Women Arrive

WWII took an enormous toll on Bard, with most of its students enlisting or being drafted into service (in 1943, only five students graduated). Admitting women helped the College remain open, but required that it sever its ties with Columbia University, the charter of which would not allow women to be admitted. In the fall of 1944, Bard admitted its first class including women.

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Students working, ca. 1958.

In the sculpture studio in Orient Hall, Ruth Neal ’52 works on a bust, while May Elwinger ’53 sweeps the studio as part of her Community Service Project commitment.
Campus work scene, with Karl Wedemeyer '55 and Pamela Lerner '56, 1955.

Karl Wedemeyer ’55 and Pamela Lerner ’56 work on a Ford truck as part of their Community Service Project. As the name suggests, Community Service Projects at Bard brought students into direct contact with work designed to benefit the larger community. Students were asked to commit two hours per week to these activities.
Cynthia Marris Gross '54 reads to Emerald McKenzie '52, 1952.

McKenzie, seen here with her seeing-eye dog, Karen, lost her vision as a young girl. Gross acted as McKenzie’s “reader” throughout their shared time at Bard.
Six unidentified women play basketball in the Memorial Gymnasium, ca. 1950.

Six unidentified women play basketball in the Memorial Gymnasium.
Language instructor Anita Walker and Jacqueline Clark ’50, 1950.

The two are seated on the circular bench surrounding the Lyre Tree, formerly on the lawn in front of Aspinwall.
Painting class with Fred Segal '49 and Louise Fitzhugh '51, ca. 1949.

Fred Segal ’49 paints an impression of Louise Fitzhugh ’51. Fitzhugh eventually graduated from Barnard and became a writer, best known for her book Harriet the Spy.
Campus work scene, with Gloria Milgrim '48, 1948.

Gloria Milgrim ’48 stands beside a work truck parked next to Stone Row.
Dance performance, June 1948.

The Bard Dance Workshop performed individually choreographed pieces to the music of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. This image is a scene from “Bydlo,” choreographed by Janice Rabinowitz Rosenbaum ’51.