A group of Providence College students sitting on grass and speaking into a microphone.

Welcoming Change

On September 13, 1971, Providence College welcomed 339 women (287 freshmen and 52 transfers) to their first day of class.

Many changes took place on campus to prepare for the new students. Aquinas Hall was closed the previous year for renovations to create the women's dormitory. Campus rules and guidelines for everything from orientation to the gymnasium had to be reviewed and revised.

Shifting campus norms to a coeducational environment meant establishing new rules to live and study by. The Student Handbook was updated and special guidelines for Aquinas Hall, the women’s dorm, were drawn up.

Cover of the Providence Magazine showing a woman sitting on grass outside with several men sitting on a stone wall in the background. The top reads 'Providence Volume VI, No. 4 October 1970' and the bottom reads 'The first coed.'

Providence College 1970 October

Maureen A. Whalen '75 was the first woman accepted to Providence College as part of the inaugural coeducational class. Read More

Providence College Student Handbook 1971-1972

A group of young people, both men and women, standing outside a building talking to one another. The photograph is part of a display about the college's Summer Orientation Program, highlighting the anticipation of the fall opening with the first coeducational class and new curriculum at the college.

Providence College Orientation

In July 1971, Providence College held its first summer orientation in anticipation of the many changes due to coeducation.

Black and white photograph showing three people in a room. One person is seated at a table with a box of files, reaching out towards another person who is standing and pointing to the right. The third person is partially visible in the background.

Women at Providence College

Collage of black and white photographs from a newspaper page, featuring various scenes of people, text snippets, and headlines.

Collage Welcoming the First Coeducational Class at Providence College

Four women sit on the grass outside. One woman is holding a microphone, interviewing the other three.

Journalist Interviews Women Students at Providence College

Perspectives

The Providence College experience for many women that first year included a mix of successes and challenges. Much of the honest reflection and airing of frustrations played out in the student newspaper, The Cowl.

A piece of paper taped to a door that reads 'Gym will be open for girls only each Tuesday 6:00pm until 7:00pm Wednesday 2:00pm until 3:00pm.'

Gym Hours Signage

"...black women at PC aren't running away from anyone or anything. Rather, we are running toward the prospect of being teachers, scholars, chemists, translators, and even psychologists. The role of the black woman used to be one of supporter. She assumed the role of backbone of her family and her man. Now she is learning to maintain herself."

- Carol Charmagne Byrd, "The Black Woman at Providence College" The Cowl, January 19, 1972

“The co-eds who are attending Providence College are NOT dumb broads from New York City; just a casual look at the Dean’s list can testify to this…. I guess we should sit back and be thankful that the athletic department has acknowledged our existence and generously awarded us 3 hours a week to use the gym.”

- Peggy O’Donnell, “Letter to the Editor” The Cowl, March 8, 1972.

Commencement

On May 27, 1975, Providence College Commencement marked the end of the first four years of coeducation. In that inaugural class, 212 women received their degrees. Less than 10 years later, the number of women graduates surpassed the men, with 410 women and 393 men in the class of 1983.

Three women standing on grass outside wearing graduation regalia. One graduate is holding a degree. There are several people in the background and a parked car.