IN THE EARLY 1900’s women across the world were struggling with numerous social and economic issues. These included the right to vote, fair wages, safe working conditions and healthcare. The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911 and in 1914 the date was permanently moved to March 8. In the nearly 100 years since, March 8th has provided women worldwide with a day for celebration of accomplishments.

According to the website for International Women’s Day, (www.internationalwomensday.com), it “is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.” In some countries March 8th is an official holiday, parallel to the gift-giving and honoring of women on Mother’s Day in American culture.

Norwich holds its own uniqueness regarding women and history at the University. The following notable facts regarding women at Norwich are purely anecdotal and by no means all-inclusive of all that women represent and have accomplished at the University.

In 1974 the University was one of the first military colleges to admit women, two years before the federal service academies. The first class of women who experienced rook week in the Corps of Cadets graduated in 1978.

The first female faculty member and also first to wear a uniform was Professor Jane Bonnette in 1965 who taught mathematics and computer science.

In 1995 Tracey Jones, class of 1996, became the first Norwich student to receive a Rhodes scholarship. Now Tracey Poirier, she is a former Alumni and Development Staff member currently on leave from the University and serving full time in the National Guard.

Currently there are approximately 40 full-time tenured and tenure-track women professors at the University. The Board of Trustees has four female members.

The University offers nine varsity women’s sports. Four teams have achieved varsity status in the last four years---lacrosse, volleyball, rugby and hockey.

There have been three female Regimental Commanders of the Corps of Cadets. The first was Sarah Patchem ’98 in the Academic Year 1997-1998. Hillary Britch ’07 was the second Cadet Colonel in 2007-2008 and currently Alison Lanz is the top officer in the Corps. The academic year 2009-2010 is the first year that two of the three top officers are women with Jessica Corl currently serving as the Deputy Commander.

On Monday, March 8th the Norwich University Athena Society sent an internal notice asking the University community to take time to reflect on the women who have been an influence in their lives. Part of the Athena Society’s mission is “to provide a supportive network for women at Norwich to be successful personally and professionally.”