Title	1923: Maria Whitson
Description	This image is a photograph used in the book Auburn, a Pictorial History of the Loveliest Village by Mickey Logue and Jack Simms, 3rd edition, 2013, depicting the history of the city and the university. From page 141: Maria Whitson became Auburn's first female engineering graduate in 1923--in electrical engineering--Dimensions says, though another source suggests that Esther Thompson, a chemistry-metallurgy grad, graduated in chemical engineering in 1918. Miss Whitson was already a graduate of Randolph Macon Colldge when she entered API in 1921. She also was the first president of the Women's Student Government Association at Auburn.... After graduating from Auburn, she taught auto mechanics, electronics, sheet metal work, and embalming at Talladega Vocational School. In 1943, she became an assistant supervisor for war production training of women as riveters, welders, and mechanics. To further aid in the war effort, she joined the Navy in 1944. She later taught at Talladega High School. Photo source: Glomerata, Auburn University Archives.
Date	ca. 1923
Place	Auburn – Lee County – Alabama
LC Subject Headings	Auburn (Ala.) Auburn University Auburn University -- History Auburn University -- Students Women college students -- Alabama College students -- Alabama Engineering students -- Alabama Women engineering students -- Alabama
EOA Categories	Education -- Higher Education History -- 1875-1929: The New South Era
Original Medium	black and white photograph, 677 x 1311 pixels
Type	Image
Format	JPEG
File Name	AUH208b.tif
Citation	Logue, Mickey and Simms, Jack. Auburn, A Pictorial History of the Loveliest Village. 3rd edition. 2013.
Repository	Auburn University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Digital Publisher	Auburn University Libraries
Language	eng
Rights	This image is the property of the Auburn University Libraries and is intended for non-commercial use. Users of the image are asked to acknowledge the Auburn University Libraries. For information about obtaining high-resolution copies of this and other images in this collection, please contact the Auburn University Libraries Special Collections & Archives Department at achives@auburn.edu or (334) 844-1732.
Submitted by	Coates, Midge