
Amherst College was founded in 1821 but did not admit women until 1975. But 13 years earlier in 1962, Rose Olver became the first woman hired to a tenure-track faculty position at Amherst. She later chaired the psychology department at the college.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Professor Olver stated, “Back then, the idea of a portrait of a woman in this hall was unimaginable.”
Dr. Olver is a 1958 graduate of Swarthmore College. She holds a Ph.D. from Radcliffe College.


