Former Purdue dean of women honored

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A former Purdue dean of women has been recognized for her many contributions to U.S. history by the National Women's History Project as one of 16 national honorees for 2016. The NWHP theme for the honorees is, "Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government."

Dorothy C. Stratton served as Purdue's first full-time dean of women from 1933 to 1946. She took a leave of absence during World War II to organize and direct the Women's Reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard, where she achieved the rank of captain and gave the unit its name, SPARS (short for "Semper Paratus," the Coast Guard's motto, and its English translation, "Always Ready"). She received the Legion of Merit for her contributions to women in the military.

In 1947, she became director of personnel for the International Monetary Fund and later served as the executive director of the Girl Scouts of America. In 2010, first lady Michelle Obama christened the USCGC Stratton in memory of Stratton's achievements. She died in 2006 at the age of 107.

Angie Klink, Purdue graduate and author of "The Deans' Bible: Five Purdue Women and their Quest for Equality," which features Stratton, said she nominated her because few people knew of Stratton's accomplishments and contributions to U.S. history.

Her photo will appear on a poster, bookmark and a story in the NWHP Gazette, all of which will be available for purchase online. A lunch and program March 19 in Washington, D.C., will celebrate the honorees.

Stratton's time at Purdue is preserved in the Susan Bulkeley Butler Women's Archives. The archives are part of the Purdue University Libraries Archives and Special Collections and memorialize the legacy of the women who helped shape the university and the state of Indiana. Visit http://collections.lib.purdue.edu/womens-archives/ for more information.

Visit http://collections.lib.purdue.edu/womens-archives/quest-for-equality/ for more information or to purchase Klink's book, "The Deans' Bible: Five Purdue Women and their Quest for Equality." 

Writer: Megan Huckaby, 765-496-1325, mhuckaby@purdue.edu 

Source: Angie Klink, 765-426-1164, aklink@nlci.com