WSWU engages women in the life of the university through education, scholarships, student projects, and leadership. We carry out our mission through support of university programs, full-tuition scholarships, and lectures.
To forward its mission, the Women’s Society initiated several small businesses in 1966 to serve students, faculty, and staff. The Bear Necessities shop, located in Umrath House on the South 40, provides a valuable service to students while also supplying a large portion of the proceeds used to support scholarships and sponsor student projects.
Connections with the University
The WSWU also supports the Women’s Society Lecture Series, which showcases distinguished Washington University faculty; the annual Adele Chomeau Starbird Lecture, which features an accomplished woman of national prominence; and the Harriet K. Switzer Leadership Award, which recognizes graduating senior women. We also continue to support WashU students and programs through funding for many campus projects. In 2021-22, the WSWU granted $18,500 to university projects.
Milestones in Washington University Women’s Society History
| Founded in 1965 | |
| 1966 | Opened Bear Necessities Shop, providing funds for scholarships and student projects |
| 1976 | Established the Women’s Society Scholarship, an annual two-year full-tuition scholarship, awarded to outstanding St. Louis Community College students (now known as the Elizabeth Gray Danforth Scholarship) |
| 1986 | Initiated the “Town & Gown” Lecture Series for WSWU members, featuring Washington University’s talented faculty (now known as the Women’s Society Lecture Series) |
| 1988 | Established the Adele Starbird Lecture, featuring a nationally renowned speaker each year in honor of Adele Chomeau Starbird, Washington University’s dean of women from 1931-1959 |
| 1998 | Initiated the Women’s Society Leadership Award for outstanding senior women (now known as the Harriet K. Switzer Leadership Award) |
| 2004 | Launched the annual “Composing a Life” panel event for women students |
| 2007 | Awarded two full-time Elizabeth Gray Danforth Scholarships |
| 2009 | Moved Bear Necessities to its new home in Umrath House |
| 2015 | Commemorated the founding of the society (in March 1965) by holding three 50th anniversary celebratory events for members and their guests while raising dollars for the scholarship endowment and adding over 120 new members to the organization |