Celebrating Women’s History Month: UNC’s Trailblazing Women and Essential Learning Resources

In 1963, Karen Parker made history as the first Black undergraduate woman at the University of North Carolina (UNC). While studying journalism, she captured her experiences in a diary, which included her participation in civil rights demonstrations that led to her arrest. Her diary, donated to the Southern Historical Collection in 2006, was digitized in 2021. You can explore her story through the online collection, Mapping Karen Parker’s Journal.

Anne Queen

Anne Queen, who served as the director of the YWCA-YMCA from 1956 to 1975, has left a significant legacy at UNC, now commemorated by the Anne Queen Lounge in the Campus Y building. Sarah Smith, the assistant director of the Campus Y, recently delved into Queen’s impact as part of a historical project, creating zines that illustrate the campus’s history. Smith noted, “I have a new level of admiration for her accomplishments and advocacy for students.”

The Southern Oral History Program has preserved a 1976 interview with Queen, shedding light on her life during pivotal moments like racial integration and the Vietnam War. Listening to her firsthand accounts provides insight into the challenges and triumphs faced during those turbulent times.

Karen Stevenson

Another trailblazer, Karen Stevenson, became the first Black Morehead-Cain recipient in 1975 and made history again in 1979 as the first woman from UNC and the first Black woman in the nation to gain a Rhodes Scholarship. After earning her law degree at Stanford, she was appointed as a federal magistrate judge in 2015. Her accomplishments are significant, particularly her recent rise to chief magistrate judge in 2023 in California. Stevenson has also shared her expertise in legal topics through articles available via the UNC Library system.

Sallie Walker Stockard

In 1898, Sallie Walker Stockard became UNC’s first female graduate. Stockard was not just an alumna; she became a historian, writing important works about North Carolina. Her first book, based on her master’s thesis, focused on Alamance County, followed by another on Guilford County. Both studies serve as valuable resources for understanding local history and are available through the UNC Libraries.

These women paved the way for future generations, each leaving a lasting mark on history and education. They remind us of the importance of representation and advocacy in shaping our communities and institutions. By understanding their challenges and contributions, we appreciate the legacies that continue to influence and inspire today’s students.

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