The joint exhibition of the University Library and the “University Archives” Department is dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the admission of the first female students to Sofia University.
The exhibition includes archival documents, stored in the University Archives, and publications from the University Library’s collection, presenting the first female students enrolled, the first female assistants appointed, the first female lecturers, the first female foreign lecturer, the first woman to defend a doctoral dissertation, the first women to become habilitated lecturers – associate professors and professors, and the first women to hold positions of leadership: deputy dean, dean, and deputy rector.
The display cases contain ledgers, registers, student records, medical records, certificates, diplomas, and other documents from the University Archive`s collection. Among them are documents and scientific publications by Teodora Raikova-Kovacheva, Zhivka Dragneva, Zhana Nikolova-Gulabova, Zhang Sun-Feng-Kaneti, Mercia MacDermott, Dr. Vera Zlatareva, Assoc. Prof. Elizabeta Karamihailova, Prof. Tsvetana Romanska, Prof. Rada Balevska, Prof. Slava Stefanova, Assoc. Prof. Mihailina Mihaylova, Prof. Milena Tsaneva, Acad. Raina Georgieva and other female lecturers who paved the way for the recognition and equality of women within the academic community.
The highlights of the exhibition are intriguing documents and books with dedicatory inscriptions, which are being displayed for the first time, some of them from over a century ago. The preserved memory for the individuals, who overcame the limitations and prejudices specific to their time, in the process of their academic development, is a valuable contribution to the story of women’s presence in the history of Sofia University, which is yet to be fully told.
The exhibition is part of the project “The Invisible University” and Social Transformations, “Scientific Research” Fund, “Competition for Funding Fundamental Scientific Research – 2024” No. KP-06-PN85/13 from 05.12.2024.
The exhibition can be visited until March 20th during the working hours of the Central University Library.