Physical Representation
by Zoe Malavenda When walking into Matthews, Meredith, and Shreve Halls, how often do we acknowledge the work these women did for the university? It is important to ask the question of why such research on Mary Matthews, Virginia Meredith, and Eleanor Shreve is necessary. I entered these buildings as a student would if they were simply going to their dorm or class and evaluated the physical depictions of the… Read More
Mary Matthews
by Zoe Malavenda Being raised by a strong woman like Virginia Meredith, Mary Matthews learned firsthand how to break barriers and create opportunities for women. After her mother died when she was a toddler, Virginia adopted Mary and her brother. Mary would go everywhere with Virginia including her speeches at universities and agriculture conventions [1]. Mary graduated from the University of Minnesota with a home economics degree, a program that… Read More
Betty Nelson: Leaving a Legacy
by Anna Szolwinski Betty Nelson knows how to go out in style. In 1995, Betty retired from Purdue with a celebration titled “Betty’s Blast-Off, Celebrating Dean Nelson’s Past, Present, and Future.” (1) Guests were invited to the social with invitations depicting ice cream cones and the words “Here’s the Scoop!” Betty’s “fan club members,” of which there were many, lined up to give their best wishes for the retiring… Read More
Purdue’s Support During World War II
by Stephen Goula “Students should not become panicky, but must realize that during the present emergency, as well as the years following the war, there will be a great need for large numbers of men and women trained in the sciences.” (1) These were the words from the Purdue Exponent on December 9th, 1941 two days following Pearl Harbor. Historically, Purdue is known for its involvement in military training because… Read More
Meredith Hall
by Zoe Malavenda While walking around campus, students pass building after building, each one named after a different person. Do they ever stop to think, who are these people and why is this building named after them? Each one of these namesakes has a story, one that is not often known or recognized by the students that inhabit these buildings each day. Meredith Hall Built in 1952, Meredith… Read More
Betty Nelson: Sleuthing in Bluefield
by Anna Szolwinski Dean Betty Nelson has come to be one of the most highly respected figures in Purdue history. Known for being an “iron fist in a velvet glove,” Betty pioneered the fight for the disabled and contributed to the revolution for women’s rights during her time at Purdue. Female students such as Teresa Roche and Jane Hamblin revere Betty for her commitment to furthering the status of women… Read More
Women in ROTC
by Stephen Goula Many Americans feel a desire to answer a call for duty. I myself answered that call in 2010 and now plan to commission and serve in the Army for as long as the Army will allow. Women within the American ranks that desired military service have always answered that call when our nation asked them to. For women though, answering that call came with restrictions regarding the… Read More