President of Smith College Jill Ker Conway

smith college campus

in 1975, ker conway became first female president of smith college, largest women s college in united states. located in northampton, massachusetts, smith, private liberal arts college, women s college in u.s. grant own degrees in engineering.

one of ker conway s notable accomplishments program initiated students on welfare. @ time, many students welfare mothers not pursuing higher education, accepting scholarship cause them lose welfare benefits. students forced choose between supporting children or furthering education. not giving them scholarships paying rent instead, ker conway circumvented state s system. gave students access account @ local stores, access physicians , on. abc s morning america profiled graduates of program, giving national exposure. state of massachusetts, convinced importance of program, changed welfare system scholarship students wouldn t lose benefits.

ker conway created ada comstock scholars program. program allows non-traditional students, many work , family obligations, study full or part-time, depending on family , work schedules. these women can take classes bachelor s degree @ smith s @ slower pace on longer period.

in 1975, jill ker conway named time woman of year.