Since 1987, people have celebrated and honored the achievements of women every March for Women’s History Month. Students at Oglethorpe have recognized the month by supporting women-owned businesses, attending lectures, or simply being in community together. This Women’s History Month is a perfect time to highlight just a few of the many achievements of women in the OU community.

Oglethorpe and women’s history was made just months ago when Dr. Kathryn McClymond was named the university’s first female president. Though she is the first in this role, there has been a long history of female leadership at Oglethorpe within the faculty, staff, student body, and alumni. Currently, the university is proud to have a number of accomplished alumnae lending their expertise to volunteer leadership roles, including Board of Trustees Chair Tammy Pearson ’86 and Alumni Board President Sarah Phaff ’10.

Outside Oglethorpe, women Petrels are making an impact everywhere — in education, in business, in medicine, in the arts, in entertainment, and in government. Dar’shun Kendrick ’04 and Ruwa Romman ’15 — who made history when she was elected last year — can be spotted at the Georgia State Capitol in their roles as state representatives. Both visit Oglethorpe frequently and share their college and professional experiences with students.

Recent alumna and four-time All-American for women’s golf Sarah Hsu ’23 made Oglethorpe Athletics history when the Southern Athletics Association named her the 2022-2023 Woman of the Year. Hsu is the only player in Oglethorpe history to be named All-Region and All-America all four years of her collegiate career.

Another recent achievement in women’s athletics came from the 2019-2020 Women’s Basketball team. The group of student-athletes broke the OU record for most wins in a season (29-1), earned their second SAA Championship, and advanced to the sectionals of the NCAA tournament for just the third time in program history and the first since 2009. Unfortunately, the team’s season was cut short due to COVID-19, but they remain one of the best sports teams Oglethorpe has seen.

And when they’re not competing, Oglethorpe’s women athletes are actively engaging with the Atlanta-Brookhaven communities by volunteering and hosting events like February’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration and the upcoming 404 Day of Service.

Cheer on our female athletes at upcoming games, and check OU Connect throughout March for more Women’s History Month events.