SC Connecticut News

American Studies major Molly Smith ’25 has created a banner exhibit in Sterling Memorial Library honoring Elga Ruth Wasserman, JD ’76, a champion of the first classes of women enrolled in Yale College in the 1960s and ‘70s. The exhibit sheds light on Wasserman’s life and legacy, aiming to educate Yale students about her significant impact on the university.

According to Smith, Wasserman was not only an advocate for coeducation at Yale but also a chemist, attorney, feminist, and scholar. Smith's interest in Wasserman was sparked by conversations with Sam Chauncey, BA ’57, who worked alongside Wasserman in advocating for equity and diversity. Smith conducted interviews with Chauncey, which fueled her fascination with Yale's history and led to the creation of the exhibit.

Smith's exhibit highlights the lasting effects of Wasserman's work, such as initiating the Yale shuttle for women walking home late at night, advocating for more women professors, and pushing to end the quota on the admission of women to the university. Smith expressed her gratitude for Wasserman's contributions, stating, “As a woman at Yale today, I am so thankful for her impact on this university. ‘Elga Wasserman’ should be a name every Yale student knows.”

The banner exhibit, located in Sterling Memorial Library, showcases the importance of recognizing Wasserman's efforts in shaping the university's landscape. Through her project, Smith hopes to raise awareness among Yale students about Wasserman's significant role in championing women's rights at Yale College.

The exhibit serves as a tribute to Wasserman's pioneering spirit and dedication to promoting gender equality and diversity at Yale, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to impact the university community today.