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| Frances Jewell |
Since women began teaching at the University of Kentucky in the early 20th century, they have pushed for equal pay. Many will suggest, even though there have been great strides over the past twelve decades, that full equality has yet to be achieved.
For example, in 1917 Frances Jewell, an instructor in English, received half the pay of comparable male faculty in her department. This was in spite of her having earned an undergraduate degree from Vassar College and a graduate degree in English from Columbia University.
In 1917, Professor Lehre L. Dantzler, head of the English Department, requested a salary increase for Jewell. Regarding Jewell's $600 salary, Dantzler noted her excellent work and recommended a $250 increase, still $250 less than her male colleague, E. U. Bradley, also an instructor in the department who earned $1,100. In Journalism, Marguerite McLaughlin received only $750 for her work as an instructor. Sarah Marshall Chorn, instructor in Modern Languages, earned $900 while Mabel Hardy Pollitt, instructor in Ancient Languages, earned $800.
Four years later Jewell relinquished her teaching position to marry Frank McVey, president of the university. In her new position she worked tirelessly for the University of Kentucky for the next 25 years, for free.
Additional information about the history of women students, faculty, and staff can be found in the recently published, Our Rightful Place: A History of Women at the University of Kentucky, 1880-1945.
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