Every visitor to the St. Mary’s University campus is first welcomed by the patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her statue, with open arms, graces the main entrance to campus and stands as a symbol of the spiritual values held, taught and instilled into the heart and soul of every member of the St. Mary’s community.

The Marianists founded the University in 1852, creating a place of academic and spiritual excellence, under the protective mantel of the Virgin Mary. When the first Marianist brothers arrived in San Antonio, little did they imagine their tiny school of 12 male students would become the oldest and largest Catholic institution in the Southwest. And, little did they realize the tremendous impact their humble beginnings would have on the women of the Southwest and the influence and contributions these women would have on the University.

Mary’s presence on campus became a true welcome to women and most importantly, a fulfilled Marianist mission, when after 111 years as an officially all-male school the University became fully coeducational in 1963. University enrollment at that time was 2,460, with women numbering 274.

“Women brought new ideas and experiences to St. Mary’s, adding a unique dimension to the University,” says President Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D., a former student, dean and vice president. Pioneer students like Carol Haberman (J.D. ’56) and Hattie Briscoe (J.D. ’56), the first African-American woman to graduate from the School of Law, were among the first few women who attended night classes at the law school’s downtown campus.

“It was difficult and quite challenging in the all-male classes,” says Haberman, 45th District Court Judge since 1977 and a former University trustee. “But Law Dean Ernest Raba and many other professors were most supportive.”

In 1974, Haberman became one of the first female judges in San Antonio.

On a lighter note, the Rev. J. Willis Langlinais, S.M., former dean and vice president and current chaplain of the School of Business and Administration, remembers the problem of too few women’s restrooms on campus. “When women were officially enrolled, we had to solve that problem – and fast.”

He credits the emergence of women on campus to helping the men dress a little bit nicer. “Women, with their very presence and influence, spruced up the place considerably, consequently changing the face of St. Mary’s for the better.”

And the face changed yet again, as women faculty, staff and administrators came to campus. The beloved men in black – Marianist priests and brothers who taught and ran the University – were transformed into a colorful mix of both men and women.

In 1967, Sister Ann Semel, S.S.N.D., Ph.D., came to campus as the third full-time female faculty member, the first in humanities. She remembers well the struggles of women in higher education.

“I was young, and most of my students were men who had not had a female teacher since elementary school,” says Semel. “I was often challenged, and I felt I had to prove myself.”

In the earth sciences department, Sybil Lightfoot was the first female member of the regular instructional staff in 1956. Several Marianist sisters (Daughters of Mary Immaculate), played significant roles at the University, such as Sisters Eileen Cehyra (then known as Sister John Marie), the first women’s dorm directress, and Grace Luther, a longtime graduate professor who helped establish the human services program.

These women and many others have made significant changes – academically, spiritually and socially – at the University, making St. Mary’s what it is today. The University has blossomed into a thriving coeducational institution of more than 4,000 students, with women as the majority. Their major fields of study span all schools and academic disciplines.

Semel, who chaired the English Department for many years and continues to teach classes, is impressed with the women at St. Mary’s today. “They have great confidence in themselves and believe any career is attainable,” she says. And this, she adds, is due in large part to supportive and encouraging Marianists who have helped women make great strides over the years. “We still have work ahead, but we’ve come a long way,” adds Semel.

From the first women graduates, Helen Steele Broden and Alma Pond Carey, in 1929, to the present-day graduates, St. Mary’s has turned out alumnae who give back to the community and possess the discipline and dedication to succeed in life. They are doctors, teachers, lawyers, lay ministers, volunteers, businesswomen, engineers and theologians. They live in San Antonio and across the globe. Moreover they are leaders who, in their daily lives and chosen professions, exemplify the ideals set by the founding Marianist fathers.

Now 150 years after the University’s founding and 39 years since St. Mary’s became co-ed, women have found a special place at the University – as students, faculty, staff and successful alumnae. The faces of these women will change as the years go on, but the spirit of Mother Mary and the ideals lived and taught by the Marianists will remain intact.