History of Cap and Gown

he history of Cap and Gown begins with a picture of the life and surroundings of Stanford women students at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. The University was about fifteen years old, and many features of campus life were still in their formative stage. The routine of student life was just being formed.
There were about five hundred women students attending the University, organized into a rather informal group which met irregularly whenever a meeting place could be found. The meetings, according to later reports, were uninteresting and poorly attended. Many women lived off campus; those in residence lived in groups whose interests were centered in their own membership. Women were apt to know intimately only the members of their own small unit, those women who came from the same home town, or those with whom they were acquainted because of similar interests.
It is easy for us who have followed to understand why women with leadership qualities early recognized that Stanford women were missing some of the opportunities which should have been a part of their college lives. They felt the need of an organization which could bring all groups together to promote better acquaintance and a more friendly relationship among them. As leaders, they wanted to know other leaders better.
Some of these women were presented with an offer which eventually led to the organization of Cap and Gown. Members of Prytenean, the Senior Women's Honor Society at the University of California, talked to some Stanford women and urged them to form a second chapter of Prytenean at Stanford. Their proposal was not enthusiastically accepted, but from that suggestion the idea of starting a similar society with policies geared to their own needs grew in the minds of the Stanford women.
In the spring of 1905, Edith Mirrielees, Hazel Pedlar (Faulkner), and Alice Hayes (Chalmers) took a walk around the lake to talk over the possibilities of such an organization. As they returned, they sat down on the stile over the old farm fence in back of the old post office, and were joined there by Nora Dunn (Henley). There the four discussed a proposed organization of senior women who were leaders. They decided to talk over their plans with three Faculty wives, Mrs. Branner, Mrs. Ryan, and Mrs. Duniway, but their plan was not immediately carried out.
In November, 1905, Hazel Pedlar and Nora Dunn finally called on the three Faculty wives to talk about their ideas and ask advice. Mrs. Branner and Mrs. Ryan immediately approved the idea of the formation of a Senior Society which would be composed of the outstanding women of the class; they offered their unqualified assistance. Mrs. Duniway, on the other hand, had reservations and questioned Hazel and Nora. The following is quoted from Nora Dunn's account of their talk with her:
"Mrs. Duniway asked some pertinent questions, the first one being, 'Who said you were outstanding?' We gulped a bit and answered that somebody had to take the initiative, and that with her help we thought we could select an outstanding group to be charter members. Her second question was, 'How big a group will you start with, and where will you stop? Will you select two or three from each living group?' To this we answered that we thought it should be a small group to start with - ten or twelve members. Perhaps one representative from each activity group rather than from the living units. These would act as a working committee to carry out our program, but would also accept the responsibilities that membership would entail. Mrs. Duniway's third question was, 'What is your program? Or is this just another organization to flatter a favored few by membership?'"
The women told Mrs. Duniway that they saw the need for an organization that would take the lead in bringing women together in a more friendly relationship. Also, they had a dream of building a clubhouse for the women in some dim future. These objectives satisfied Mrs. Duniway, and she gave Cap and Gown her encouragement and help.
When the decision to form the organization was reached, the women held a meeting at the Alpha Phi house to complete their preliminary work, to discuss what the requirements for membership should be, and to elect charter members. The requirements decided on were simple: first, obvious leadership in one or more fields of undergraduate activity, and second, a sound scholastic record.
The original four women feared that their new society might not be taken seriously, and that the women they chose might not accept. All but one of those elected, however, became members. Among them were Emma Hayward (Kalenborn), Julia Boynton, and Jane Spaulding. Here is Nora Dunn's account of an early meeting: "At a later meeting held at Mrs. Duniway's house with the new members present, we considered what should go into our modest bylaws, and what the infant organization should be called. We wanted a mortar board of black enamel on gold for our pin, but we hesitated to use 'Mortar Board' for our name, as many other colleges had Mortar Board Clubs. So we decided on Cap and Gown, which was fitting for a Senior organization, and permitted the use of the mortar board for our pin."
