women in hats and dresses making snowballs on the Quad

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: UA’s Women Students

March 18, 2024 1 min read
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Julia Tutwiler, Anna Adams, Bessie Parker, Autherine Lucy, Vivian Malone — these are famous names in the history of UA women. Because of trailblazers like them, thousands of women such as those pictured here have excelled at UA and each generation has expanded opportunities for the next.

8 women in long dresses and mortarboard, circa 1900, Courtesy of The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections.
Eight of the 10 women attending UA in 1899, and the first to live in a women’s residence on campus.
Women tennis players circa 1910 Courtesy of The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections.
UA women have always loved sports! Tennis players, circa 1910.
women at a university convocation 1940s Courtesy of The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections.
UA had a strict dress code for female students for many years. Women’s convocation, 1940s.
Two women in dorm room. Courtesy of The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections.
Dorm life in Mary Burke Hall sometime in the 1960s.
African American female student taking notes in class. Courtesy of The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections.
After dress codes but before laptops. Class time in 1989.
Group of young women walking Courtesy of The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections.
UA women students have a long history of service. AIDS Awareness Walk, 1990s.
For many years, women students’ curfew prohibited them from staying out late enough to take in a play.
Woman looking through microscope
As more opportunities for students open up, women embrace them.
Two women in commencement regalia, smiling
The pride in reaching the goal never changes.
Woman looks at laptop while sitting on Quad bench
UA women have come so far since 1892. What does tomorrow hold?