Jessie Andrews (American academic)
Jessie Andrews | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 17, 1867 |
| Died | December 22, 1919 (aged 52) |
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Jessie Andrews (1867–1919) was the first female graduate of the University of Texas at Austin in 1886.[1][2] In 1888 she became the first female instructor at the university, teaching German and French for 30 years.[3] Andrews dormitory at UT Austin is named for her.[4] Jessie Andrews Park in Austin is also named for her.[5] The Tyler Rose Growers Association named a rose for her in 1938.[6][7] The Briscoe Center for American History Manuscripts at UT Austin houses her archive.[8]
Early life, education, and career
[edit]She was born in 1867 to mother Margaret L. Miller Andrews and father Jessie Andrews, and was one of five children.[9] Her father moved to Texas for his health in 1873, and her mother brought her and the other children in 1874. Her father died in 1875.[9] Andrews graduated from Austin High School in 1883, winning the Peabody Award for outstanding graduate. She graduated from UT Austin as a B.Litt. with a German major in 1886, and received a special award for being the first female graduate.[9] Among her congratulations was a telegram from the acting president of the University of Virginia, which was read from the podium.[10] She earned honors in mathematics, German, French and history, and became a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 1904, as soon as a chapter was established at the university.
She taught for one year at Mrs. Hood's Seminary for Young Ladies in Austin from 1886-1887, and then in 1888 joined the UT Austin faculty.[9] She traveled over 2,000 miles roundtrip for nine summers to earn her master's degree in German and French from the University of Chicago, graduating in 1906.[5][11] She was the first woman member of the UT Austin alumni association, Texas Exes.[4] She was active in the Arts League, University Women, the Y.W.C.A. She taught Sunday School in the Presbyterian Church.
In 1910 she published a book of poetry, Rough Rider Rhymes, and became the poet laureate of the Texas Women's Press Association.[11] In 1918, after three decades teaching at UT Austin, she resigned, citing disillusionment with Germany during World War I. She and her sister Fannie ran a general store together, but she became ill the following year. She contracted pneumonia in 1919, leading to her death at 52.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Seale, Avrel (2019-03-08). "Ladies' First". UT News. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ Harrigan, Stephen (2019). "Turn Texas Loose". Big Wonderful Thing: A History of Texas. University of Texas Press. p. 399.
- ^ "Timeline of Texas Women's History". Women in Texas History. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ a b Partheymuller, Peter (1 September 2001). "Written in Limestone". The Alcade. p. 34.
- ^ a b c "Mueller's Upcoming Park Names Honor Local Legends | Mueller Austin". muelleraustin.com. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "UT's Andrews Hall named for first female graduate". Dripping Springs Century News. 2022-03-17. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ Howard, Kylee. "'She will never be forgotten:' a look into three buildings, three stories of UT Women". The Daily Texan. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ H. Bailey, Carroll (1959). "Texas Collection". The Southwestern Historical Quarterly. 63 (2): 332 – via JSTOR.
- ^ a b c d Berry, Margaret C. (1952). "Andrews, Jessie (1867–1919)". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "Commencement Exercises. Millett's Packed from Pit to Dome. Conferring Degrees and Awarding Diplomas to Fortunate Students". The Austin Weekly Statesman. 24 June 1886. p. 7.
- ^ a b Winegarten, Ruthe (1984). Finder's Guide to the Texas Women: A Celebration of History Exhibit Archives. Internet Archive. Denton, Texas: Texas Womens University Press. p. 7. ISBN 978-99965-652-4-3.