Expanding Women's Roles in Society
"He was a leader and ardent about women being equal to men and about them having the same career and educational opportunities." (Frances Menlove, 2013)
"Women seldom venture into the field of medicine, but that's absolutely no reason, says Miss Florence Greaves, for letting men 'hog the field'."
(Joseph Greaves' daughter quoted in undated
newspaper article, circa 1931) |
Although it is now accepted that women should have equal opportunities as men, this was not the case in the 1930's. After his daughter was declined a spot at the University of Utah Medical School, Dr. Greaves personally visited the medical school dean.
"The way I remember the story was that Florence [Joseph's daughter] was applying to Medical School at the University of Utah. She received some kind of a letter that was either a direct turn down or in essence said that women were not needed or wanted in the Med School. Daddy Joe in a huff went to the University (in Logan) put a sign on his door that said "No Classes Today" and drove to Salt Lake. He went to the University and asked to see the Dean. When he was told he didn't have an appointment and he would have to wait, he said he would wait. (He told them who he was, of course). Finally, after cooling his heels in the waiting room for a couple of hours, he got his audience. He asked the Dean if he had any daughters. "Yes," the Dean answered. "Do you think they are smart enough to make it in medical school?", Daddy Joe asked. "Yes," replied the Dean. "Well," said Daddy Joe, "so can mine." Florence was admitted to the University of Utah Medical School." (Frances Menlove, Interview) All six of Joseph Greaves' daughters earned college degrees and three of them became medical doctors. |