Producing educated women: Eveline LeBlanc and the University of Ottawa

Abstract

As a French-Canadian, Catholic institution, the University of Ottawa's practices and policies traditionally reflected the philosophy that universities served primarily to train boys for the professions. This ideal remained in effect until the mid-1950s when the University of Ottawa first considered actively recruiting women students. In 1959, the University hired Eveline LeBlanc to organize an initiative to actively recruit women students. This thesis explores two issues of importance to the study of women's history. Firstly, the main theme of this thesis pertains to Eveline LeBlanc and her professional role as a person of authority within the all-male, Catholic based administrative structure at the University of Ottawa during its transition to a co-educational institution. Secondly, this thesis also looks at the experiences of women students at the University of Ottawa from the mid-1950s until the mid-1960s as they struggle to obtain acceptance and define their position in a predominantly male setting.