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Anne Natvig in the Strength of Materials Laboratory, 1954-55<br/>As more men went overseas during World War II and the Korean War, more women came to the University of Michigan where they became a significant force in science and engineering. Registration in Waterman Gym, September 1951<br/>Before computers at the University of Michigan, registration for classes involved numerous forms, long lines, and a good deal of patience. University of Michigan World War II Army Units<br/>A frequent sight on the University of Michigan campus. Rifle practice, circa 1950<br/>Despite having heavy courseloads, students still found time to pursue extracirricular activites. The Rifle Club in the lower level of the Women's Athletic Building by Mosher-Jordan was especially popular. 'Something a bit unusual, a girl surveying.' 1937<br/>Engineering students in surveying courses would line the hill working on their measurements, an old joke. Company B-4 entering the Union at chow time, 1943<br/>Despite many advancements around campus, women still could not enter through the front door of the Michigan Union except on football Saturdays. Willow Run Village, 1949<br/>Many of the women featured on this website worked during and after graduation at the University of Michigan Aeronautical Research Laboratories at Willow Run. Willow Run Research Center, June 1954<br/>In addition to jobs at the University of Michigan Aeronautical Research Laboratories at Willow Run, these women also worked at Parke-Davis, Bendix, Chrysler Missle, and General Dynamics. Left to right: Barbara Sloat, Sally Dunnick (WIS Program Assistant), and Addie Hunter (CEW/WIS Secretary) at the Women In Science office at Center for the Education of Women, 1983 Science Day on Campus, 1984<br/>Always with an eye to the future, Women In Science and Engineering provides programs to inspire and support young women while they pursue their dreams.
  • Anne Natvig in the Strength of Materials Laboratory, 1954-55<br/>As more men went overseas during World War II and the Korean War, more women came to the University of Michigan where they became a significant force in science and engineering.
  • Registration in Waterman Gym, September 1951<br/>Before computers at the University of Michigan, registration for classes involved numerous forms, long lines, and a good deal of patience.
  • University of Michigan World War II Army Units<br/>A frequent sight on the University of Michigan campus.
  • Rifle practice, circa 1950<br/>Despite having heavy courseloads, students still found time to pursue extracirricular activites. The Rifle Club in the lower level of the Women's Athletic Building by Mosher-Jordan was especially popular.
  • 'Something a bit unusual, a girl surveying', 1937<br/>Engineering students in surveying courses would line the hill working on their measurements, an old joke.
  • Company B-4 entering the Union at chow time, 1943<br/>Despite many advancements around campus, women still could not enter through the front door of the Michigan Union except on football Saturdays.
  • Willow Run Village, 1949<br/>Many of the women featured on this website worked during and after graduation at the University of Michigan Aeronautical Research Laboratories at Willow Run.
  • Willow Run Research Center, June 1954<br/>In addition to jobs at the University of Michigan Aeronautical Research Laboratories at Willow Run, these women also worked at Parke-Davis, Bendix, Chrysler Missle, and General Dynamics.
  • Left to right: Barbara Sloat, Sally Dunnick (WIS Program Assistant), and Addie Hunter (CEW/WIS Secretary) at the Women In Science office at Center for the Education of Women, 1983
  • Science Day on Campus, 1984<br/>Always with an eye to the future, Women In Science and Engineering provides programs to inspire and support young women while they pursue their dreams.







A Series of Firsts: Women In Michigan Science and Engineering celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Women In Science and Engineering Program (WISE) at the University of Michigan. Comprised of in-depth interviews with twelve alumnae, this website documents the experiences of women who earned Bachelor or Master of Science degrees at the University of Michigan between 1942-1957. Many of the women went on to pursue successful careers in the sciences, working as professors at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Toledo, or in the private sector for companies that included Shell Chemical, North American Aviation and the Ford Company.

Now skip ahead twenty years to Barbara Sloat's interview, which focuses on the founding and early years of the Women In Science program. Presenting a unique viewpoint of academic life after second wave feminism, she discusses the challenges WISE faced in its early years, not the least of which was annual fundraising. She also highlights some of the most rewarding programs and resources they developed in those first five years including the Warner-Lambert Lecture Series, the Women Faculty in the Sciences Resource Directory, and an annual conference for women in science.

Acknowledgements

This project is funded by a generous contribution from the University of Michigan Alumnae Birthday Greeting Council. The Alumnae Council is the association of women graduates of the University of Michigan. The Birthday Greeting Campaign is an annual campaign that appeals exclusively to alumnae and women who support the U-M.

Editors

  • Jocelyn Anleitner
  • Kaitlyn Beyer
  • Candyce Boyd
  • Meredith Browner
  • Cinda-Sue Davis

  • Dejah Rubel
  • Debbie Taylor
  • Kate Waggoner
  • Christine Walker






Cover thumbnailAll of the interviews on the website are also available in the softbound book A Series of Firsts: Women In Michigan Science and Engineering from the Bentley Historical Library.

Order by emailing us umwise@umich.edu and we will tell you the shipping cost.

Or download the FREE PDF for your computer or e-reader.