Mary Yost (September 25, 1881 – March 4, 1954) was an American academic. She was Dean of Women and Associate Professor of English at

Stanford University Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University, is a Private university, private research university in Stanford, California, United States. It was founded in 1885 by railroad magnate Leland Stanford (the eighth ...

from 1921 to 1946.

Career

Mary Yost was born in

Staunton, Virginia Staunton ( ) is an independent city (United States), independent city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 25,750. In Virginia, independent cities a ...

on September 25, 1881 and graduated from

Vassar College Vassar College ( ) is a private liberal arts college in Poughkeepsie, New York, United States. Founded in 1861 by Matthew Vassar, it was the second degree-granting institution of higher education for women in the United States. The college be ...

in 1904. After a year teaching English at

Wellesley College Wellesley College is a Private university, private Women's colleges in the United States, historically women's Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1870 by Henr ...

, she went back to Vassar to study a master's degree. In 1946, she was awarded an honorary degree by

Mills College Mills College at Northeastern University in Oakland, California is part of Northeastern University's global university system. Mills College was founded as the Young Ladies Seminary in 1852 in Benicia, California; it was relocated to Oakland in ...

. Yost began teaching 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 ...

in 1917. She moved to

four years later to take up the position of associate professor of English and Dean of Women, which she held until her retirement in 1946.

Other work

Yost was an honorary member in

Cap and Gown Academic dress is a traditional form of clothing for academic settings, mainly tertiary (and sometimes secondary) education, worn mainly by those who have obtained a university degree (or similar), or hold a status that entitles them to assum ...

, an honor society for women undergraduates founded by

Edith R. Mirrielees Professor Edith Ronald Mirrielees (September 10, 1878 - June 3, 1962) was a pioneering teacher of creative writing; she inspired many talented, distinguished students, including novelist John Steinbeck at Stanford University. Biography Edith Rona ...

. In 1922, she became vice-president of the

National Education Association The National Education Association (NEA) is the largest labor union in the United States. It represents public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college st ...

's Department of Deans of Women's Western Division. She took the position of vice-president of the

American Association of University Women The American Association of University Women (AAUW), officially founded in 1881, is a non-profit organization that advances Justice, equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. The organization has a nationwide Social net ...

's California division in 1923, progressing to vice-president of the National Board from 1933 to 1937. She was a member of the Palo Alto Business and Professional Women's Club and the National Association of Deans of Women. On retirement she was awarded an honorary LL.D from

"in recognition of her long service to women". She was also active in several student groups and organisations while at Stanford, including the women's residence program. Yost died of a heart attack on March 4, 1954, at her home on campus.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yost, Mary 1881 births 1954 deaths University of Michigan faculty Stanford University faculty Wellesley College faculty Vassar College alumni People from Staunton, Virginia 20th-century American women academics