As the sister of a third-year student at Barnard College, an all women’s liberal arts school in New York City, I have developed a strong understanding of what it means to go to a single-sex institution and why it is so relevant in our blossoming feminist society. Schools such as Wellesley, Barnard, Bryn Mawr and Smith have been outlets for strong female voices for decades, with notable graduates including Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri, chef and television personality Julia Child and acclaimed author Sylvia Plath.
In recent years, culture has reshaped the definition of a woman with increased awareness of the transgender community and gender fluidity. This draws attention to a controversial question: what does it mean to be a woman? In this sense, women’s colleges are a source of immense progress in gender identity and the comprehension of female rights and presence. There is an unspoken understanding of gender discrimination, feminist power and the history of women.
Even without attending one of these institutions, I feel the sacredness of a fully female space. The impact of gender on discussions and conversations between peers and faculty is evident in comparison to coed universities. However, such similar views across the board can also be a disadvantage, when a lack of diversity and distinct perspectives begin to distort a student’s image of society. I think it is key to not separate men and women entirely, and instead create an environment where women feel safe, but not secluded.
Most importantly, women’s colleges break the stereotype of silent women in frilly aprons existing entirely to serve men. They foster a spark in undergraduates to pursue a career in male-dominated fields such as technology, finance, politics and medicine through majors designed to encourage young women to investigate new career paths. They also remind meninists what gender equality truly means, by disproving cliches about powerful female voices. Looking into the application process, students should keep women’s schools in mind. Even if the concept is daunting, they are a crucial component of the collegiate community and represent a larger idea that all men and women are created equal.