The University of Iowa has a long tradition of fostering educational opportunities for women, including becoming the first public university in the country to admit men and women on an equal basis beginning in 1855.
Iowa also was the first public U.S. university to grant a law degree to a woman when Mary Beth Hickey graduated from the College of Law in 1873. Iowa is also home to the nation's first female college newspaper editor in 1907, Mildred Whitcomb.
Several campus programs continue to strengthen the University's commitment to gender equity.
Support Networks
Areas of Study
Iowa offers more than 200 Areas of Study for undergraduates, including a program that focuses on gender, women's, and sexuality studies.
Education & Advocacy
- State of Iowa, Office on the Status of Women
- Office of Civil Rights Compliance (OCRC)
- UI Center for Human Rights
- Council on the Status of Women
- Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP)
Financial Aid and Scholarships
To supplement the cost of attending the University, start your scholarship search with the UI Office of Student Financial Aid and adding the University of Iowa to your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additional resources include:
- UI Scholarships—Iowa offers more than 1,500 scholarships based on academic merit and/or financial need.
- Types of Student Financial Aid
- How to Apply for Financial Aid at Iowa
Community Resources
- Emma Goldman Clinic—This community-based women's health clinic was founded in 1973.
- Iowa Women's Foundation—This community organization serves to raise money to educate and empower all women throughout Iowa.
- League of Women Voters of Johnson County—This active local organization, which welcomes members of both sexes, researches public policy issues to educate citizens and decision-makers.