Women in UNC History
While the Carolina Women's Leadership Council is indeed the first time the University has made an organized, pointed and focused attempt to involve women specifically - the tradition of major support by women for Carolina is long and storied.
Did you know that Carolina's first continuously held professorship was established by a woman? Or that in 1917, UNC's largest gift to date was from a woman.
It's true. In 1891, Mary Ann Smith, a Raleigh resident and the only child of a well-known Raleigh merchant, endowed the Mary Ann Smith Professorships in Chemistry- UNC 's oldest continuous professorships. Smith also funded construction of the Mary Ann Smith Building, located between New West Building and Swain Hall.
And in 1917, Mary Lily Kenan Flagler Bingham, wife of Henry Flagler and later Judge Robert Bingham, left $2.3 million dollars to fund the Kenan Professorships, which are still funding great professors. At the time, newspapers said it was the largest gift ever made to a state university.
The support of women has played a vital role in the University's success and is even more critical as Carolina works to become the nation's leading public university. Since 1976, when female students outnumbered male students for the first time, Carolina women have been involved in every aspect of campus life. Whether student, professor, dean, alumna or friend of the University, women are making a difference at Carolina.
More Leading Women in Carolina History
Sallie Walker Stockard was Carolina's first female graduate (Class of 1889).
Mary Ruffin Smith gave UNC 1,500 acres in the 1800s in Chatham County. She also gave 200 books to the library and enough money to build a power plant for the campus.
Mary Elizabeth Morgan Mason bequeathed 800 acres in 1894 that now encompass Finley Golf Course, the Ronald McDonald House, four fraternity houses, the Friday Continuing Education Center and most of the N.C. Botanical Garden's Mason Farm Biological Reserve.
Sarah Graham Kenan established the Southern Historical Collection and the Horace Williams Fellowships in Philosophy in 1929.
Katherine Kennedy Carmichael served as Dean of Women, surrogate mother, friend and counselor to Carolina women for 26 years.
Gladys Coates was vital in the founding of the Institute of Government.
