Phoebe A. Hearst

Kindle version of vintage magazine article originally published in 1900. Contains lots of great info and illustrations seldom seen in the last 100 years.

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Mrs. Hearst is essentially a woman's woman. One morning it was announced that Mrs. Hearst had established several fellowships in the University of California—fellowships for young and struggling women students. It was a new departure. Up to that time the women at Berkeley had always felt themselves unwelcome. They were ig¬nominiously referred to as "co-eds," with a divine masculine assumption that education is a part of man's sphere, and that women who aim above mere seminary prattle are venturing where they have no concern. But with this new and powerful ally, the status of the young women began insensibly to change. It was not long before they had formed their own organization of Associated Students. Their counsel came to be asked even in athletic affairs. The fellowships, of course, were eagerly sought in time they increased in number. The first tie had been knitted between Mrs. Hearst and the University of California.

It was about this time that the agitation for a woman regent of the university was begun. Hitherto it had never occurred to any one that the growing body of women students needed any representative on the board. It was always presumed—as it is still presumed in larger affairs—that the inter¬ests of the women were the same as those of the men, and that the women were adequate-ly represented by the men regents. The result of such representation was that the only place the girls could call their own was the worst room in North Hall. Here the plumbing was always out of order, the stove in continual revolt, the room crowded, dark, ill-smelling and draughty. At luncheon time North Hall was so crowded that one could scarcely move in it, much less find a chair.

But the opposition to a woman regent was strong. The idea was new and therefore vigorously combated. At last came a liberal governor, James H. Budd, graduate of the university—an opportune vacancy, strong pressure from the women graduates, and Mrs. Hearst the obvious woman for the place. The appointment was a nine days' wonder. Mrs. Hearst had never been generally known as a business woman, though she had taken an active and laborious part in settling and managing her large and complicated estate. She was an instant success. Very quiet in manner and averse to public-speaking, she is not too proud even now to confess that her heart was in her mouth when she walked into her first regents' meeting. She was almost mouse-like in her demeanor, though apparently as calm as if she were presiding at her dinner table. For all her grace and graciousness, she knew how to be firm. Sometimes she expostulated at what she considered an unwise move; sometimes she was indignant at what seemed to her an injustice. Always she was resolute, and she ended by being a power in the board. Was there a new president to be selected, send him to Mrs. Hearst on ap¬proval. Was there a change under discussion, find out what Mrs. Hearst thought of it. The quiet woman with the sweet face under a Parisian bonnet, and the soft curves disguising the firm chin buried in furs, was the real president of that body of lawyers and bankers. Other regents had hinted much and had promised things. Other regents had given bountifully of their time and labor, but banker after banker had died without making the university even his residuary legatee. Mrs. Hearst was the first regent to show her love and faith in practical form