June Rose Colby
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June Rose Colby (June 4, 1856May 11, 1941) was an American professor of literature. She was the first female faculty member and third woman hired as an instructor at
Illinois State Normal University Illinois State University (ISU) is a public research university in Normal, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1857 as Illinois State Normal University and is the oldest public university in Illinois. The university emphasizes teaching ...
, and was a supporter of the
Suffragist Suffrage, political franchise, or simply franchise is the right to vote in public, political elections and referendums (although the term is sometimes used for any right to vote). In some languages, and occasionally in English, the right to vo ...
movement.


Early life and education

She was born on June 4, 1856, in Cherry Valley, Ohio, second daughter and the fourth of five children of Lewis Colby and his wife Celestia Rice. Her father was a dairy farmer, while her mother found an outlet for her literary interests by writing essays. In 1866 the family moved to
Freeport, Illinois Freeport is the largest city in Stephenson County, Illinois, United States, and its county seat. The population was 23,973 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, and the mayor of Freeport is Jodi Miller, elected in 2017. Freeport is k ...
, where her father earned income as a lightning rod salesman. June had been home schooled up to this point, but now attended public school. The family moved again in 1870 to
Ann Arbor, Michigan Ann Arbor is a city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. The 2020 United States census, 2020 census recorded its population to be 123,851, making it the List of municipalities in Michigan, fifth-most populous cit ...
so that June's sister
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could study at the
University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...
. After June graduated from Ann Arbor High School, she matriculated to the
University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...
. Four years later she graduated with an A.B. degree, then taught in high school from 1878 until 1883. Initially she taught algebra at Ann Arbor High School, then became preceptress and taught Greek and Latin at the high school in
Flint, Michigan Flint is the largest city in Genesee County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. Located along the Flint River (Michigan), Flint River northwest of Detroit, it is a principal city within the Central Michigan, Mid Michigan region. Flin ...
. While employed there, she founded a literary society for female students to investigate women’s issues. She left for further education at the Harvard Annex, now called
Radcliffe College Radcliffe College was a Women's colleges in the United States, women's Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that was founded in 1879. In 1999, it was fully incorporated into Harvard Colle ...
, then transferred back to the
University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...
where she received an A.M. degree. In 1886, she became the first woman at the
University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...
to receive a Ph.D. by examination. Her thesis was titled ''Some Ethical Aspects of Later Elizabethan Tragedy, Preceded by an Examination of Aristotle's Theory of Tragedy''.


Career

For six years after graduating she was unable to receive a professorship and was instead employed as a teacher in high schools in Peoria. Finally, in 1892 she was hired by the
Illinois State Normal University Illinois State University (ISU) is a public research university in Normal, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1857 as Illinois State Normal University and is the oldest public university in Illinois. The university emphasizes teaching ...
as a professor of literature. Dr. Colby became the third female professor to be hired at the university. During her career, she served as Dean of Women and became a sponsor of the university's Sapphonian Society. She had several works published and was an editor on a study of ''
Silas Marner ''Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe'' is the third novel by English author George Eliot, pen name of Mary Ann Evans. It was published on 2 April 1861. An outwardly simple tale of a linen weaver, the novel is notable for its strong realism a ...
'' by
George Eliot Mary Ann Evans (22 November 1819 – 22 December 1880; alternatively Mary Anne or Marian), known by her pen name George Eliot, was an English novelist, poet, journalist, translator, and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. She wrot ...
. As an outspoken
feminist Feminism is a range of socio-political movements and ideology, ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social gender equality, equality of the sexes. Feminism holds the position that modern soci ...
, she supported the
Suffragist Suffrage, political franchise, or simply franchise is the right to vote in public, political elections and referendums (although the term is sometimes used for any right to vote). In some languages, and occasionally in English, the right to vo ...
movement and was a member of the Normal Equal Suffrage Association, organized in 1911. Given her participation with the Suffragist movement, she was in contact with several famous Suffragist leaders, such as
Jane Addams Laura Jane Addams (September 6, 1860May 21, 1935) was an American Settlement movement, settlement activist, Social reform, reformer, social worker, sociologist, public administrator, philosopher, and author. She was a leader in the history of s ...
,
Carrie Chapman Catt Carrie Chapman Catt (born Carrie Clinton Lane; January 9, 1859#Fowler, Fowler, p. 3 – March 9, 1947) was an American women's suffrage leader who campaigned for the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave U.S. women t ...
, and
Mary A. Livermore Mary Ashton Livermore ( Rice; December 19, 1820May 23, 1905) was an American journalist, Abolitionism in the United States, abolitionist, and advocate of women's rights. Her printed volumes included: ''Thirty Years Too Late,'' first published ...
. There are also multiple recorded letters between herself and
Julia Ward Howe Julia Ward Howe ( ; May 27, 1819 – October 17, 1910) was an American author and poet, known for writing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" as new lyrics to an existing song, and the original 1870 pacifist Mothers' Day Proclamation. She w ...
.


