Going against the grain: A brief history of Father McCabe
The Centennial of Women at Marquette marks the celebration of 100 years of coeducation on campus. While the celebration is a major milestone in Marquette’s history, one must take time to reflect upon the people that made this historic change possible.
In 1909, newly chosen University President the Rev. James McCabe decided to open Marquette’s doors to women.
The Jesuit who brought women to Marquette University was honored thihs year with the dedication of McCabe Hall.
“It was a daring move since Catholic colleges and universities worldwide were for males only,” said the Rev. Douglas Leonhardt, associate director of the Office of Mission and Identity.
The decision to allow women to attend the university came from McCabe’s hope to help Catholic elementary and high school teachers who happened to be Catholic Sisters. According to Leonhardt, while most of the teachers started at 20 years old, their education was not that large due to few opportunities in the religious convents.
Since the sisters were busy with teaching during the academic year, McCabe’s original plan was to open the university to women during summer school, Leonhardt said. In addition to the sisters, he also wanted the school to admit lay women.
“There was not an opportunity for many of the sisters to attend accredited schools to fulfill Wisconsin’s teacher certification requirements,” Leonhardt said.
But, McCabe’s decision was met with conflicting views. In addition to the responsibilities of being president, McCabe was also the religious superior to the Jesuit order on campus. When he made his request to allow women to attend Marquette, the Jesuit Provincial in St. Louis denied him the authority to make the change, said Leonhardt. After receiving a lack of support from St. Louis, McCabe sent an appeal to the Society of Jesus in Rome.
“No one knows what was going through Father McCabe’s mind at this time,” Leonhardt said in an e-mail. “However, two things seem clear. Father McCabe saw a need in the Catholic Church and was willing to go against a long-standing tradition and do something countercultural in Catholic Higher Education. Secondly, he was a good Jesuit and followed the procedures of the Society of Jesus in appealing his decision to Rome.”
Since the initial enrollment and acceptance of women at Marquette, attendance has greatly increased. The 2008 freshman class boasted a 53 percent female ratio, according to the Marquette University Admissions Web site. But the impact the past sisters had on education in the elementary system decades ago is still remembered today by Jesuits at Marquette.
While McCabe stepped down as university president in 1911, his willingness to allow women in Catholic institutions had a lasting effect on the success of women at Marquette.
“That year (1909) there were two women graduates. One had a Bachelor of Science — her name was Daisy Wolcott — and then a woman who graduated from the law school that was assumed by the university,” the Rev. Tad Burch said. “There were at least two women graduates in 1910 (from) the professional schools.”
According to Burch, Sister Mary Remi Harrington was the first person to get a Bachelor of Science one year and a Bachelor of Arts the next year in 1913 and 1914, respectively.
Overall, McCabe’s courage to forego tradition as well as his desire to help women better themselves has changed the university’s character forever.
With each passing year, men and women alike graduate from Marquette with newfound perspectives and outlooks on life and their futures ahead.
“It’s nice to get a different perspective, from females and males alike,” said Meghan Dillon, a senior in the College of Health Sciences. “Not to discredit single-sex education, but its just great to hear different viewpoints from various aspects of life and to be able to learn about different experiences people have to or have had to go through throughout their life.”
Tags: Centennial Women Celebration, Father McCabe, James McCabe, Women at Marquette
Loading ...