1877: Women admitted into U of T for the first time. Before this, women could take exams at the university but they couldn’t go to classes. Barbara Foote is the first woman to enter Arts classes at Victoria College.
1880: Nellie Greenwood is the first woman to enter the undergrad science program at Vic.
1883: Women are refused entry to University College after eleven women attempt to apply. The next year, women are finally admitted.
1886: A residence for women, St. Hilda’s College at Trinity, opens.
1893: Women are allowed to study law and become lawyers. Clara Brett Martin is the first woman to gain entry to U of T Law School. The first certified female dentist also graduates from U of T Dentistry.
1905: Women first admitted into the Faculty of Medicine.
1907: The first female Associate Professors, Anne Laird and Clara Cynthia Benson, are appointed.
1911: A woman is elected for the first time to the U of T Senate.
1919: Hart House opens, but it is only open to male staff and students.
1920: The first Dean of Women, Margaret Addison, is appointed at Vic.
The female Associate Professors are granted the title of Professor.
1930: First woman to receive a PhD in math, the third in Canada.
1952: Coed classes are held for the first time at St. Mike’s.
1966: Abby Hoffman tries to enter Hart House to use its athletic facilities and is thrown out. Hoffman later became an Olympic athlete.
1972: Women are admitted to Hart House.
1973: Salaries of women employees are reviewed by the Provost’s Committee. Raises ranging from $500 to $5000 are handed out.
1976: An equal opportunity policy is implemented by the Governing Council.
1986: Professor Alexandra Johnston becomes the first female Principal of a downtown college. She becomes the head of Victoria College.
