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Former OWHE Director Emily Taylor Dies at Age 89

May 4, 2004 11:42 AM

Emily Taylor

Emily Taylor, a longtime champion of women's causes and a former director of the Office of Women in Higher Education (OWHE) at the American Council on Education (ACE), died May 1 at the age of 89.

Taylor served as director of the OWHE from 1975 to 1981. During her tenure, OWHE published the first “Table of Women CEO’s in U.S. Colleges and Universities” and received a $195,000 grant from The Carnegie Corporation of New York to start the ACE/National Identification Program for the Advancement of Women in Higher Education Administration (ACE/NIP).

Known today as the ACE Network and operating in all 50 states, ACE/NIP was established to increase the number of women in higher education administration, especially presidencies. California, New York, and Florida became the first states to participate in the program, which grew to include the 12 largest states. Taylor also organized the first National Forum, which became the primary means of identifying and enhancing careers of women ready for presidencies. Over the years, hundreds of women from that program have gone on to become presidents or chancellors of U.S. colleges and universities or to serve in high administrative posts.

“Emily Taylor was a champion of women in higher education throughout her career and a pioneer in helping women develop the leadership skills necessary to succeed in higher education,” said Claire Van Ummersen, ACE vice president and director of OWHE. “Her advice and counsel will be greatly missed.”

Prior to joining ACE, Taylor served as dean of women at the University of Kansas from 1956 to 1975. She established what now is known as the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center for students of both sexes. She also founded the nation's first university student commission on the status of women, which still exists.

She also served on the Kansas Governor's Commission on the Status of Women from 1969 to 1975 and was appointed to the Maryland Commission on the Status of Women in 1975. She was president of the National Association of Commissions for Women from 1975 to 1977.

"Emily Taylor's conviction, drive and enthusiasm for the cause of equal rights among women and minorities left an incredible legacy at KU and the nation," Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway told the Associated Press Saturday. "At a time when the opportunities for women were very limited, Emily fought to give them the same opportunities, both academic and professionally, as the men."

Among Taylor's many honors were induction to the Kansas Women's Hall of Fame, Kansas' Distinguished Service Citation, the Leadership Lawrence Don Volker Award, the Kiwanis Substantial Citizen Award, Kansan of Achievement for Civil Rights, induction to the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame, induction to the Urbana University Hall of Distinction and induction to the Ohio Independent colleges Foundation Hall of Excellence.

Taylor was born Mary Emily Taylor on April 13, 1915, in Columbia, AL. She graduated from DeGraff (Ohio) High School and earned an associate degree from Urbana Junior College, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ohio State University and a doctorate from the Indiana University.

A memorial service will be held May 16 at the Leeds Center in Lawrence, KS. Donations can be sent to the Taylor/Stockstead Women’s Leadership Lectures Series, c/o University of Kansas Endowment, Lawrence, KS 66047.