In April, 1906, shortly after the organizational meeting at Mrs. Duniway's, the earthquake ended the college career of the class of 1906. Fortunately for Cap and Gown's future, the 1907 class had been elected. It was their task to start the new organization on its way. Incidentally, the first member chosen in that class had been Claire Pedlar, Hazel's sister, so they were the first Cap and Gown sisters. Jess McGilvray (Treat) was another of the '07 women elected. Jess was an interesting woman whose husband, Prof. Payson Treat, later told a story about her experience of the 1906 earthquake to a group of Freshmen women and their Junior dorm advisor in 1963 (several of those women were later to become Cap and Gown members). Jess went to bed the night of the earthquake, too tired to finish a paper that was due the next day. As she went to bed, she prayed that something would happen which would make it possible for her not to have to turn in that paper the next day. Of course, the earthquake closed Stanford for the rest of the semester, so Jess more than got her wish. Prof. Treat claimed that Jess always felt a little guilty about her wish!
In spite of having to overcome such obstacles as the earthquake, the group soon made its presence at Stanford felt and became respected. Its first concerted effort, in 1908, was to sponsor and initiate a drive for funds to build a clubhouse for women. The goal of the whole project was to provide a place where off-campus women could have a meeting place and university home. Besides leading the drive on the campus and giving many benefits to raise their funds, Cap and Gown sent a letter to all alumnae outlining the need for such a center. The women felt it was important to raise the money themselves. Their work helped to assure the construction of the building, but the funds collected were insufficient for its completion and its furnishing. Cap and Gown members worked again to help provide many extras. During the early days of its struggle for existence, it is doubtful that the clubhouse could have survived had it not been for the quiet but devoted efforts of Mrs. W. P. Cubberley, later a Cap and Gown honorary member. Her wise counsel and hard work laid the foundation which made it possible to have a center for women's activities on the campus.
In the early years, the meetings of Cap and Gown were held wherever space was available; some of them were even outdoors under some convenient tree. Usually, however, they were scheduled so that an unoccupied classroom on the Quad could be used. The building selected followed the major of the President, generally somewhere in the English-History corner. The Tea, which Cap and Gown almost from its inception gave to welcome all new Freshmen women, was held in a more formal setting; for years Mrs. Branner's garden was used. To many Freshmen it was the featured event of that year, long to be remembered and cherished. In later years, when Dr. Wilbur was President, this Tea was held at the President's house on Lagunita Knoll. When the number of women in the University was increased beyond the five hundred limit, the Tea was reluctantly abandoned because it became impossible to handle it successfully.
The close bonds established with the Faculty wives, to whom the women turned at the beginning of this history when they needed advice and help, were maintained by the active students in the years which followed. There has also been a cherished association between the undergraduate women and the older members. In the early years, there were few women faculty to serve as models and mentors. Edith Mirrielees was an obvious exception; one of the original founders, she went on to be an honored faculty member who maintained close ties with Cap and Gown. Alumnae who lived on or near the campus also often maintained an active association with Cap and Gown. It became the custom to hold all but strictly business meetings at the home of faculty, alumnae members, or honorary members, making for closer ties between the various age groups.
This close relationship between the students and older members has been a large reason for Cap and Gown's choosing to maintain its unique identity and not become affiliated with Mortar Board. On many occasions during its existence, Cap and Gown has been asked to transfer its membership to a chapter of national Mortar Board. This invitation has been rejected chiefly because of Mortar Board regulations which would make it impossible for Cap and Gown to keep many of its honorary members. Such women have been elected by Cap and Gown when the students felt they had earned the recognition, and their membership has been prized by the organization more than affiliation with a national honorary group.
