About the Author
MEREDITH CLAY (SHE/HER)

Clay is an undergraduate research apprentice in the Global Arts + Humanities’ 2024-25 Society of Fellows cohort. She is a third-year student majoring in history with minors in French and history of art. She is also a recipient of the Hoffman Leaders and History Fellowship which has allowed her to pursue research on women pursuing advanced degrees following Title IX. Her work, which was awarded the History Department’s Early Career Success Award, examines resources for women at Midwestern public institutions. Clay serves as Vice President of Alumni Outreach for Student-Alumni Council, acting as the primary liaison between students and alumni while overseeing numerous alumni and student events. Looking ahead, she plans to attend law school, where she aims to combine her research expertise and passion for advocacy to later pursue civil service.

Project Overview

Though Title IX marked a huge turning point for gender equity in higher education, true progress required more than just legislation. This project explores the key women at The Ohio State University, the University of Minnesota and West Virginia University who championed institutions, policies and networks that pushed beyond legal requirements to create lasting change. Through oral histories, archival research and statistical analysis, this study highlights the individuals that fought to support women in these male-dominated institutions, helping mitigate sexual harassment and establish mentorship programs that could empower future generations. By examining their stories, we gain a deeper understanding of the systematic barriers left unaddressed by Title IX and the women who refused to let them remain.

At West Virginia University, women like Melanie Cook led the Council for Women’s concerns, championing initiatives like the Women’s Studies Program and responding to ongoing gender discrimination and sexual harassment. At the University of Minnesota, Anne Truax spearheaded institutional change as the head of the Women’s Center, establishing the Women’s Studies Department and working to mitigate sexual harassment cases across campus. Turning towards our home institution, The Ohio State University witnessed change driven by a collective force of women. In 1986, twenty-two women launched Critical Difference for Women after uncovering alarmingly low retention rates for women in graduate and professional programs. Despite Title IX protections, systemic barriers still discouraged women from completing advanced degrees. Through their collaboration, they built an institutional framework that provided mentorship, financial support and advocacy to empower women in higher education, ultimately resulting in women like Gay Hadley to establish Women’s Place, a supportive community that continues to offer childcare and reentry scholarships to women all across Ohio.

Statistics

Pre-Title IX: From 1887 through 1972, 0.00342% West Virginia University engineering graduates were women.

Post Title IX: In the years 1980-1981 at Ohio State, married students enrolled in professional colleges were 78% men.

Bridging gender gaps within collegiate athletics and degree acceptances, Title IX had significant impacts on the number of women pursuing higher education and athletics. Nevertheless, the collegiate atmosphere was crafted by and for men, leaving substantial inequities even following this protective legislation. There existed structural and inherent challenges facing women that remained even following Title IX protections. Whether it be societal discontent with women in specific fields, the shaming of mothers in arduous occupations, or the financial burden of extended upper-level academia, women had to hurdle more barriers in becoming successful students and professors.