An Important Centennial
Un important centenaire

L'année 1984-1985 marquera un important centennaire dans l'histoire de l'université de Toronto. En effet, c'est le 1^er octobre 1884 que pour la première fois des femmes ont été admises à suivre des cours dans ce vénérable établissement d'enseignement supérieur. Pour commémorer cette date, WIT (Women In Toronto) a organisé divers événements, dont une exposition des oeuvres des diplômées de l'école d'architecture, un colloque sur les auteures de romans policiers, une série de pièces de théâtre écrites par des femmes ou parlant de la condition féminine, etc.

L'un des projets entrepris à l'occasion de ce centennaire est une étude historique retraçant la lutte menée par les femmes pour entrer à l'université de Toronto. Parmi ceux qui se sont vigoureusement opposés à ouvrir l'enseignement supérieur aux femmes, il y avait Daniel Wilson, célèbre anthropologue et grand érudit, président de l'université de Toronto de 1881 à1892!

Elizabeth Wilson est coordinatrice de "Women in Toronto". Elle occupe les fonctions d'agent exécutif au bureau des Affaires estudiantines à la faculté de lettres et de sciences, à l'université de Toronto.

by Elizabeth Wilson

The academic year 1984 -1985 marks the hundredth anniversary of the admission of women to the University of Toronto as well as at least one of its sister institutions, McGill University in Montreal. In recognition of this historic event, a year of celebrations is planned, involving all constituencies of the University community. The name given to these celebrations is Women in Toronto or WIT.

History Project

Some information about the history of women at the University may help to set the stage for a description of activities planned for the coming year. Research into the history of women at this University, about which little was known, was an important priority for Centenary organizers. A generous grant from President David Strangway provided funding to hire a part-time researcher to undertake this daunting task. Anne Rochon Ford, who was engaged in this capacity, has spent most of the last year researching this history in College and University archives, as well as through personal reminiscences provided by generous individuals in response to her appeal for information. Many of these same individuals have donated or loaned memorabilia - photographs, letters, awards of various kinds, and even a gown worn for graduation. These will be featured in a major Centenary display on campus in March and April of 1985.

Today, the arguments used against women one hundred years ago appear ridiculous. Yet the women of that time had to educate not only an unwilling public of their need for university training, but foes within the University as well. Prominent among opponents on campus was Daniel Wilson, a renowned anthropologist and scholar, and President of the University of Toronto from 1881 to 1892.