Virginia Memory, Library of Virginia
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THIS DAY IN VIRGINIA HISTORY

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November 25, 1895

Petition from Women Seeking Admission to the University of Virginia, 25 November 1895, Virginia, Governor (1894–1898: O'Ferrall), Executive Papers of Governor Charles T. O'Ferrall, 1894–1897, Accession 43210, State Government Records Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. Petition from Women Seeking Admission to the University of Virginia, 25 November 1895, Virginia, Governor (1894–1898: O'Ferrall), Executive Papers of Governor Charles T. O'Ferrall, 1894–1897, Accession 43210, State Government Records Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. Petition from Women Seeking Admission to the University of Virginia, 25 November 1895, Virginia, Governor (1894–1898: O'Ferrall), Executive Papers of Governor Charles T. O'Ferrall, 1894–1897, Accession 43210, State Government Records Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. Petition from Women Seeking Admission to the University of Virginia, 25 November 1895, Virginia, Governor (1894–1898: O'Ferrall), Executive Papers of Governor Charles T. O'Ferrall, 1894–1897, Accession 43210, State Government Records Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Women Educators Petitioned the Governor

At the end of the nineteenth century, women in Virginia had far fewer and generally inferior educational opportunities than men. This group of women educators believed that one way to increase the quality of education for women would be to allow them to attend the University of Virginia. An official in the governor's office responded that Governor Charles Triplett O'Ferrall (1840–1905) did not agree with the petitioners, but promised to give the matter consideration. The University of Virginia did not become fully coeducational until 1970.