Women in Aberystwyth University's history

Scroll down to find out more about some of the women who we are celebrating for their contribution to Aberystwyth University in academia and beyond.

First Female Student

The first woman to join the University College of Wales was Louise Davies. After winning an entrance exhibition, she joined the College in 1884 aged 16. For about 3 months she was the only woman in College, until others began to join her.

Scarcely authentic students?

Although the standard histories of the College name Louise Davies as the first female student, there had actually been women studying at Aberystwyth since 1875 in the Music department. These women studied under Joseph Parry (who is famous himself for composing the Welsh tune Myfanwy).

These women have been overlooked by historians of the College, including Dr E. L. Ellis who wrote the 1972 history of the institution:

“Of course, there had been women part-time students of Music in Joseph Parry’s day, but they were scarcely regarded as authentic students”

In 1874, two women, Kate Rees and Lizzie Edwards (both from Aberystwyth), studied music at the College. Above is a picture of the women from 1875-6 and we are able to put some names alongside the picture:

  1. Hattie Davies, Cardiff
  2. Maggie Edwards, Ffestiniog
  3. G Griffiths, Llanberis
  4. Mary Jones, Aberystwyth
  5. Nellie Owens, USA
  6. Annie Williams, Cardiff
  7. Cordelia Edwards, Barmouth

We don’t know which of these faces match the names – if you do, please let us know.

First Female Graduate

The first woman graduate with a degree from Aberystwyth was Mary Louisa Carter.

 

Professor, Head of Department and Acting Principal

Lily Newton is an important member of Aberystwyth staff. Not only was she the first female professor and Head of Department at Aberystwyth (1930), but she became acting Principal after the death of Ifor Evans in 1952. She taught Botany and eventually retired from the College in 1958. 

Halls of Residence

Aberystwyth was the first university to have a purpose-built women's halls of residence. The halls were named after Princess Alexandra who officially opened the halls herself in June 1896. 

A room in Alexandra Hall:

Equality by Charter

The 1896 Charter of the University makes it clear that equality is a key part of Aberystwyth’s mission:

“Women shall be eligible equally with men for admittance to any Degree which the University is by this Our Charter authorized to confirm. Every office hereby created in the University and the membership of every authority hereby constituted shall be open to women equally with men”.