Firsts for Women

1929 First to receive Bachelor of Arts degrees: Helen Steele Broden and Alma Pond Carey

1938 First to earn Master of Arts degrees: Jennie Mae Frazer, Dorothy M. Jennings, Frances S. Jones, Mary Fuller Lilly, Sadie H. Maxwell, Kathleen McCoy, Norma E. McIntire, Zora W. Melton

1949 First to earn Bachelor of Science degree and become medical doctor: Mary Theresa Sullivan

1956 First African-American to graduate from the School of Law: Hattie Elam Briscoe

1964 First dean of women: Dora Grossenbacher (J.D. ’57), who went on to become St. Mary’s first dean of students

1965 First to receive Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award: Jewell Silber (B.A. ’37, M.A. ’41)

1970 First director of undergraduate admissions: Anne M. Kennedy

1976 First president of Alumni Association: Henrietta “Hank” Montagna (B.A. ’63)

1982 First appointed to The Academy of St. Mary’s as a Scholar: Sybil Lightfoot

1983 First to receive Marianist Heritage Award: Melba Fisher (B.A. ’85)

1984 First to receive Distinguished Faculty Award by the Alumni Association: Rose Marie Cutting and Joan Lamm (B.B.A. ’74, M.B.A. ’77)

1986 First president of Student Government Association: Julie Van Haute (B.B.A. ’87)

1989 First academic dean: Barbara Bader Aldave, School of Law

1992 First officer on Board of Trustees: Audreyjane Castro

1993 First University vice president: Ruth Rodgers, Student Development

2000 First commander of ROTC: Lt. Col. Anna Alvarado