Sapphonian Society

Colby used this group as a way to introduce female ISNU students to women’s issues. One of the goals of the Sapphonian Society was to combat the spreading idea of the “feminization of education,” which asserted that the reason why young men strayed away from education was due to the concentration of women and their influence within schools, or that being the reason for their becoming "effeminized.” Colby manipulated the increasingly masculine academic environment through the society in her use of “discreet rhetoric,” as opposed to overt resistance to the idea. Rather than openly claiming her
pedagogy Pedagogy (), most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, is the theory and practice of learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political, and psychological development of learners. Pedagogy, taken ...
as
feminist Feminism is a range of socio-political movements and ideology, ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social gender equality, equality of the sexes. Feminism holds the position that modern soci ...
in nature, she designed it in a way that let the audience come to such conclusions themselves. This club originated from its parting from the all-male debate society called Cicero. However, the Sapphonians wanted to go beyond simply being an all-female counterpart, but rather an entity with complete separation and autonomy from the male debate team. These women then went even further to establish their own mode of conversation, as opposed to Cicero’s strict debate format, to instead focus on literature and discussion. Colby had great influence on these changes. The Sapphonians sought to better their community and did not limit their learning to the classroom. One member noted that "the Sapphonian Society not only assures the members of many interesting and instructive programs but also affords them, thru its committee formation, an instruction of a somewhat different character from that which can be obtained in required school work.” Despite the relatively private nature of the club, the members were still able to contribute to society and gain practical writing experience that the traditional university courses did not permit them. It was Colby’s desire to grant these women such experiences and empower them through academia. She rejected the notion that women who succeeded in college would not contribute to society post-graduation. Colby strongly promoted “silent”
activism Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make Social change, changes in society toward a perceived common good. Forms of activism range from ...
, which was largely epitomized through her contributions to the society. She felt it was more effective to advocate for change in this way to appeal to those who were otherwise against the
Suffragist Suffrage, political franchise, or simply franchise is the right to vote in public, political elections and referendums (although the term is sometimes used for any right to vote). In some languages, and occasionally in English, the right to vo ...
movement, or other feminist advancements. She did not want to garner “unwanted attention” to the Sapphonian Society, as a way to protect its members. Shortly after 1897, though, the group did turn its focus to addressing issues within their own campus. At this time, ISNU’s president was David Felmley, who repeatedly contended that women were less intelligent than men and promoted the masculinization of education, thus emphasizing the Sapphonian’s on-campus obstacles. One effort to combat these increasingly popular ideas was the society’s invite extension to all women, students and faculty alike, to attend their meetings. This was proven successful given the membership increase, as the club went from 23 members in 1905 to 42 in 1906. Pushing even further, Colby urged the members to contact women from other colleges throughout the country. A College Committee dedicated to women’s issues was henceforth established. Despite Colby’s silent activism approach, she came to write “Some Often Forgotten Aspects of the Relation of Women to the Industrial World” for ISNU’s newspaper, ''
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'', which was likely purposed as rebuttal to the ideas put forth by Felmley. The Sapphonian Society ultimately lasted from 1887-1912; Colby was its mentor from 1892-1908.


Retirement and death

When she retired in July, 1931, she was named Emeritus Professor of Literature. The now demolished Colby Hall at
Illinois State Normal University Illinois State University (ISU) is a public research university in Normal, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1857 as Illinois State Normal University and is the oldest public university in Illinois. The university emphasizes teaching ...
was later named after her. Colby died on May 11, 1941, in
Normal, Illinois Normal is a town in McLean County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the town's population was 52,736. Normal is the smaller of two principal cities of the Bloomington–Normal metropolitan area, and is I ...
.


Bibliography

* ''Some Ethical Aspects of Later Elizabethan Tragedy'' (1886) * ''Literature in the Elementary School'' (1903) * ''Shakespeare in the High School'' (1903) * ''Literature and Life in School'' (1906)


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Colby, June Rose 1856 births 1941 deaths American feminists University of Michigan alumni Illinois State University faculty People from Ashtabula County, Ohio Academics from Ann Arbor, Michigan Pioneer High School (Ann Arbor, Michigan) alumni