Ann Bannon
Ann Bannon graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in French in 1954. As an alum, Ann wrote six lesbian pulp fiction novels known as “The Beebo Brinker Chronicles.” Her writing reflected upon her sexuality and its relation to her experiences in her sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma while a student. She received critical acclaim and several awards for her ground-breaking work.
Betty Lou Bailey
Betty Lou Bailey graduated from the University of Illinois in 1950 with a degree from the Mechanical Science and Engineering Department. She graduated in the top three percent of her class of 700, and was the only female in the class. During her career, Betty Lou worked as a registered professional engineer in Ohio and New York, and was also active in technical organizations including the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Engineering Joint Council, and the American Society of Engineering Education. She was the first female member in the Engineering Society of Cincinnati, an organization that focused on mentoring high school students. In 1988, the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University named her a distinguished alumna. She was the only woman to receive this award during its first 45 years of existence.
Chung Sul Yuon
Chung Sul Yuon, an international student from South Korea, graduated in 1955 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. She was the first woman in more than 30 years to major in chemical engineering, and the first Korean woman as well. While a student, she was involved in Orchesis and was also the Class Secretary and Treasurer. At Commencement, she received a gift from the wife of the President of South Korea for her achievement.
Clarice Davis Presnells
Clarice Davis Presnells graduated in 1952 with a degree in political science. In her senior year as a student, she became the first African American Homecoming Queen not only at U of I, but in Big 10 history, in what is said to be the biggest vote for Homecoming queen in the history of the University with over 5,000 votes As a student, Clarice was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
uck Choo Oh
Duck Choo Oh, a Korea native, graduated with a degree in Sociology in 1956. She was named homecoming queen in 1955 and was the only Korean Homecoming Queen in the history of the tradition. As a student, she lived in McKinley Hall and was active in the residence hall’s social events. She was able to complete her degree with a room and board scholarship sponsored by the Women’s Group System and Panhellenic Council.
Jane Hayes Rader
Jane Hayes Rader graduated from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1954 and eventually became a member of the Board of Trustees in 1973. As a student, she was heavily involved in university proceedings and student government. She was a member of the sorority Pi Beta Phi and often participated in the student organization Star Course. She volunteered with the “Foster Daughter” program. As an alum, she was a member of the UI Foundation, the Alumni Association, and the Athletic Association and always used her positions within these organizations to advocate for female students. Jane was the first woman to receive the Distinguished Service Award at UI in 1986.
Jean Due
Jean Due received her Master of Science from the University of Illinois in 1950 and her Ph.D. in 1953, and became a professor in Agricultural and Consumer Economics. She was involved in the Women and Gender Global Perspectives Program (WGGP) and committed to providing educational opportunities to women in Africa. Her primary area of academic interest was international agriculture and specialized as a development economist of East Africa. She made over 40 trips, spanning 40 years primarily to East Africa to improve the lives of women through improved agricultural production and microfinancing. Time Magazine published an article, "The Most-Read Female Writers in College Classes" in February 2016 and Jean was named 15th on the list.
Jane Hayes Rader
Nancy Brazell Brooks graduated in 1953 with a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering. As a graduate student, Nancy secured a research assistantship with Nathan Newmark and became the first woman on the department's graduate student research staff. From 1953 to 1955, Nancy led research work for the Physical Vulnerability Division of the Directorate of Intelligence of the United States Air Force. In 1998, Nancy won the first Distinguished Alumna Award from the Civil Engineering Department. Before her death in 2008, she and her husband established a graduate student fellowship in Civil Engineering.
Phyllis Hill
Phyllis Hill joined the University of Illinois faculty in 1952, and eventually, began working on her PhD. During her time at the U of I, she served as Professor, Associate Dean, and Acting Dean of the College of Applied Life Studies (now Applied Health Sciences). Dr. Hill led the college through the tumultuous years of merging the men's and women's athletic/physical education programs which in turn required major restructuring of the academic programs, degree requirements, and standards for student academic life. In 2004, Dr. Hill returned to Illinois for a university-wide recognition of women who had distinguished themselves in various collegiate sports or as administrators of women's sports before the days when such acknowledgements were not accorded to women.
Wilma Vaught
Wilma Vaught graduated with a Business degree in 1952. As an alum, she became the first female Air Force Officer to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. She joined the military when there were strict restrictions on women in the military. She is now "Brigadier General" Wilma Vaught, chairperson of NATO Women in the Allied Forces Committee, and the first and only woman selected for the promotion to Brigadier General.