Mary Rippon’s pioneering spirit and remarkable achievements continue to inspire generations at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. As the first female professor at the institution, her legacy is deeply intertwined with the rich history and culture of this renowned academic community. Mary Rippon’s impactful contributions not only broke barriers but also paved the way for future generations of women at the University of Colorado. Early Life and Academic Career Mary Rippon was born in 1850 in Illinois. In 1878, she made history by becoming the first female professor at... Read More

Revealing Our Routes: Women of Boulder County was originally developed by the Women of the West Museum back in 2002. Now the exhibit is now hosted by Boulder History Museum’s site. There are dozens of dynamic ladies documented in this collection, and today we’ve brought you a few of our favorites. Ruth Cave Flowers (1903-1980) was a native Boulderite who graduated from Boulder high in 1920. Because she was African-American they refused to award her a diploma featuring her catchy name. Despite her lack of diploma, CU accepted Ruth Flowers as a student. She earned a doctorate in Romance... Read More

Most people know the name “Mary Rippon” from the spectacular outdoor theater where the Colorado Shakespeare Festival performs the works of William Shakespeare every summer. But did you know that Mary Rippon was actually the first female professor at CU Boulder? She taught German there between 1878 and 1909, making her not only the first female professor at CU, but one of the first educators to work there as well there as well. Although born in Illinois, Rippon was offered a teaching position in Boulder after she graduated from university herself. Eager to explore the West and its fascinating... Read More