Women and Science

Rutgers University was founded in 1766 to educate men who would then serve in the Dutch Reformed Church. Women gained access as students only in 1918 with the founding of the New Jersey College for Women (NJC), now Douglass Residential College. This portion of the guide highlights the histories of women and science at Rutgers, with focus on NJC/Douglass, as well as the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and its extension services (now Cooperative Extension Services), both integral components of the university.

Unless otherwise noted, all images are from Rutgers, Special Collections and University Archives.

Since the early days, education in STEM at Douglass was always encouraged. Among the 234 graduates in 1931, 50, or 21 percent, received the bachelor of science degree with majors in botany, chemistry, mathematics, physics and zoology. In 1999, the Douglass Project for Rutgers Women in Math, Science and Engineering  received the prestigious Presidential Award of Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. Today, this project continues to guide all Rutgers women in STEM fields.