The New England pioneer that broke the gender barrier in 1865

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Long before modern movements for equality, one Maine institution was already rewriting the rules of higher education. Founded by abolitionists, Bates College didn't just challenge social norms—it became the first coeducational college in New England, proving that academic excellence and inclusivity could coexist from the very beginning.

Established in 1855 by Oren Burbank Cheney and Benjamin Bates, the college emerged from a period of intense social reform. Cheney, an abolitionist who had previously studied at Dartmouth, sought to create a seminary that reflected his values of religious freedom and equality. This vision led to the college becoming the first institution in New and England to admit both men and women, a milestone cemented in 1865 when Mary Mitchell became the first woman in the region to earn a college degree.

The institution's history is marked by a commitment to breaking barriers. It saw the graduation of the first African-American student, Henry Chandler, in 1874, and the first African-American woman graduate, Stella James Sims, in 1894. Even its academic legacy is defined by scientific breakthroughs; the college is considered the birthplace of inorganic photochemistry due to the work of 1943 alumnus George Hammond, whose research revolutionized chemical activation levels.

However, the college's journey has not been without tension. While it prides itself on its motto, 'amore ac studio' (with love for learning), it has faced scrutiny regarding socioeconomic diversity. In 2012, media attention highlighted its status as one of the most expensive colleges in the U.S., and reports have noted that a significant portion of its student body comes from affluent backgrounds. Despite these complexities, Bates remains a prominent 'Little Ivy,' maintaining a rigorous 9:1 student-faculty ratio and a prestigious reputation for both the humanities and the sciences.

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