State College Woman's Club

- Documenting the Role of Women in Local History -

Miss Harriet Aurelia McElwain was Secretary to President George Atherton during his tenure at Penn State. Born in Beckett, MA on February 12, 1859, McElwain graduated from Mt. Holyoke Seminary, which was the first American college dedicated to higher education for women. She taught for two years in Springfield, MA as a lady principal of a grammar school before taking a position at Penn State in the summer of 1883.

As Lady Principal at Penn State, McElwain supervised all female students. At this time, female students lived in the west wing of Old Main. McElwain's first priority was to have the wing renovated. She received her master's degree in 1885 and became Professor of History at Penn State in addition to serving as Lady Principal. Her continued lobbying to the Honorable John E. Reyburn secured funds in 1887 to build a "Ladies Cottage" on campus. This cottage was the first female dormitory at Penn State.

As well as serving as Secretary to the president, teaching History and Latin and Mathematics in the Preparatory Department, McElwain also attended to President Atherton's duties while he was away. As Atherton attended conventions throughout the U.S., McElwain frequently took on his responsibilities. In a 1948 speech for the laying of the cornerstone of McElwain Hall, Helen Atherton Govier, President Atherton's daughter, recalled Miss McElwain's competency:

"She learned to know so well the operations of all the departments of the college, the personnel involved, and the problems my father was constantly facing, that he could be away from his desk for days at a time, particularly during legislative sessions, feeling perfectly confident in her administering of all affairs during his absence."

Throughout her busy career, McElwain also found time to participate in the State College Woman's Literary Club. Along with discussing anti-slavery movements, civil service reform, public education, and the developing press and its influence, the Woman's Literary Club discussed higher education for women.