World events have changed the routines of the generations of Stanford women. Both World War I and World War II changed many customs of their respective eras. With the advent of the first war days, such generally accepted customs as the wearing of caps and gowns on Quad each Friday morning of the entire Senior year were abandoned. During World War II, the Cap and Gown members furnished a room at Dibble Hospital, but this activity was later abandoned. When World War II brought gasoline rationing, the delightful weekends ended which had been held for a number of years at the mountain cabin of Mrs. Edwin Thomas. These retreats, attended by alums and active members, provided an opportunity for fun as well as serious discussions of a variety of subjects. These outings were a special treat for all attending.
Not only world events, but also changing policy at Stanford brought about new Cap and Gown activities. When it became necessary for the Stanford Board of Trustees to make a tuition charge after many years with only nominal fees, a whole new field of activity was indicated. Many deserving students could not come to Stanford because of the expense involved. A new opportunity was presented to provide scholarships for women who could not register without such assistance.
In 1924 the Cap and Gown scholarships were started, and they have been awarded each year since. In 1941, on the occasion of Stanford's fiftieth birthday, Cap and Gown provided money for an additional scholarship for one year called the Marguerite Blake Wilbur Scholarship, in honor of Mrs. Wilbur, wife of the President and a member of Cap and Gown. In 1943 a Summer Quarter Scholarship was given, and in 1948 the practice began of providing substantial scholarship assistance for one or more foreign students in addition to the original scholarship. In addition, funds were provided to Dean Mary Yost's office for use in making loans to students who were desperately in need of immediate emergency funds. For example, in 1949 a $100 Roomship was made available to pay room fees for some worthy student.
A scholarship effort which has brought a deep sense of satisfaction to many Cap and Gown members was that in support of the Mary Yost Scholarship. Mary Yost was Women's Dean for many years, and developed a close relationship with Cap and Gown, calling on our organization to help her get things done on campus or in support of a special need. A devoted friend, she received devotion in return from Cap and Gown members of that time. The Mary Yost Scholarship, though not specifically a Cap and Gown Scholarship, had widespread support from women students and alumnae, as well as from the members of Cap and Gown.
All of these activities have required large sums of money, but Cap and Gown members have never been afraid to work. In 1943 the student members pledged themselves to earn $15 each for the Scholarship fund before their first year as graduates was over. Car washing, baby sitting, and an occasional wager were some of the varied activities which played their part in this endeavor and caused many a chuckle while earning many a dollar.
Although Cap and Gown had been providing scholarships to foreign students since 1948, the Foreign Scholarship Committee was founded in 1956. The goals of the Committee members were to help the Foreign Scholar became integrated into campus life, to aid her in learning more about Cap and Gown, and to maintain the scope of the scholarship program. In 1956, contributions to the Scholarship Fund were made, for the first time, in the form of memorial gifts.
The Stanford Calendar, which made the Scholarship Fund a reality, was the major project of the group from 1939 to 1983. Its compilation and sale meant endless hours of effort which brought successful results. It is hard to imagine now how original a project this was. Today, calendars are sold in profusion, with high quality photographs and art work. When the Cap and Gown calendar first appeared, however, it was one of few such efforts, and it was the only one presenting original art and photographs featuring the Stanford campus. Anna Fitzhugh Bell was the first chair of the Calendar Committee, a post she held for many years. At her death, the 1960 calendar was dedicated to her memory. Thereafter, the calendar was guided for years by Pat Cashel (Schmidt) '44.
The calendar thrived until others groups began similar projects and there were many calendars to choose from. When the calendar no longer held a special niche and could not provide consistent substantial financial support for the Scholarship program, the Cap and Gown membership voted to discontinue the project in favor of direct appeals for contributions to endow the Scholarship Fund. The last calendar was sold in 1983. From 1942 through 1982, the income from the calendar supported scholarships totaling $76,178. These were awarded in varying amounts to 95 scholars, thirteen of whom were students from foreign countries. The new system of direct appeals has also proven successful, enabling continued support and expansion of the Scholarship program.
