This month in history (146 years ago)
The first seven students attending U-M in fall 1841 were male. Female admission was first broached in September 1850. The regents concluded it was “inexpedient” to have ladies in the Medical Department. In March 1858, Sarah E. Burger informed the regents that she and 12 other girls would apply for admission to the university in June. A committee consulted national educational leaders. Generally, replies were not in favor. While the regents voted to reject Burger’s petition, in September 1858 they received 1,476 requests to admit women to U-M. Finally on Feb. 5, 1870, Madelon Stockwell became the first woman officially enrolled at the Ann Arbor campus.
— From the Hathi Trust Digital Library
