Women come to MI

At the second meeting of the Executive Board Committee, the founders opened the Mechanics Institute to women students with this statement: "It is recommended to offer opportunities for the instructing of women in the drawing classes, at such time as they may find expedient." Executive Board Minutes, Nov, 9, 1885. The first night class attracted over 400 students, close to half of them women. This ratio continued for the first few years, with women filling the freehand drawing and design courses.