New Haven

Women's Table

Two images of Maya Lin's "Women's Table." Unveiled in 1993, this subtle and profound sculpture celebrates the long march of women to gain an equal place at Yale's table. The sculpture is a fountain with water flowing out from a source at the center, with a spiraling record of female numbers at Yale by year, from 1702 to 1992; the zeros do not end until 1873, when the art school opened its doors to women. When the decision was made in 1969 to end Yale College's days as a sex segregated old-boy's club, the entire decade had been one of social democratization for Yale. During the 1960s, the quota limiting the number of Jewish students was dropped, and admission standards became less patrician and more meritocratic. Afterwards, somewhat in step with growing female enrollments, the numbers of black and hispanic students also increased.

• Next Photo: Old Campus
• Previous Photo: Law School, right door
• Back to Public Space Index
• Social Life of Cities Home