Women Graduates of Oberlin College, Class of 1855 Oberlin College, founded by abolitionists in the 1830s, admitted men and women of both races. In the early years, black students were all male, and women students were all white. By 1855 black women had integrated the Ladies’ Department. Each student wears a dark dress with a detachable lace collar. Note the uniform hairstyles, parted down the middle, with well-
Oberlin College Archives.