Jessie Andrews (American academic)
Jessie Andrews | |
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| Born | February 17, 1867 |
| Died | December 22, 1919 (aged 52) |
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Jessie Andrews (1867–1919) was the first female graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.[1] In 1888 she became the first female instructor at the university, teaching German and French for 30 years.[2] Andrews dormitory at UT Austin is named for her.[3] Jessie Andrews Park in Austin is also named for her.[4] The Tyler Rose Growers Association named a rose for her in 1938.[5][6] The Briscoe Center for American History Manuscripts at UT Austin houses her archive.
Early life, education, and career
[edit]She was born in 1867 to mother Margaret L. Miller Andrews and father Jessie Andrews, and was one of five children.[7] Her father moved to Texas for his health in 1873, and her mother brought her and the other children in 1874. Her father died in 1875.[7] Andrews graduated from Austin High School in 1883, winning the Peabody Award for outstanding graduate. She graduated from UT Austin as a B.Litt. with a German major in 1886, and received a special award for being the first female graduate.[7] She earned honors in mathematics, German, French and history, and became a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 1904, as soon as a chapter was established at the university.
She taught for one year at Mrs. Hood's Seminary for Young Ladies in Austin, and then in 1888 joined the UT Austin faculty.[7] She traveled over 2,000 miles roundtrip for nine summers to earn her master's degree in German and French from the University of Chicago, graduating in 1906.[4][8] She was the first woman member of the UT Austin alumni association, Texas Exes.[3] She was active in the Arts League, University Women, the Y.W.C.A. She taught Sunday School in the Presbyterian Church.
In 1910 she published a book of poetry, Rough Rider Rhymes, and became the poet laureate of the Texas Women's Press Association.[8] In 1918, after three decades teaching at UT Austin, she resigned, citing disillusionment with Germany during World War I. She and her sister Fannie ran a general store together, but she became ill the following year. She contracted pneumonia in 1919, leading to her death at 52.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Seale, Avrel (2019-03-08). "Ladies' First". UT News. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "Timeline of Texas Women's History". Women in Texas History. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ a b Partheymuller, Peter (1 September 2001). "Written in Limestone". The Alcade. p. 34.
- ^ a b c "Mueller's Upcoming Park Names Honor Local Legends | Mueller Austin". muelleraustin.com. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ "UT's Andrews Hall named for first female graduate". Dripping Springs Century News. 2022-03-17. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ Howard, Kylee. "'She will never be forgotten:' a look into three buildings, three stories of UT Women". The Daily Texan. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ a b c d Berry, Margaret C. (1952). "Andrews, Jessie (1867–1919)". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ a b Winegarten, Ruthe (1984). Finder's Guide to the Texas Women: A Celebration of History Exhibit Archives. Internet Archive. Denton, Texas: Texas Womens University Press. p. 7. ISBN 978-99965-652-4-3.