Celebrating the Women of 1976: From Pioneers to the Old Guard

When Captain Partridge founded the American, Literary, Scientific and Military Academy in 1819, he created a progressive — and controversial — liberal arts curriculum deeply rooted in uniquely American ideals. Equally radical at the time, Patridge advocated for women to attend institutions of higher education. BG Loring E. Hart, Norwich’s 21st president, realized Patridge’s vision 153 years later, following Norwich University’s merger with Vermont College.

A University Begins to Change

The 1972 merger opened the door for women to apply to Norwich for the first time. Hart embraced the opportunity to expand the student population and actively encouraged women to apply.

The first female students enrolled in fall 1972. They were housed on the Vermont College campus in Montpelier and traveled to Northfield for classes, creating what became known as the “bus society.” The following year, a group of women petitioned BG Hart to live on the Northfield campus and join the Corps of Cadets. Hart supported the proposal for both practical and economic reasons.

In 1974, 71 women pursuing Norwich degrees moved into Gerard Hall, joining approximately 1,000 male cadets on The Hill. Their arrival represented more than a change in housing; they were entering a university in transition and previously unchartered waters. In doing so, Norwich continued the evolution of an educational experiment that began with Captain Alden Partridge more than a century and a half earlier. 

Eight Women in the Corps

Among the women that arrived at Norwich in 1976 were the first eight to join the Norwich Corps of Cadets. Norwich was among the earliest military colleges in the nation to integrate women into their Corps of Cadets, a full two years before the U.S. Service Academies, including West Point.

The University of North Georgia and Virginia Tech admitted women to their Corps in 1973. Norwich and Texas A&M followed in 1974. The Citadel and Virginia Military Institute remained all-male institutions until the 1990s.

The eight women stepped into a military system, campus culture, and set of traditions that had been built entirely around men. There was no established path for them to follow. So, they helped create one.

Two years later, they reached another milestone when 35 women from the Class of 1976 became the first female students to complete four years as Norwich undergraduates. Nancy (Young) Fillip '76 and Roberta Moskos '76, who joined the Corps as juniors, were the first female Corps members to graduate with four-year Norwich degrees.

“Something Bigger Than Ourselves”

The historical significance of the Class of 1976’s experience may not have been known to the women at the time.

“When we entered Norwich, our class was among the first to help transform a college that had been exclusively male for more than a century,” Jocelyn (Stevenson) Roberts ’76 said. “At the time we were simply going to class, making friends, studying, and navigating a unique environment.”

Half a century provides a different perspective.

“Looking back now, I realize we were part of something bigger than ourselves,” Roberts said. “Each of us helped open doors for the generations of women who would follow.”

Those generations have followed in ever-growing numbers.

In the five decades since, more than 5,000 women have attended Norwich as cadet and civilian students, student-athletes and scholars, professors and administrators, military officers and university leaders. They have been regimental commanders, earned commissions, a Rhodes Scholar, won national championships, and carried Norwich’s tradition of service into communities and professions around the world.

50 Years Later

Next week the women from the Class of 1976 will return to The Hill. And once again, they will be the first.

During the Homecoming Alumni Parade on Saturday, Oct. 17, they will join their male classmates as the first women to receive maroon and gold Old Guard medallions. 

In recent years, Vermont College alumnae have received medallions bearing Vermont College’s traditional blue and white. The women of 1976 will be the first to wear Norwich’s colors in recognition of their 50th reunion.

Beyond symbolizing five decades as alumnae, the maroon and gold medallions represent another historic step in the women of 1976’s Norwich journey, now as the first to enter the Old Guard.