For the first time in a decade, Andover held an all-women’s college panel led by faculty alums. This event was organized by Aya Murata, Assistant Dean of Students and Associate Director of College Counseling, with the purpose of stimulating discussion between students and alumni of all-women’s colleges regarding their experiences in higher education.
Reflecting on her college decision, Anny Candelario, Instructor in Mathematics, mentioned that she did not initially consider the gender-specific nature of Wellesley College as a deciding factor. Over time, she came to see the institution’s single-gender environment as central to its strengths. She highlighted that she only fully appreciated the experience after graduating.
“I did not look at the gender piece when making that decision. I looked at everything that it provided, and throughout the years there, I knew why this was the experience that Wellesley provides. It being single gender is part of what makes all of the other things it offers be really, be really good. It took me until post-graduation to be a fan. I met amazing advisors, amazing teachers. Everyone, we still keep in touch. It was not until after that I appreciated my experience, but I have developed a sincere appreciation to be continued as to why,” said Candelario.
Kaya Mangani ’27 chose to attend the event because she had not previously considered women’s colleges in her search process and sought to broaden her perspective. She emphasized that she did not want to overlook an institution because it was single gender.
“I decided to go because I hadn’t really considered women’s colleges before, but it was interesting to diversify my range of colleges that I was looking at because I didn’t want to restrict myself to a certain place, or I didn’t want to miss out on a good school just because it was a women’s college, per se. In looking at schools, it’s kind of important to see it holistically, so, yes, it’s a women’s college, but also what other great programs do they offer? So just brightening my horizons of colleges,” said Mangani.
Dr. Christine Marshall, Instructor in Biology and graduate of Smith College, mentioned she was drawn to the school’s strong culture of mentorship and its focus on supporting women.
“Smith felt very compelling because it was a school that was set up for people of my gender, and the professors I met were just very dedicated to their students. The message that I got over and over was that you can do whatever you want to do, and we are here to help you do that, and that is our purpose. We’ve chosen to be at this school because it’s a patriarchal society and there are different obstacles that young women have to consider as they step into adulthood and into the workplace, and we are really skilled at mentoring you. [I wanted to] make college just about me and my own personal development and make that deliberate choice for myself. The experience with the school was so powerful in a lot of ways,” said Marshall.
Karen Douyon, Instructor in Theatre and Dance, graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia after initially getting accepted early action into her then dream school, Princeton. However, after getting into Spelman during her PG year, Douyon knew it was right for her before she even stepped on campus.
“My dad was driving the car onto Spelman’s campus and I’m in the backseat looking out the window and there were all these girls that looked like me on the sidewalk with signs cheering, like how the Blue Keys welcome students back to campus. They had this chant that they were saying over and over ‘Oh, don’t you wish you were a Spelmanite like me?’ and that was the chant we would sing all throughout our four years with such pride. In the car, I started to tear up with joy, and in that moment, I knew that this is where I was meant to be. I’m looking back at it as an adult, and I am realizing that this was the first decision I ever made for myself. For me, Spelman was something that I wanted for myself solely,” said Douyon.
Cora Rogers ’27 mentioned that she initially had reservations about attending a women’s college. However, after the panel, Rogers highlighted the potential benefits of a single-gender space, noting that such environments can feel empowering.
“I was thinking that an all girls college would be very much… I was very worried about the social life and very much just feeling isolated and sad that there’s not also guys around. It sounded like it really wasn’t that way and that they all had really good social lives and that it was kind of nice to be in classes and take classes and have facilities that were all designed for your gender. Just to be on campus with everyone who looks like you: that felt very empowering, I really liked that idea,” said Rogers.
