by Linda C. Reynolds

In 1866, Ellen Wheeler was the first woman professor at Berea to instruct black students. In 1873, Lucretia Smith was the first woman graduate, and in 1888, Fannie Belle Miller became the first black woman graduate.

In 1903, Berea librarian Euphemia Kipp Corwin was the first professional librarian in Kentucky, and in 1969 Wilma Dykeman became the College’s first woman trustee.

Women have played a key role in Berea’s history, and today, more than 140 years later, Berea women still achieve firsts, as Tammy Clemons, ’99, became the first graduate in women’s studies.

What makes Clemon’s accomplishment even more unique is that Berea only offers a minor in women’s studies. But Clemons, with the help of Dr. Peggy Rivage-Seul, women’s studies coordinator, put together the necessary course work to earn a major.

Tammy Clemons

By the summer of ’96, Clemons had dropped out of Berea twice and was part of a women’s group near Monticello, Ky., following a "sustainable, experimental lifestyle," that coincided with her own sustainable environmental interests. "I had come to realize that I had holes in my education," she said. "I found reading feminist and women’s studies material was filling in those holes and that’s when I got the idea for an independent major."

Prior to joining the women’s group she had taken Dr. Rivage-Seul’s short term class, the Fifth

Sacred Thing, and developed a bond with her.

"I wasn’t even officially enrolled, but I contacted Dr. Rivage-Seul about my idea," said Clemons. "She spent an inordinate amount of time advising me about curriculum choices."

Clemons said she had to submit a "plan of study" to an approval committee before the degree could be offered.

"In the spring of 1997, we designed a course of study, submitted the plan to the committee and they said it was satisfactory and granted me an independent major," said Clemons.

In addition to Dr. Rivage-Seul, Clemons said Appalachian Center Director Gordon McKinney, and Dr. Maria Lichtmann also helped.

"He was amazing," said Clemons of McKinney. "My independent major hinged on taking his course, ‘Women in Appalachia’ as an independent study, and I had to get everything tied up quickly. Within 24 hours, he had the bibliography I needed in my hands."

Clemons said Lichtmann not only helped her as a student, but assisted her in getting to the "next level," by writing her reference to graduate school.

"Through conversations with Dr. Lichtmann regarding my Women in Religion class, my own personal interest in religion was intensified," said Clemons. "For years I explored spirituality issues, and to me, women’s issues and religion are very interrelated."

As a result, Clemons entered Harvard’s graduate theology program this fall.

"I’ve grown immensely from my experiences and the more I learn, the more I want to share what I have discovered through women’s studies," she said. "I have found that you have worth, potential and the right to pursue your dreams and be what you want to be."