The second official Cap and Gown Scholarship to be founded was the Margaret Barr Scholarship, which was established in 1986 with a bequest from Margaret's will. As an honorary member of the organization, Margaret Barr participated enthusiastically on Cap and Gown activities, and gave great support to women's athletics at Stanford during her many years with the University. Women involved in athletics are the preferred recipients of this scholarship. Although it was fully endowed from the beginning, Cap and Gown Alumnae have continued to add funds to it every year in her memory.
In 1950, one of the most notable of all members of Cap and Gown was tapped, Sandra Day (O'Connor). This Stanford leader was. of course, later to become the first woman member of the Supreme Court. The next mention of her in the Cap and Gown archives came in 1958: "Sandra Day O'Connor has recently returned to part-time law practice in Phoenix." Women's lives and careers have never followed exactly the same trajectory as men's; another notable function of Cap and Gown throughout its history has been to present models of women working out productive, even exemplary, careers like that of Justice O'Connor's. In 1989, under the sponsorship of Diane Porter (Cooley) '50, the Sandra Day O'Connor Cap and Gown Scholarship was established. Through the generosity of enthusiastic Cap and Gown Alumnae and others, this scholarship has just become fully endowed.
In 1993 the Alumnae Board recognized the contributions of a very special Cap and Gown Alum, Rosamond Clarke (Bacon) '30, by establishing a Cap and Gown Scholarship in her name. Ros was an active student member during her college years and a frequent returnee to Cap and Gown weekend retreats during her early career as a teacher. Eventually she came back to live on the Stanford campus, where she has been a staunch supporter of Cap and Gown for over 50 years. As Director of Union Residence and Roble Halls, and then as wife of Mathematics Professor Harold Bacon, Ros's warm interest in Cap and Gown students and alums has been felt by many generations. Her campus home on Mayfield Avenue (formerly Lasuen Street), with a circular drive and prolific roses, has been a gathering place for Cap and Gown meetings and social events since 1946.
Alumnae members and other women associated with Stanford (initially women faculty and faculty wives and, later, honorary members) have always played a significant role in the activities of Cap and Gown. In addition to hostessing weekend retreats, the older women also provided some continuity from year to year, especially in support of efforts to establish the Women's Clubhouse (now known simply as "The Clubhouse") and the production of the Cap and Gown calendar. In 1952, the Alumnae Board was formed, composed of fourteen to fifteen alumnae who lived near enough to the campus to attend monthly meetings and who were ready to assist actives whenever and however they could. The Board also included two student members. In the years since it was formed, service on the Alumnae Board has been found to be one of the best and richest interactions between actives and alums, and many cross-generation friendships have been formed as a result of the Board's activities.
In 1963, a 50th Anniversary Luncheon was held to honor women who were tapped for Cap and Gown in 1913. Eight members of that class were still alive and able to attend. At the luncheon, they each were presented with a white gardenia, which had been part of their original tapping ceremony. They also heard a panel of Stanford women students discussing the lives of "Stanford Women in 1963." One of those honored, whose picture appeared in contemporary newspaper accounts of the ceremony, was Clara Crosby (Wood). Three years later, in 1966, her grand-daughter was inducted into Cap and Gown, and Clara was present for the post-tapping celebration at the home of Stanford President Wallace Sterling. Clara's grand-daughter, Antonette Wood (Zeiss) remembers Colleen Cuthbertson (wife of the Registrar, Dr. Kenneth Cuthbertson, and an honorary Cap and Gown member) trying to "rescue" her from the attentions of the older woman who seemed to be monopolizing her during the evening. Mrs. Cuthbertson warmly shared their pride in the evening when she heard the real story.
At that tapping ceremony in 1966, a highlight was the presentation of a Charter Member, Emma Hayward (Kalenbourn), tapped in 1906. She discussed the impact of the earthquake and reminded the class of a lesson similar to Jess Treat's story: nothing beat the earthquake for escaping finals! She also reminisced about the heated discussion of the tennis team setting out for a match at UC Berkeley, who debated the merits of wearing "daring new middie blouses." Since men would be attending the match, the blouses were vetoed.
