Bowdoin Women Honorands Prior to 1970

Prior to the first admission of women to the student body in the early 1970s, twenty-three women received honorary degrees from Bowdoin College. Many, including Sarah Orne Jewett, had connections to the College through male relatives. Others, such as Margaret Chase Smith, were prominent Mainers. Still others played a major role on the campus. All were honored for their contributions to Bowdoin, to academia, and to society.

1968
Marguerite Yourcenar, Litt.D.: Author of Memoires d'Hadrien and Nouvelles Orientales
1965
Katharine Elizabeth O'Brien, L.H.D.: Mathematics teacher - Deering High School, Portland
1964
Dorothy Dennis Marsh, A.M.: Public service in numerous capacities, Washington, DC
1963
Mary Louise Curtis Zimbalist, L.H.D.: Philanthropist and founder - Curtis Music Institute
1962
Agnes Mosher Shumway, A.M.: Public and charitable services, Los Angeles
1961
Abbie Houston Evans, LL.D.: Poet, author of Outcrop and The Bright North
1960
Doris Pike White, L.H.D.: President of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 1958-61
1959
Phyllis Carolyn Weston, M.S.: Mathematics teacher - Skowhegan High School
1957
Helen Whitney Gibson, L.H.D.: American Red Cross worker in World War II
1952
Edith Lansing K. Sills, LL.D.: Wife of President Sills
Margaret Chase Smith, LL.D.: U.S. Senator from Maine
1951
Dorothy Hayes-Stickney Lindsay, A.M.: Actress
1949
Marie Peary Stafford Kuhne, A.M.: Explorer and author of Snowland Folk
1948
Hilda Libby Ives, D.D.: Clergy and teacher - Andover Newton Theological School
1942
Evelina Pierce, A.M.: Headmistress - Master's School, Dobbs Ferry, NY
1935
Anna Elizabeth Smith, A.M.: Curator of Bowdoin's art collection, 1914-35
1933
Mary Ellen Chase, Litt.D.: Author of A Goodly Heritage
Katharine Curtis Pierce, A.M.: President of the Society of Bowdoin Women
1931
Margaret Deland, Litt.D.: Author of Old Chester Tales and Dr. Lavendar's People
1925
Rose Hawthorne Lathrop, A.M.: Dominican nun, founder of the Home for Incurable Cancer
Alice Mary Longfellow, A.M.: Daughter of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
1921
Heloise Edwina Hersey, A.M.: Principal - Miss Hersey's School for Girls
1911
Annie Crosby Emery Allinson, Litt.D.: Dean - Pembroke Academy
Ida Josephine Everett, A.M.: Dean - Wheaton College
1910
Lydia Moulton Chadwick, A.M.: Teacher - Thornton Academy
1904
Kate Douglas Wiggin, Litt.D.: Author of Penelope's Progress and other children's stories
1901
Sarah Orne Jewett, Litt.D.: Author of The Country of the Pointed Firs and A Country Doctor