JoAnne Schmidt [O'Brien] (1929-2008) is credited with prying open the door for admission of women into the University of Minnesota's new Veterinary College in 1948. When her employer, a University alumna, learned that JoAnne had been rejected by the school, she mounted a letter-writing campaign among her fellow women alumni that tipped the balance and allowed JoAnne and classmate Bee Gutcheck Wolf to be admitted. So that male students couldn't complain about women taking up available openings, the College added two places to the class of 48, for a total of 50 students. Dr. Schmidt and Dr. Hanlon graduated in 1952, the first two women veterinarians to emerge from the new college. Dr. Schmidt went on to establish a successful practice in the Washington, DC area, and was a breeder of champion Chow Chow dogs.
Creator: University of Minnesota
Publisher: Courtesy the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Museum, used with permission
Date: 1952
Identifer: accession
