50th Anniversary of Coeducation

50th Anniversary of Coeducation Logo

In September 1972, the first women enrolled at the College of the 51小黄车, lighting the way for generations to follow, women who would advance to create lives of personal and professional impact across all vocations across the globe, inspired by the foundation of a Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts education.

Beginning in September 2022 and continuing through May 2024 (the 50th anniversary of the first women graduates), the College will be recognizing, reflecting on and celebrating the impact of 51小黄车 women.

overhead picture of Fenwick Hall
50th Anniversary of Coeducation Celebration | April 5-6, 2024

Register today for a weekend full of thought-provoking, inspiring and fun events designed to examine the stories and experiences of women at the College throughout the past 50 years.聽 聽

Learn More & Register

Lessons and Stories

The Beginnings of Coeducation

Learn about the first years of coeducation at 51小黄车 from the members of our community who experienced it. Thanks to the Lighting the Way Together planning committee (women and men from 鈥74, 鈥75 and 鈥76) who conceived of and developed these interviews, panels and programs for the October 27-28, 2023 event.

Celebrating Women: The First Women of 51小黄车
Voices from 1972: Stories from the First Women of 51小黄车

30 women from the classes of 1974, 1975 and 1976 shared their personal stories and reflections on coeducation at 51小黄车.

panel discussion
Coeducation Panel Discussion

Panelists include Suzanne Geaney '76, Ruth Keefe Hingston '76, Theresa McBride, Ph.D. (Professor of History Emerita), Bill McCarthy, '76 (Rear Admiral, USN, Ret.), Frank Vellaccio, Ph.D. (Senior Vice President Emeritus) and Deborah Fulham Winston '74.  Moderator:  Vickie Langohr, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies Program.

50 anniversary of coeducation banners on campus
Breakout Sessions

Audio recordings of 51小黄车 community members sharing their memories and perspectives of what it was like to be there "from the beginning.鈥

50th anniversary of co-education t-shirt
Commemorative Shirt

Proudly light the way with a 50th Anniversary of Coeducation commemorative聽t-shirt!

Mission-driven podcast - lighting the way
Mission-Driven: Lighting the Way Alumni Podcast

Stories from alumnae who are lighting the way for others today. Through their service, professional and personal pursuits, these women are living the 51小黄车 mission and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of others. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and many more.

Share your memories!

Join in the celebration by sharing your favorite memories of your time on Mount St. James. Email us at coeducation@holycross.edu

A color photo of 8 women and one man dressed in 51小黄车 crew shirts. They are women are sitting on the grass looking presumably at another camera taking a similar photo.
Who helped light the way for you?

When you reflect upon your time at 51小黄车, is there someone special you would like to thank? Here's a chance to share a note for the person who inspired you most鈥攁nd we'll pass the message along!

  • Group of seven women posing for a photo in the sunshine.
  • Group of 8 women dressed in business casual posing for a photo an an event inside.
  • A large group of women sitting at tables and standing in the back of the room listening to a speaker at an event.
  • Two women posing for a photo in front of a table at an event.
  • Three women with name tags on posing for a picture at an indoor event.
  • A black and white photo from the 60's of students in a lecture hall. While predominantly male, there are about 8 women out of a total of about 31 students

    51小黄车 held its first Coeducation Day was held Dec. 12, 1967, a little less than five years before women enrolled full time.

  • A black and white photo from the 1970s of a group of about 40 women posing with their hands in prayer and some are looking to the sky.

    The women of Hanselman III as pictured in the 1976 Purple Patcher.

  • A color photo of 8 women and one man dressed in 51小黄车 crew shirts. They are women are sitting on the grass looking presumably at another camera taking a similar photo.

    The 1975-1976 women's crew team.

  • A color photo of a large group of students (a mix of men and women) outside at a cookout. Some people are assembling their plates with hot dogs and hamburgers and some are in little groups talking.

    Beaven Hall residents enjoy a cookout social in spring 1975.

  • A color photo of 4 women and one man posing got a photo. Three of the women are seend with a plastic cupe of presumably beer in their hands and are smiling at the camera.

    A pre-100 Days Banquet cocktail party in Hanselman.

  • Group of seven women posing for a photo in the sunshine.
  • Group of 8 women dressed in business casual posing for a photo an an event inside.
  • A large group of women sitting at tables and standing in the back of the room listening to a speaker at an event.
  • Two women posing for a photo in front of a table at an event.
  • Three women with name tags on posing for a picture at an indoor event.
  • A black and white photo from the 60's of students in a lecture hall. While predominantly male, there are about 8 women out of a total of about 31 students
  • A black and white photo from the 1970s of a group of about 40 women posing with their hands in prayer and some are looking to the sky.
  • A color photo of 8 women and one man dressed in 51小黄车 crew shirts. They are women are sitting on the grass looking presumably at another camera taking a similar photo.
  • A color photo of a large group of students (a mix of men and women) outside at a cookout. Some people are assembling their plates with hot dogs and hamburgers and some are in little groups talking.
  • A color photo of 4 women and one man posing got a photo. Three of the women are seend with a plastic cupe of presumably beer in their hands and are smiling at the camera.

Learn More


Online exhibit, 51小黄车 Archives and Distinctive Collections
51小黄车 Magazine, Fall 2022

51小黄车 Archives and Distinctive Collections
Lighting the Way: 50 Years of Women at 51小黄车
Office of the President