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!
Images and videos captured prior to COVID-19 unless otherwise noted.
Stephanie Southworth
Amanda Masterpaul
Club Sports: Women's Rugby
CCU Women
A few of our stories:
Carolyn Dillian, Ph.D.
Five Minutes with Carolyn Dillian
Carolyn Dillian joined CCU nearly a decade ago, beginning as an assistant professor of anthropology in 2010. In 2016, Dillian and her colleagues established the Department of Anthropology and Geography, with a new major in the same subject.
Monica Gray
CCU hosts inaugural Engineering Week
“EWeek at CCU is an opportunity to update the community on the development of our engineering program, introduce students to high-impact networking opportunities, and provide one-on-one academic advising,” said Monica Gray, Ph.D., director of CCU’s Engineering Science program.
Amy Hall
CCU alumna establishes program fund in the Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts
CCU alumna Amy Hall, owner of The Barber Shop Marketing agency in Dallas, Texas, has established the Amy Hall Student and Alumni Program Fund in Visual Arts in the University’s Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Her recent donation to the Edwards College will create a networking series that promotes interaction between CCU alumni and students within the Department of Visual Arts.
Michelle Russo
Director of production at Nickelodeon and CCU alumna inspires students
Determination is a thread that weaves itself through each chapter of Michelle Russo’s (’08) life. It’s not just one goal that motivates Russo, but overlapping objectives that drive her actions and her plans.
Events:
Poster display on Prince Lawn all month long.
March 8th, 7 p.m.
International Women’s Day Celebration sponsored by CAB
Check Coastal Connections for more information and pick up of a FREE dessert box
March 12th and 13th, 6 p.m. and 9p.m.
Student Union Movie Nights (email wgsprogram@coastal.edu for free tickets!):
Wonder Woman 84 and Captain Marvel
March 18th, 6 p.m.
Triota Honor Society Presents: Young Feminist Leaders to Watch Out For
Join us to hear about young people making a difference for positive social change at Coastal and in the world.
March 24th, 7 p.m.
Women's History Month Trivia Night: Come out to win CINO cards, Coastal swag, and more.
March 17th - 21st
What Were You Wearing?
Exhibit: Take a look at a powerful exhibit educating viewers about sexual violence (LJSU Rotunda)
March 31st, 3 - 5 p.m.
Start Smart Salary Negotiation Workshop:
Participate in this interactive virtual workshop to learn about the gender wage gap and practice your salary negotiation skills.
CCU Women: Facts & Timeline
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.
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.