It is March, and for college students this month usually means midterms, spring break and warmer weather. More importantly, however, March is National Women’s History Month, a time to reflect and recognize the (often overlooked) legacy of women.

Women’s history and Drury

At Drury University, students always hear about Bob Barker, the famous alum. However, students rarely hear about the historic women of Drury’s history. For National Women’s History Month, the Mirror researched extraordinary women connected with Drury.

Virgina E. Johnson

Johnson enrolled in Drury College in 1941. Johnson did not complete her degree at Drury, but she went on to pioneer research in human sexuality. One can see her legacy in the Masters and Johnson Institute in St. Louis, Mo., where her work continues in the independent nonprofit institute she helped establish.

Edna Kenton

Kenton was born in 1876. She was a writer, critic and suffragist. She published her first book at age 27 and went on to pen several essays and short stories. Her most notable work, “The Book of Earths,” is a collection of controversial theories including a hollow earth, Atlantis and ancient maps. It is still in print today.

Jeanie Riddle

Riddle graduated from Drury College in 1976 with a bachelor’s in education. She then worked as an educator and coach in the South Callaway School District for 28 years. After retiring, Riddle pursued a career in politics. She went on to serve in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2009-2015, and is currently representing District 10 as a member of the Missouri State Senate.

Lauren Holtkamp

Holtkamp graduated from Drury in 2004 with a bacehlor’s in business administration and a master’s in communication. During her time at Drury, she played for the Lady Panthers basketball team. Holtkamp was hired as a National Basketball Association (NBA) referee in 2014, making her the third female official in NBA history.

Rose O’ Neill

Work by Rose O’Neill. Photo via Taylor Stanton.

Rose O’Neill was not a Drury graduate; however, we are confronted with her legacy everyday as the Rose O’Neill House still stands on Drury’s campus. Despite this fact, Drury students generally known little about her.

Junior Maren Gillet explained, “I never knew who Rose O’Neill was and I think a lot of Drury students probably assume she donated money or had some relation to Drury. I only ever knew the Rose O’Neill House as the art house on campus.”

Rose O’Neill has quite a legacy that deserves far more than the recognition she receives at Drury. O’Neill was born in 1874 and raised in Nebraska. At age 19, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in illustration, in which she was entirely self-trained. In 1896, she became the first female artist at “Puck Magazine.” She rose to fame from her creation of the “Kewpie” character in 1909. According to the State Historical Society of Missouri, the “Kewpie” doll was the most widely recognized cartoon character until Mickey Mouse.

In addition, she wrote novels and poetry, supported women’s suffrage, and illustrated for successful companies such as Jell-O. Her “Sweet Monsters” drawings received acclaim in Paris in 1921 and later in New York.

Before settling down with her family in the Ozarks, O’Neill was the highest-paid female commercial illustrator in the United States. In 1904, O’Neill built the still-standing house on Summit Ave., which is now a part of Drury’s campus and is known as the Rose O’Neill house. In 1944, she passed away in the house.

Sororities contribute to women’s legacy at Drury

In addition to women’s past at Drury, today there is a women’s legacy in the making on Drury’s campus. Alive and well at Drury there are four thriving sororities, founded by and for women: Zeta Tau Alpha, Pi Beta Phi, Delta Delta Delta and Kappa Delta. The idea of a sorority is for members to be surrounded by strong and empowering female influences, be it within their chapter or with their alumnae.

Junior Pi Phi Madison Hadler explained how she views sororities: “Sororities were created literally because men were creating these ‘secret societies’ and they wanted to do the same! They thought that if men could do it, then she should be allowed to, too. They have been created to build women up and challenge the idea that men get to do all these things and women aren’t allowed to.”

Sorority women at Drury all have a different experience within their organizations. However, each sorority has similar beginnings of strong women taking initiative to create a space that is entirely her own.

Zeta Tau Alpha senior Jayne Roller explains her connection with ZTA’s founders. “Zeta Tau Alpha has nine founders, all of whom were exceptionally strong women. I owe a great deal to those original nine who made it their life goal to create a sisterhood that would shape the lives of women everywhere. The nine values of my organization are principles that I will proudly continue striving to embody for the rest of my life. I think that sororities are a really strong outlet for women to empower women. They give women a platform to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others, whether it be through increased opportunity, personal growth or philanthropic efforts,” Roller said.

Sororities are a great reminder during Women’s History Month of the tremendous impact women can have on history. Each sorority has a foundation of strong and empowering women. Women who stand as role models to past, present and future members.

Hadler discussed the legacy of her sorority: “There is actually a notable Pi Phi, named Carrie Lane Chapman Catt, who was a huge help in the women’s suffrage movement! She used her Pi Phi connections to promote the woman’s suffrage movement. She worked with Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She served as the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and she helped found the League of Women Voters. Women like that are always my inspiration in Pi Phi, and our 12 founders were so feminist and empowering to women that they created a secret society for them,” Hadler detailed.

In Kappa Delta, confidence is key, and sophomore Kappa Delta Noelle Souter has plenty of confidence as a result of her involvement in Greek life.

“Being in a sorority has helped me in becoming the strong, independent woman I am today. I feel so lucky to be a part of a group of women who encourage each other to be the best version of themselves. It is because of my sisters that I feel empowered and confident and know that I can handle anything life throws my way. Here’s to women empowering other women!” stated Souter.

Celebrating women in the Springfield community

There are many ways to celebrate Women’s History Month in the Springfield community. Throughout the month of March, there are many fun events that are open to the public.

On March 1, Missouri State University’s International Services department is sponsoring an International Women’s Day exhibit at First Friday Art Walk, where international students will have displays showing women in their countries.

“It’s free and open to the public. We’ll have a variety of cultures represented by Missouri State students sharing notable cultural practices and historical events led by women. Missouri State will have other ‘Herstory’ month programs throughout the month,” explained Samantha Francka, member of MSU International Services.

Another upcoming event is the monthly Women’s Empowerment Brunch, hosted by Amby’s Events, on March 30 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Schweitzer Brentwood Library. The event offers free food and a panel of speakers.

Lewis Amby, event coordinator, was excited to share the purpose of the event.

“I have a passion for lifting other women up. I wanted to be the bridge for middle class and lower class women to come together, to create change. And this change is within themselves first, then their family, and then their community. I would hope that the attendees leave with information to grow, change and develop themselves. We are empowering them with knowledge, resources and the fact that some speakers came from nothing and have come so far, and are now able to share their journey,” she explained.

Other women’s events in the community include the Second Annual Women’s History Trivia Night at Mother’s Brewing Company on Monday, March 25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and a women’s self defense class hosted by the Springfield Martial Arts Center on March 29 at 5:30 p.m.

There are many ways to celebrate the women at Drury – past and present – and the women in the Springfield community throughout the month of March.

Written by Delilah Gadd and Ciera Duban.