ureate sermon at the unique commencement
exercises. Mrs. Mary F. Haskin, and Mrs. Elizabeth Greenleaf were
respectively presidents of the board of trustees.

Later on, as a higher evolution of the central thought, an
arrangement was made between the Woman's College and the
Northwestern University, by which the former became the woman's
department of the latter, on condition that in its board of
trustees, faculty of instruction, and all its departments of
culture, women should be admitted on an equality with men, as to
opportunities, positions and salaries. Miss Willard was then
chosen dean of the Woman's College, and professor of aesthetics in
the University. Mrs. Emily Huntington Miller was placed on the
executive committee of the board, and Mrs. R. F. Queal, Mrs.
Jennie Fowler Willing, Mrs. Mary Bannister Willard, and Mrs. L.
L. Greenleaf were elected trustees. One year later, Miss Willard
entered the temperance work since which time Miss Ellen M. Soule
and Miss Jane Bancroft have successively served in the position
of dean.

The young women have led in scholarship, taken prizes in
composition and oratory, while upon one occasion the delighted
students dragged forth the only artillery in the village to voice
their enthusiasm over the fact that to Miss Lizzie R. Hunt had
been awarded at the great international contest the first prize
for the best English essay.

In 1873, while filling the duties of professor in Wesleyan
University, Mrs. Jennie Fowler Willing was licensed as a local
preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the first woman
engaged as evangelist in Illinois.

The Monticello Ladies' Seminary at Godfrey is worthy of mention.
Miss Harriet N. Haskell, its president, has done a noble work
there in making possible for many girls, by labor under her roof
to pay in part for a liberal education. She has been at the head
of this institution for thirty years. Mrs. F.A. Shiner at Mt.
Carroll, is another grand woman worthy of mention. She, too,
gives poor girls an opportunity in her household to pay in part
for their education. In this way many are being trained in
domestic accomplishments as well as the higher branches of
education. There is no distinction made between those who work a
certain number of hours each day and