Elon's Historic Leading Ladies

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I thought we could take time to recognize a few leading ladies of Elon’s past. These women shaped not only the university, but the world around them, breaking barriers for the generations to come. Isabella Cannon and Glenda Hightower are two women whose determination for change made it possible for Elon to grow into the institution that it is today.

Isabella Cannon graduated from Elon in 1924, and was always an avid and active member of the community, but she made history when she was elected mayor of Raleigh in 1977. Her success in the election was quite a feat considering she had never run for office before, however, she proved to be a force to be reckoned with. Her nickname, the “little old lady in tennis shoes,” can be attributed to her hard-working nature and her attire. During her time as mayor, she worked to create a plan to grow and develop the city of Raleigh.

For her contributions to her community, Cannon was elected into the National Women’s Hall

of Fame in 1998, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 1999, Elon’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1983, and the Elon Medallion in 1991. Cannon gifted Elon $1 million to increase study abroad opportunities, aid in international student funds, and create the Leadership Fellows Program. Cannon created a distinguished legacy at the university and around the world, and it continues to inspire young women to leave their mark on the world.

Former Elon student, Glenda Phillips Hightower's accomplishments are just as remarkable as Dr. Cannon's. Elon is a predominately white institution, and has been since its inception, but black students have always found ways to make their impact on campus. Hightower made herself heard by being the first full-time black student of Elon University.

Hightower began her time at Elon in 1963, when the school was still called Elon College, and the integration of schools was met with violence, threats, and protest. However, Hightower was determined to pursue higher education and enrolled herself as a pre-medicine major and the only full-time black student. While on campus, she broke barriers in more than just the classroom, she made waves in her extracurriculars as well by joining the marching band as a clarinetist. As a black woman myself, she inspires me to strive and do my best every day that I am at this university. She made it possible for myself, and so many other black students to pursue educational opportunities that we would not have had otherwise.

Both of these women serve as phenomenal examples of how determination and perseverance can take you far. Never be afraid to challenge the world around you because you just might change it for the better.