A look at Women's experience at The University of Southern Mississippi in the 1960s and 1980s through the lens of the Student Printz

Like many other universities in the South, Homecoming is an integral part of the fall football season. In the week leading up to the homecoming game, there are activities and traditions throughout the week. One of the most important parts of the tradition is the election of the school's homecoming court. A Homecoming Queen is elected by the student body each year to head up the court.

In 1963, Eva Sipes was elected Homecoming Queen. The October 4, 1963, edition of the Student Printz focuses on this woman. By looking into the lens of Eva Sipes' election, the everyday life of women students at this university becomes clear.

"PRINTZESS OF THE WEEK-Something fishy is going on! When a lovely like Barbara Crain, Horse Cave, Ky., sophomore has to fish alone, it's a bad day at USM. This pretty English shouldn't have to fish very long before she catches something-boys' eyes."

The description of Barbara Crain's day includes an unusual activity of fishing. By implying that she will 'catch something-boys' eyes', indicates that she will be searching for a date, rather than an English degree. This is just an example of commentary about women that had not changed since the 1950s.

"SHE NATURALLY LOVES FOOTBALL AND WE THINK SHE'S A MARVELOUS EXAMPLE OF "SOUTHERN" BEAUTY!"

This section also highlights the Southern culture of women during this time. Football is a national sport, but there is no way to know if Eva liked it. She would not have been allowed to play football as a woman for the university or even for a national team. Yet her loving football certainly helped her profile in this piece.

In this photo, you can see the fashions of the day on display. Eva is dressed in the most popular styles of the day. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy popularized the hairstyle and the boatneck collar. By this time, televisions were popular and fashion movements easily swept the nation. Even as a college student, Eva kept up with the times.

"EVA IS ALWAYS ON THE GO: DEAN'S LIST SCHOLAR, ROTC SPONSOR, SORORITY OFFICER, SENATOR SGA, AND SO MUCH MORE...STILL SHE FINDS TIME TO WORK!"

Eva is an involved student on campus, and busy with her studies. Yet, she still finds time to work. It would have been unusual for a woman to work in the 1960s, unless it was in a stereotypical role, like a secretary for example. Eva worked in a department store.

The Student Printz is a student-run organization. Over the years, it grew to be a larger issue. It began to focus on political movements rather than just school news items.

By 1984, the United States had changed significantly. However, historians have argued about whether or not women's role in society has evolved or not.

In this image, societal changes are easy to spot. Women are wearing jeans, and T-shirts on an ordinary day. A protest is happening, in which women are participating. In 1963, that would have been considered taboo. On a post-integration college campus, African-American female students are also protesting with them. Women's role in society has progressed by this point.

On the next page, you can see these changes are even more present. The styles of the 1960s have been exchanged for shoulder pads and dropped waist sweaters. In 1984, there is an African American female student on the Homecoming Court which was a big step forward for the University of Southern Mississippi.

Even in 1984, Homecoming Week was still a big event. Angela Fokakis was elected Homecoming Queen. There are many similarities between her and Evan Sipes. Both are involved on campus, and officers in their respective sororities. But, the question is has culture at this university begun to change how women were viewed?

"I'D LOVE TO TEACH ELEMENTARY KIDS AND WORK WITH CHILDREN. "

Angela was also an involved student on campus. Her major was education, and wanted to teach elementary kids. This is not a far jump from the 1960s, when i was common for women to be focused on education. Angela continued to fit the conformites of a Homecoming Queen, which were the same that Eva Sipes faced in 1963.

CONCLUSION

While there were many changes to the imagery of women in the 80s, fundamentally women were still in similar roles. Women had progressed a little, but as a whole were still considered to be in the same roles.