Irene Williams Coit

Irene Williams Coit (September 24, 1872 – August 2, 1945) won a reputation by being the first woman passing the Yale College entrance examination in 1891, an event that was instrumental to the cause of co-education in American colleges.

Early life Irene Williams Coit was born in Norwich, Connecticut, United States, on September 24, 1872. She was the only daughter of General James Bolles Coit (1836-1894), a distinguished soldier in the Civil War. During the administration of President Cleveland he was chief of a pension bureau in Washington. Her mother, Anne Willoughby (1849-1914), was the daughter of A. P. Willoughby, representing one of the oldest families in Norwich.

Career

Besides her aptitude as a student, Coit manifested a marked literary capacity. Her first essay in the field of letters was especially successful. Since the summer of 1891 she contributed to various newspapers and publications a variety of articles.

In 1893, she moved to Geneva to teach in the DeLancey Private School where she was employed for two years until her marriage.