The February Sisters

The building was occupied by the February Sisters on February 4, 1972. 

February Sisters' "Statement of Action" that listed their non-negotiable demnds.

Christine Leonard speaks at a press conferenec about the proposed child care center and the possible places in which to house the center.

Statements from women faculty in support of the February Sisters and their demands.

Hilltop Day Care Center, 1970s. A day care center was one of the non-negotiable demands of the February Sisters.

On February 4^th, 1972 twenty women and four of their children occupied the East Asian Studies building at 1332 Louisiana St. They peacefully and successfully protested against gender inequality on the KU campus. The protest united generations and feminist groups, bringing students and staff together to force institutional change at KU. The Sisters represented the fulfillment of the feminist agenda that Taylor and earlier Deans of Women had long been struggling to achieve.

Early the following morning, the Sisters left the building having accomplished their actions as “non-violent, non-destructive and carried out with the specific intention of showing our strength and solidarity, and of drawing public attention to our pressing needs.” As a direct result of the protest several demands were realized over the following years:

• Hilltop Day Care Center was established, 1972
• Women’s Studies program and major developed, 1972
• Student Health Services started providing birth control pills and gynecological services, 1972
• Marilyn Stokstad hired as first female associate dean in the College, 1972
• Women's Studies program became an offical department, 1977
• Frances Horowitz named vice chancellor for research and graduate studies, 1978
• Deanell Tacha named vice chancellor for academic affairs, 1981