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 for 35 years.[3] A dormitory at UT Austin, a public park, and a rose, have all been named for her (see Death and Legacy).
Jessie Andrews | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 17, 1867 |
| Died | December 22, 1919 (aged 52) |
| Occupation |
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Early life, education, and career
editShe was born in 1867 to mother Margaret L. Miller Andrews and father Jesse Andrews, and was one of five children.[4] 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, when she was eight.[4] 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.[4] Among her congratulations was a telegram from the acting president of the University of Virginia, which was read from the podium.[5] 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.[4] She traveled over 2,200 miles roundtrip by train during each of nine summers to earn her master's degree in German and French from the University of Chicago, graduating in 1906.[6][7]
She became the first woman member of the UT Austin alumni association, Texas Exes.[8] She was active in the Arts League, the Y.W.C.A., and a group of university women that later became the Austin branch of the American Association of University Women. She taught Sunday School in a local Presbyterian Church.
Poetry and post-academic life
editShe was a poet who once published a poem in The New York Times.[9][10] In 1910 she published a book of poetry, Rough Rider Rhymes, and became the poet laureate of the Texas Women's Press Association.[7][11] She also published a poem in honor of the first edition of Alcalde, the UT Austin alumni yearbook.[12]
In 1918, after 35 years of teaching at UT Austin, she resigned, citing disillusionment with Germany during World War I. She and her younger sister Fannie (c. 1869-1960) ran Ye Qualitye Shoppe in Austin together.[9] Andrews Elementary School in Austin is named for Fanny.[13] They were both listed as landscape painters.[14]
Death and cultural legacy
editShe contracted pneumonia in 1919, just one year after her retirement from the university, and died at age 52.[6] To commemorate her life, the Alcalde dedicated its May 1920 issue to her.[15] The Briscoe Center for American History Manuscripts at UT Austin houses her archive.[16] Andrews dormitory at UT Austin is named for her.[8] Jessie Andrews Park in Austin is also named for her.[6] The Tyler Rose Growers Association named a rose for her in 1938.[17][18]
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 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 c "Mueller's Upcoming Park Names Honor Local Legends | Mueller Austin". muelleraustin.com. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Partheymuller, Peter (1 September 2001). "Written in Limestone". The Alcade. p. 34.
- ^ a b Webb, Walter Prescott; Carroll, H. Bailey, eds. (1952). The Handbook of Texas, Volume I. Austin, Texas: The Texas State Historical Association. p. 47.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Andrews, Jessie, "Autumn Gleanings," The New York Times (1857-1922); Nov 3, 1912; ProQuest Historical Newspapers, page SM3
- ^ Andrews, Jessie (1910). Rough Rider Rhymes (1 ed.). Chautauqua, New York: Chautauqua Print Shop.
- ^ Nicar, Jim (2024-01-11). "Birth of the Alcalde Magazine". The UT History Corner. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "About Fanny M. Andrews | Andrews Elementary School". andrews.austinschools.org. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ Davis, Nicole; Bennight, Michelle. "Art Resources Guide: Sources of Information related to Art, Artists, Museums, and Galleries in the Collections of the Austin History Center" (PDF). Austin History Center, Austin Public Library. p. 37.
- ^ "Feature Issue of Alcalde to Appear with Special Cover". Austin Daily Texan. 7 May 1920. p. 1.
- ^ H. Bailey, Carroll (1959). "Texas Collection". The Southwestern Historical Quarterly. 63 (2): 332 – via JSTOR.
- ^ "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.