March is Women’s History Month, and Coastal Carolina University’s history is rich with strong and impactful women who have helped build this University from the ground up. To recognize and honor their contributions to this institution, region and state, we will highlight some of these women throughout the month of March!
THE WOMEN
2019 HTC Distinguished Teacher Scholar Lecturer
History Professor Eliza Glaze has received the 2019 HTC Distinguished Teacher Scholar Lecturer award in recognition of her outstanding teaching, intensive scholarly research and concern for student learning. Glaze has been with CCU since 2003 and has served as co-director of the University Honors Program, the chair of the Department of History, and the Lawrence B. and Jane P. Clark Endowed Chair in History, a three-year appointment. She has earned major research awards from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Humanities Center, among others. Read more about Eliza's story.
Summer research program sets CCU freshman up for early success
When Olivia Shirley, a freshman at Coastal Carolina University, walked into her first collegiate course and took a seat among her peers, the young Chanticleer felt that she belonged there among the glass laboratory equipment, black laminate top science tables and other accoutrements of scientific research. While all her classmates also work toward advancing the academic and scientific research community, Shirley had a proverbial leg up before she even set foot on campus as a student. She began college in the fall of 2018 with a published research paper, presentation credits and a second-place award from the South Carolina Academy of Science under her belt. Achievements of this nature are typically only accomplished by a few junior- or senior-level undergraduate students and graduate students, not high school students or college freshmen, says CCU chemistry professor Paul Richardson. Read more about Olivia's story.
CCU alumna Nikko Austen Smith snags breakout role in “Queen Sugar” on Oprah Winfrey Network.
Smith has landed a role as Asha on OWN’s “Queen Sugar,” a series directed by Academy Award-nominated producer/director Ava DuVernay (“A Wrinkle in Time”) and cultural icon Oprah Winfrey. Already an accomplished student actress with numerous theatrical performances and a summa cum laude academic record, Smith graduated from Coastal Carolina University May 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and a mission to find her way in the world. “Queen Sugar,” now in its third season, tells the story of the Bordelon family: three siblings struggling to navigate an intricate tangle of legacies, futures, tragedies and triumphs. Adapted from Natalie Baszile’s debut novel of the same name, the series delves deep into contemporary issues facing African-American families. Season 3 is set to address matters of public schooling, athlete protests against police violence and socio-economic inequality just for starters, all handled with relentless precision and the kind of high-stakes personal drama that regularly captures millions of viewers. “This was my dream role on my dream show,” Smith says. “I had to take it.” Read more about Nikko's story.
Director of student support for the PGA Golf Management Program at CCU elected as the first woman president of the Carolinas PGA (CPGA) Section.
Paige Cribb, PGA, director of student support for the PGA Golf Management Program at Coastal Carolina University, has been elected as the first woman president of the Carolinas PGA (CPGA) Section. “This is historically significant, not only for the Carolinas PGA, but for the entire PGA of America,” according to the CPGA. “It is part of the PGA of America’s foundational plan that we will be defined by our commitment to diversity and inclusion that resonates throughout the PGA of America, its programs and practices. With Cribb in this position, this helps further our commitment and support of this important initiative for the game of golf.” Read more about Paige's story.
CCU FACTS
First female faculty member
Hired in 1954. Margaret K. Woodhouse Ph.D., taught history and English. She earned $4,500 for the 1954-1955 academic year.
First women's group
The first women’s group on campus was the Anchor Club, started in 1957.
First librarian
Catherine H. Lewis built the library collection in 1958.
First female graduates
Emmaline Burroughs Cannon and Sara Lynn Singleton. The first CCU commencement was held in May of 1959.
First female four-year graduate
Joann Wiegand.
First female Vice President
Sally Horner.
Women's Studies established
The Women's Studies (later renamed Women's and Gender Studies) minor was officially created in 2002. The first directors of the program were Nelljean Rice and Preston McKever Floyd.
First CCU Olympian
In 2008, Amber Campbell became the CCU's first Olympian, competing in the hammer throw. She has since competed in the 2012 and 2016 Games. Her highest finish was sixth in 2016.
B.A./B.S. in WGS Established
Board of Trustees approves a B.A./B.S. in Women's and Gender Studies.
CCU Women's Sports
- Women’s basketball at CCU began in 1973.
- Women’s beach volleyball was added in 2016.
- Women’s cross country has made nine appearances at the NCAA championship and has 13 Big South Conference championships.
- Women’s golf has seven Big South Conference championships.
- Women’s indoor and outdoor track and field EACH have eight Big South Conference championships.
CCU WOMEN IN THE NEWS
Bree Newsome is keynote speaker at CCU’s Ella Baker Day Celebration
Get to know Chris Donevant-Haines: A fitting piece of the CCU puzzle
Salma Oubkkou continues both Fulbright tradition and Arabic offerings at CCU
The power of she: CCU’s production of ‘Julius Caesar’ features all-female cast
WOMEN'S & GENDER STUDIES (WGS) PROGRAM
Additional Information
- What To Do With a Women's and Gender Studies Degree
- Minor in Women's and Gender Studies
- Event Schedule
- Resources
The Women's and Gender Studies (WGS) Program at Coastal Carolina University is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of gender and its intersections with other identity markers such as sexuality, race, class, nationality, and ability/ disability as economic, political, and cultural constructs. It celebrates diversity, acknowledges women’s accomplishments, conditions and contributions, and highlights the ideologies implicit in women’s places in societies both in the U.S. and internationally.