When the Alumnae Board was formed in 1952, they suggested Constitution revision as a first task. That suggestion came at a time when there was no outward indication that Cap and Gown was about to change significantly, yet within 15 years that is what occurred. In the University, more than in an average community, new ideas and new trends make themselves felt as college generations change. Fortunately, Cap and Gown was open to the kinds of changes that took place in the late 1960's and the 1970's.
As leaders of Stanford women representing many Stanford activities, it was natural for the members of Cap and Gown to think of their honor group and to focus their attention on what they felt were its weak points. With the earlier abolition of sororities at Stanford, Cap and Gown was the only campus women's group left which was selective in its choice of members without an application procedure. They began debating such questions as, "What is the purpose of Cap and Gown? Has it a place at Stanford? If its members are leaders, what is leadership? On what basis do we qualify as judges of our peers? Are we justified in continuing an honor society with membership based on leadership and service?" These were, of course, some of the very questions originally asked of the founding members of Cap and Gown in 1905 by Mrs. Duniway. It was time for re-examination. Complacency with established traditions vanished, and feelings of doubt arose in the minds of many actives as to the worth of the group, the value of its continuation, and the proof of its democracy, on a campus where democracy had always been emphasized. The number of actives inducted declined dramatically. In 1966, 47 new members had been tapped; ten years later, in 1976, only five new members were tapped.
Earnest consideration of the function and role of Cap and Gown took place in the years around 1976. Opinion was divided, but the general feeling was that if the society were to survive, its members must have a more definite purpose and must be a group that would make a more concrete contribution to justify its existence. Its usefulness must be measured by the standards of a practical present rather than a sentimental past. For example, women, when they began challenging some of the traditional elements of Cap and Gown, questioned the university's policy that all Stanford women undergraduates must live on campus, just as they challenged other symbols and behaviors of earlier eras.
Having reached that point, the women sought help from prominent members of the administration and faculty in defining what constitutes leadership and whether they themselves qualified as leaders. Among both faculty and students, members affirmed a strong feeling that there was definitely a place at Stanford for such an organization as Cap and Gown. They believed that it had a positive and vital role to fill in the campus picture: by bringing the outstanding women of the University into one group, each Gap and Gown member increased her value as an individual through the exchange of ideas. In addition, Stanford could gain even more from their leadership and service.
Three major changes came about as a result of the reappraisal:
the selection of members was made more democratic by publishing requirements for membership and by asking those interested in becoming members to make application.
the membership was enlarged by the election of more women who were outstanding leaders of the student body;
the effectiveness of active members was increased by electing as many Juniors as possible in Spring Quarter so their terms of active membership would be longer.

Throughout this period, the survival of Cap and Gown was at times uncertain. That it has survived is a tribute to all those who hold membership. The ultimate outcome, which preserves the organization as originally conceived, demonstrates that traditional values can be successfully combined with the new and continually changing ideals of our modern society. Using a more empirical criterion, the years since 1976 show the change: in 1977, nine new members were tapped and in 1978, six members were tapped. Following the changes, 28 were tapped in 1979; and by 1986 (ten years after the historic low period), 39 new members were tapped. The organization has had a steady, slightly rising entry of new members since then, showing the sustained interest of women in belonging to a community of Stanford women leaders.
Changes in the selection process have also changed other traditions. The term "tapping" originally could be taken literally. On an evening in the Spring, current active members would circulate through the women's living halls at dinner time and approach students who had been selected for Cap and Gown. They would do this by walking up behind the student selected and tapping her on the shoulder. Georgia Sutherland provided a vibrant contemporary account of this process, describing her tapping in 1960, in the dining room of Branner Hall, where she was a dorm advisor:
"It was a Monday evening and all of a sudden some women in black robes came hurrying into the dining room. Cap and Gown? Of course! But none of the Freshmen women had any idea what was happening. So as I was explaining to the girls at my table, all the time I was hoping I would be chosen. From somewhere in back of me I heard someone say: 'I can't find Georgia Lee!' I wanted to raise my hand and say. 'Here I am!' Of course they found me. And what a thrill it was to be honored as a new member of Cap and Gown."
