Wellesley College strike of 1972

Wellesley College strike of 1972 was a significant event in the history of Wellesley College, a private women's college in Massachusetts, where students, including Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan supporters, protested against the college's administration and demanded changes in the college's policies and curriculum. The strike was influenced by the Civil Rights Movement, the Anti-War Movement, and the Women's Liberation Movement, with participation from students who were also involved in the National Organization for Women and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The strike drew attention from national media, including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Newsweek, and was supported by prominent figures such as Coretta Scott King and Shirley Chisholm. The event was also covered by NBC News and CBS News, with commentary from Walter Cronkite and John Chancellor.

● Introduction

The Wellesley College strike of 1972 was a pivotal moment in the history of the college, with students protesting against the administration's handling of issues such as affirmative action, academic freedom, and student rights. The strike was led by a coalition of student groups, including the Wellesley College Student Union and the Black Student Union, with support from faculty members such as Mary Daly and Gerda Lerner. The strike drew inspiration from other protests and movements of the time, including the Kent State shootings and the Jackson State killings, and was influenced by the ideas of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. The event was also notable for the participation of students from other colleges and universities, including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston University.

● Background

The strike was the culmination of a series of tensions and conflicts between the students and the administration of Wellesley College, which had been building for several years. The college's administration, led by President Ruth Adams, had been criticized for its handling of issues such as diversity and inclusion, academic rigor, and student life. The students, who were influenced by the New Left and the Counterculture of the 1960s, were demanding greater autonomy and self-governance, as well as more diverse and inclusive curriculum and faculty. The strike was also influenced by the Feminist Movement, with students drawing inspiration from the work of Simone de Beauvoir, Betty Friedan, and Gloria Steinem, and the Civil Rights Movement, with participation from students who were also involved in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Congress of Racial Equality.

● The Strike

The strike began on April 24, 1972, with a group of students occupying the college's administration building, Green Hall, and refusing to leave until their demands were met. The students, who were supported by faculty members and staff, presented a list of demands to the administration, including the establishment of a black studies program, the hiring of more faculty of color, and the creation of a student union. The strike drew national attention, with coverage from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Time Magazine, and was supported by prominent figures such as Stokely Carmichael and Angela Davis. The event was also notable for the participation of students from other colleges and universities, including Yale University, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Michigan.

● Aftermath

The strike ended on May 10, 1972, with the administration agreeing to meet some of the students' demands, including the establishment of a black studies program and the creation of a student union. The strike had a significant impact on the college, leading to changes in the college's policies and curriculum, as well as an increase in diversity and inclusion. The strike also had a broader impact, influencing the development of feminist theory and critical race theory, and inspiring similar protests and movements at other colleges and universities, including Columbia University, University of Chicago, and Stanford University. The event was also notable for the participation of students who went on to become prominent figures, including Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, and Nancy Pelosi.

● Legacy

The Wellesley College strike of 1972 is remembered as a significant event in the history of the college and the Women's Liberation Movement. The strike is celebrated as an example of student activism and resistance, and its legacy continues to inspire students and activists today. The strike is also remembered as a pivotal moment in the development of feminist theory and critical race theory, with the participation of students who were influenced by the work of Audre Lorde, bell hooks, and Chandra Mohanty. The event is commemorated annually at Wellesley College, with events and exhibitions that celebrate the strike's history and legacy, and is also recognized by other colleges and universities, including Harvard University, Yale University, and University of California, Berkeley. The strike's legacy continues to be felt, with its influence evident in the work of National Organization for Women, American Civil Liberties Union, and NAACP. Category:1972 protests