Virginia Gildersleeve

Date of Birth: October 3, 1877

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: July 7, 1965

Biography

Virginia Crocheron Gildersleeve was a prominent American academic and educator, best known for her influential tenure as Dean of Barnard College from 1911 to 1947. Born in New York City, she was deeply involved in higher education and women’s rights throughout her life. Gildersleeve played a crucial role in shaping modern liberal arts education and was instrumental in the founding of the United Nations, serving on the U.S. delegation that helped draft its charter. Her legacy includes significant contributions to both education and international diplomacy.

5 Interesting Facts about Virginia Gildersleeve

1. Virginia Gildersleeve was the only woman on the U.S. delegation to the San Francisco Conference, which led to the founding of the United Nations.

2. She earned her Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1908, specializing in English literature.

3. Gildersleeve was one of the co-founders of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW) in 1919.

4. She was instrumental in securing funding for Barnard College during the Great Depression, ensuring its financial stability.

5. Gildersleeve’s advocacy extended to World War II, where she supported the inclusion of women in the military and worked on various war relief efforts.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Virginia Gildersleeve

1. “Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself.”

2. “The purpose of a liberal arts education is to make one’s mind a pleasant place in which to spend one’s leisure.”

3. “The best education does not simply prepare us for a career, but for a life of thinking and questioning.”

4. “A college should not be a preparation for life but a part of life.”

5. “True education is a kind of never-ending story—a matter of continual beginnings, of habitual fresh starts, of persistent newness.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While Virginia Gildersleeve’s net worth was not publicly documented, her influence and contributions to education and international diplomacy were invaluable.