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An 1884 graduate of Morgantown High School, Lillian May Hackney taught public school in Monongalia County for several years before entering WVU in 1889. Following her graduation from the University in 1893, she taught high school for one year in Cleveland, Ohio and then accepted a position as instructor of mathematics at Marshal Normal School in Huntington. Hackney remained at Marshall for 45 years. During the course of her lengthy career, she undertook additional work at Cornell, Columbia, the University of Chicago and the University of Marburg (Germany). She belonged to the AAUW as well as to several state and national mathematics associations.

1321. Portrait of Lillian Hackney

The daughter of WVU professor Powell Benton Reynolds, Richmond native Mabel Curry Reynolds worked her way through WVU by teaching in the Morgantown public schools. She was active in a wide variety of women's organizations during this course of her life, including the Women's League of West Virginia branch of the General Federation of Women's Clubs during the 1920's. In 1908 Reynolds married attorney Samuel Fuller Glasscock. The couple had no children.

1322. Portrait of Mabel Reynolds

Twins Anna and Stella White were the first women to earn Bachelor of Science degrees at WVU. Science degrees were especially attractive to women, who often had less secondary-level Latin and Greek languages needed for B.A.s--than their male peers. B.S. students took French or German. The White family moved to Morgantown from Ohio in 1886 They came, as did others, to give children access to higher education. In the 1890's all 6 White siblings (4 sons and the twins) attended WVU.

1323. Portrait of Anna White in Cap and Gown

Twins, Anna and Stella White, were the first women to earn Bachelor of Science degrees from WVU. In 1886, the family sold their Ohio farm and moved to Morgantown so their children - 4 sons and two daughters, could attend WVU. Family or one parent relocation with students was not uncommon in and era when mid-western state universities did not routinely erect dormitories.

1324. Portrait of Stella White

Lucy Wood was the first WVU woman to go to the far East as a missionary teacher,where she died giving birth to her only child, Faith Lawrence. Infant Faith was sent home to Morgantown to be raised by Ruth Wood. Faith graduated from WVU in 1927.

1325. Portrait of Lucy Wood

The Wood sisters, Ruth and Lucy were early WVU students. Ruth entered WVU in 1890 and left after falling ill with typhoid fever. She became the first female stenographer in Morgantown (1895), the first woman to run for political office in Monongalia County, (1926) and the first West Virginia woman to become a certified Realtor.

1326. Portrait of Ruth and Lucy Wood

The Spinster Club in Gym Suits, 1903. From left: Ruth Wood, Sallie Bennett, Willa Brand, Stella Hall, Lucy Wood, Minnie Core, Josie Kunkle. Lucy Wood left a letter which mentioned wearing her gym suit as one of six layers to keep warm in western China.

1327. Spinster Club, West Virginia University

The Spinster Club at Lucy Wood Lawrence's wedding, February 18, 1908. From left: Bess Brown, Willa Brand, Sallie Bennett, Lucy Wood, Minnie Core, Josie Kunkle, Tillie Bernhardt. The Spinster Club of Morgantown flourished by the first decade of this century. At least two members married. All were Morgantowners who had graduated from high school and several had finished West Virginia University. Most were teachers. The Club met to socialize and visit on Saturday nights, with an occasional male friend or fiance allowed to attend. Members helped Ruth Wood, a pioneer stenographer, Realtor,and political candidate, raise her sister Lucy's daughter after Lucy died in China giving birth to her only child.

1328. Spinster Club, West Virginia University

1329. Girl with Microscope, West Virginia University

Leah Anderson became the first woman to be elected student body president of West Virginia University in 1975.

1330. Portrait of Leah Anderson, West Virginia University

WVU's first graduate, Marmaduke H. Dent of Monongalia County, received his diploma in 1870. By 1875, Dent had been admitted to the West Virginia Bar and opened an office in Grafton, Taylor County. Dent was elected Judge of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in 1892.

1331. Portrait of Marmaduke H. Dent, West Virginia University

1332. WVU Cadet Corps