had several other applicants for the place and would like to hav ea definite asnwer from you before stating that the place is filled." Often the first generations of female students went on to become leaders at their alma maters and sister schools creating a network of female administrators leading the advancement of women's education. Through present day female college administrators continue to be a rarity, with 86% of all presidents, provosts and chancellors male as recently as 2012. One letter has a rust stain from a paper clip visible in corner, does not affect text. Letter from North Texas includes postmarked envelope. Very good condition.