Alice Cheever Bryan
Alice Cheever Bryan was among the first class of female graduates at the University of Illinois. She graduated in 1874 with a degree in the Humanities. While a student, she helped organize the Alethenai Literary Society and was one of the first officers. Alice’s notebooks from her years as a student are held in the University Archives and include notes from lectures by Regent John Gregory and Professor Don Taft.
Amelia Darling Alpiner Stern
Amelia Darling Alpiner Stern graduated in 1896 with a degree in English and Modern Languages. She is said to be the first female Jewish student to graduate from the University of Illinois and was a founding member of the University’s first sorority, Pi Beta Phi. As an alum, she organized the University of Illinois Mothers Association and became its first president in 1923.
Anita M. Kellogg
Anita M. Kellogg was a staff member in Physical Education beginning in 1893. She acted as the Director of Physical Culture for Women, as well as an instructor in elocution. As one of the very first female staff members at the University, she taught all courses offered by the Department of Oratory and Oral Rhetoric until it dissolved in 1895.
Jennette E. C. Lincoln
Jennette E. C. Lincoln was hired in 1898 as Director of Physical Training for Women and held this position until 1909. In 1913, she wrote The Festival Book: May Day Pastime and the May-Pole which described various dances and games to be used in schools. In the 1909 Illio, student Elizabeth Nuckols wrote an article titled “May-Pole Review” and said, “The University of Illinois ranks among the first colleges to establish such a custom, and it is through the never ceasing efforts of Mrs. Lincoln, that the May Pole dance has become one of the traditions of the University. Mrs. Lincoln has not only given us a tradition which inspires every student girl, but she has emphasized the value of the spirit of play in one of the most artistic and beautiful forms of out-door life.”
Louise Freer
Katherine L. Sharp completed her library degree at the New York State Library School in 1882 under the tutelage of Melvile Dewey, creator of the Dewey Decimal Classification system. Katherine founded the first library science program in the mid-west at the Armour Institute in Chicago in 1893. Four years later, the program moved to Urbana and was renamed the Illinois State Library School. Katherine created the first curriculum and built a firm foundations for the school, establishing a program of excellence that remains to this day.
Katherine Merrill
Katherine Merrill is known as the first female professor at the University of Illinois. She was hired as Assistant Professor of Literature in 1892. She was also known as "preceptress" to the university students, which was an unofficial title before the University created the position of “Dean of Women.”
Louisa C. Allen
Louisa C. Allen was hired in 1874 in the Domestic Science Department, the same year the first class of female students graduated. Although not given the title of Professor, many consider her to be the first female faculty member at the University of Illinois. Louisa established the first domestic science course and laid the groundwork for the Domestic Science School as well as a calisthenics program for women.
Lucy Flower
Lucy Flower was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1895. She was the first female trustee and consequently, the first elected female official in the state of Illinois. Lucy was influential in gains for women at the University, including the hiring of female faculty, the creation of a Woman's Department and Woman's Building, establishing and hiring a Dean of Women, establishing the Department of Household Science, and admittance of female students to the medical school.
Martha Jackson Kyle
Martha Jackson Kyle graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1897 and an AM in 1899, both in English/Rhetoric. After graduating in 1899, she was hired to teach English and Rhetoric courses to students. Martha was Acting Dean of Undergraduates in 1905-06, which also allowed her to sit on the Council of Administration at a time when few women were at the table.
Mary Louise Page
Mary Louise Page graduated in 1878 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Engineering. Mary was the first female in the United States to graduate with an architecture degree. Later, she became active in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
Violet DeLille Jayne
Violet DeLille Jayne was the first Dean of Women at the University of Illinois. She served on the Council of Administration and fought for women to be more independent in higher education. Violet was instrumental in establishing the Watcheka League (later known as the Woman's League) and the first women's Illini (now the Daily Illini) issue, a newspaper including articles written exclusively by female students on campus. In addition, she helped start the first women’s basketball team which existed before a men’s team was ever organized.