Women Become Active Participants in Aggie Corp

When the university began in 1876, admission remained limited to white males who were under the Morill Act, were required to participate in the Corp. This is best reflected in the 1895 yearbook where members of Company D are pictured. Appearing in what is believed to be the first printed yearbook, this image provides a glimpse into what Corp uniforms looked like 130 years ago. Not until 1975 did participation in the Corp become voluntary for all students. While the university originated as an all-male, military institution it does not remain so today.

Sourced from student Ella Rydell

On October 27, 1988, the Battalion newspaper published an image drawn by Texas A&M student, William Bradford ‘68. Through artistic means this picture displays the evolution of Corp uniforms from 1877-1975. Perhaps most memorable is the present-day depiction of a Corp member. While women gained admission to the university in 1963, they were not permitted to join the Corp until the fall of 1974, a year prior to this drawing’s completion.

Sourced from student Sadie McCaskill

*The Battalion* Vol 88 No 44 October 27, 1988 P. 11

The W-1 became the first female company. The January 22, 1975, Battalion featured an article highlighting the first female cadet uniform. These images display how the fabric of an A&M Corp uniform can reflect wider sentiment of the evolution of the Corp over the years.

Sourced from student Hailey Perez

The inclusion of women in the Corp was not met without protest. The September 11, 1974, newspaper recorded male Cadet’s discontent with the overcrowding of dormitories. Such overflow came as a result of the university’s decision to make dormitories co-education, as it was the first semester of women participation in the Corp. Fortunately, the editor of the newspaper wrote an article two months later in defense of female Cadets.