On April 5th the Yale community gathered in the Sterling Memorial Library nave to view a new portrait of Yale’s first women PhDs, awarded in 1894. Yale’s decision to accept women would forever change academia and the course of women’s advancement. The first cohort of women graduates made an indelible mark on American culture as professors, writers, scientists, and activists. The Brooklyn based artist Brenda Zlamany has painted an inspiring portrait of these pioneers.
To learn more about the history of graduate coeducation and about the artist’s process of painting the portrait, talks were given by artist Brenda Zlamany and Yale Chief Archivist Judith Schiff. Remarks were later given by President Salovey and faculty followed by a reception.