This timeline documenting the admission of women to Selwyn has been put together using items from [Selwyn’s Archives](http://www.sel.cam.ac.uk/selwyn-college/selwyn-archives/) and other sources. It focuses on the discussions that brought about co-residence, the reaction to the arrival of women students, and also shows some of the context of women at Cambridge and beyond. ;xNLx;;xNLx;Over the course of 2016, we will be bringing it up to date with your stories of life at Selwyn post-1976 and with blog posts looking at the whole history of Selwyn’s women.;xNLx;;xNLx;Do you have any stories we can add? Any more “firsts”? Can you trump the ones already mentioned? If so, let us know using our [submissions page](http://www.sel.cam.ac.uk/selwyn-college/women-selwyn-40-years/share-memories-selwyn/).;xNLx;;xNLx;Hint: Use your mouse to drag the oblong marker at the base of the timeline backwards and forwards.;xNLx;;xNLx;Please note: on mobiles, this timeline is best viewed in the 2D option (button on lower left of the screen).
What was to become Girton College was established as the College for Women at Benslow House in Hitchin on 16 October 1869
Lady Margaret Hall was established in 1878 as the first women's college in Oxford
The University of London became the first British university to admit women to its degrees.
Women eligible to take the Tripos examinations and are offered university certificates if they pass
The first women students were examined in Cambridge (although not admitted to degrees).
Between 1904 and 1907, approximately 700 Oxford and Cambridge women - dubbed "Steamboat ladies" - travelled to Dublin to receive their degrees.
Women over the age of 30 (and who met certain property qualifications) were enfranchised alongside all men over 21.
Women over 21 were given the right to stand for election as an MP.
In 1920, women became eligible to be full members of the University of Oxford and were given the right to take degrees.
Women in the University of Cambridge were eligible to be awarded diplomas which conferred the Title of the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, but were excluded from the governing of the University as they were not admitted to the Degree of Bachelor of Arts.
All women over 21 were enfranchised.
Following the decision of December 1947, in April 1948 University Statutes were amended to admit women students to full membership of the University of Cambridge.
The graduate colleges Darwin, Clare Hall, and Wolfson (then known as University College) were the first mixed colleges in Cambridge.
Selwyn JCR held an open meeting in Easter Term and agreed to solicit the opinion of junior members of College on the matter of co-residence.
As a result of the JCR discussions on co-residence, the JCR presented a paper to the Governing Body recommending the consideration of this matter within Selwyn.
In 1971, junior members of college gained observer status at meetings of the Governing Body.
At a special meeting of the Governing Body, the proposal that would have required a two-thirds vote to be passed failed even to gain the majority vote that would have allowed discussions to continue.
"... it would be in the long-term interests of the College to become co-residential"
"Dr Harrison was pleased to report that applications from women had been fairly numerous - certainly rather better than expected - and consequently there will be thirty-six lovely young things gracing the College next October." Selwyn Stutters, March 1976.
The College Calendar reported that preparations for the admission of women went smoothly.
First women students at Selwyn
Charlotte Carey was the inaugural SCWBC Captain, with Fiona Morrison as Vice Captain.
The student newsletter looks at the new students at Selwyn
The Governing Body of Girton College voted in November 1976 to admit men.
David Harrison, the Senior Tutor, reflects on the changes to admissions and the effect of women at Selwyn
Fiona Morrison, for rowing
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