Female Faculty in the Department of Philosophy

During the early decades of the 20th century, women at Marquette made significant advancements in entering the male-dominated world of Jesuit higher education. However, the heart of Jesuit education — the liberal arts — remained the domain of men. Many university administrators believed the liberal arts, especially philosophy, should only be taught by clergy or male professors. Marquette President Raphael McCarthy, S.J., confirmed this long-standing practice when in 1938 he expressly prohibited women faculty from joining the Philosophy Department.

Zedler and Kendzierski became two of the most distinguished faculty members at Marquette.

Eight years later, the chair of the Philosophy Department, Rev. Gerard Smith, S.J., challenged this precedent when he advocated the hiring of two female faculty members, Beatrice Zedler and Lottie Kendzierski. Father Smith had encouraged both women to study philosophy and mentored them during their time as undergraduate and graduate students at Marquette. After they earned doctoral degrees from Fordham University, Father Smith hired Zedler and Kendzierski as philosophy instructors. Although the decision to hire women in the Philosophy Department was unusual, the university faced a larger predicament when it came time to grant the women tenure and make them permanent members of the faculty. Father Smith ardently supported the promotion of these “first-rate scholars” and “excellent teachers.” In 1950, Marquette President Edward J. O’Donnell, S.J., acquiesced and acknowledged that Zedler and Kendzierski should receive tenure.

Zedler and Kendzierski became two of the most distinguished faculty members at Marquette. Zedler received the Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence and was honored as the Women’s Chair of Humanistic Studies. During their long and productive careers, Zedler and Kendzierski advanced female scholarship and contributed to the vitality of the Philosophy Department.

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