Now, new members apply and they are notified by mail if they are selected. Opening the envelope from Cap and Gown must still be exciting, but it is a different experience from the public recognition of the older ritual. Much has been gained in updating the selection process; those of us who experienced the former process sometimes wonder if something has been lost, too.
Women students of the '80s and 90's have faced decisions about how to keep Cap and Gown meaningful. Deeply aware of the social responsibility accompanying leadership, recent Cap and Gown student members have volunteered their services to help tutor in local high schools, provide ongoing entertainment to critically ill children at Children's Hospital, help with the Special Olympics, and volunteer at the Community Association for the Retarded.
In 1989, members of the Cap and Gown Board felt that there was a change in the involvement of alumnae with Cap and Gown. During the difficult days of the 1970s, when recruiting active new members was hard, the Board had showed consistent strength and commitment. Following a pattern established at least by the early 1960's, Board meetings were held once a month, with a full complement of Board members attending. Following Board meetings, alumnae would join actives at Tresidder Union for lunch. But as the organization found solutions to the problems of recruiting new actives and maintaining a role for Cap and Gown in the University community, the alumnae found themselves facing a new problem. Women's lives were changing, and the typical alum now was working in a full or part time job, with less time for volunteer activities. Women were especially no longer available for weekday daytime meetings. As with many organizations, the 20/80 rule seemed to apply (20% of the people do 80% of the work), The Alumnare who were most active were concerned that enthusiasm for and commitment to Cap and Gown might be waning
In response to these concerns, a questionnaire was designed to obtain information about alumnae who were willing to be more active. The Board sent out the questionnaire with genuine concern about what the response would be. There was an enthusiastic response, with many volunteers, demonstrating that commitment to Cap and Gown remained strong. These busy women, most of them with ongoing careers, made some changes to enable the Board to continue assisting students and women's scholarships at Stanford. Starting in 1989, the Alumnae Board meetings were held quarterly, using the summer meeting to plan activities for the coming academic year. The publication of the newsletter was moved to the fall, and it included an announcement of Board meetings and other activities, so that remote members traveling to the Bay Area could attend if they wished. Board activities have included development of a Bay Area Directory of Cap and Gown Alumnae, in response to student requests for mentors and increased contact with alums in various professions. The Board has also sponsored two activities each year. The winter Tapping Tea, traditionally held in February on a week-day afternoon, honors the new student members selected during the application process. The Spring Brunch, traditionally held on an April Saturday, provides speakers and/or panels of interest to all ages of Cap and Gowners. In 1991, Cap and Gown also was involved in Stanford's Centennial activities. In addition, the Actives sponsor their own events. One of the most popular is an Appreciation Tea in the Spring honoring their favorite faculty members. Brought together in recognition of their outstanding leadership, Cap and Gown continues to provide a vehicle for mutual support and motivation to help guarantee the ongoing return of their skills and talents to the campus and broader community.
As the women sat on the stile, they dreamed of an organization which would encourage friendship and leadership. But their brainchilnd grew beyond their fondest expectations. As Hazel Faulkner expressed it, "Certainly the passing years have broadened our original dream most gratifyingly and have preserved its precious spirit." Because of the wisdom of the first members who set high requirements for membership, the caliber of the women who have been its members has made Cap and Gown outstanding and has enabled Cap and Gown to exert a lasting influence on the Stanford women who have used their talents to become contributing citizens in their communities and the nation. So the Cap and Gowners who have been outstanding leaders for almost a century, have had the opportunity to exert a positive influence on Stanford. The actives and alumnae continue their leadership, looking toward the future. The years ahead will unquestionably provide new challenges and opportunities to serve. Cap and Gown will bring together the women who will help answer those challenges and continue the tradition of service that is the hallmark of the organization.
Cap and Gown Board 1994-95
Edited by Antonette Wood (Zeiss) '66
February, 1995
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