Renovated in 2001, the Mary Low residence hall provides a home for students and serves as a hub for community engagement and connection. Housing the Mary Low Coffee House, a vibrant venue for concerts, international coffee hours, and informal gatherings, this dormitory embodies the spirit of inclusivity and collaboration that defines the Colby experience.
The significance of Mary Low extends far beyond its role as a residence hall. Named after Mary Low, the first female graduate of Colby College, this building pays homage to a pioneering figure who redefined the role of women not only at Colby but academia across the nation.
Mary Low’s journey at Colby began in an era when women’s access to higher education was severely limited. Arriving at Colby in the 1870s, she was initially the sole female student on campus until joined by four other women, including her close friend Louise Helen Coburn (the woman after whom the Coburn residence hall was named). Together, they forged a path for future generations of women, challenging the norms of their time and advocating for gender equality.
Throughout her time at Colby, Mary Low distinguished herself as a leader and advocate for co-education. In 1874, she co-founded the Sigma Kappa Sorority, leaving an enduring legacy of sisterhood and solidarity. Mary Low’s commitment to academic excellence was further recognized when she became the first woman to be invited to join the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
Mary Low’s impact extended beyond the confines of campus. In 1890, when the president of Colby proposed segregating men and women into separate classes, Mary Low, alongside Louise Coburn and other alumni, boldly protested this decision. Despite their efforts, the division was implemented, marking a setback for coeducation at Colby. It would take nearly eight decades before the college fully embraced coeducation once again in 1969.
After graduating from Colby, Mary Low married Leonard D. Carver, a fellow Colby graduate who later served as the Maine State Librarian. Despite the challenges faced by women in the workforce during her time, Mary pursued a career as a librarian, working as a cataloger at the Maine State Library for many years.
Mary Low’s advocacy continues to inspire generations of students at Colby and beyond. Her dedication to education, gender equality, and social justice paved the way for progress and transformation. Although she passed away in 1926, her pioneering spirit lives on, embodied in the very halls that bear her name.
In naming the dormitory after Mary Low, Colby College not only acknowledges her remarkable achievements but also reaffirms its commitment to fostering a campus environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Mary Low dormitory stands as a tribute to her enduring legacy and serves as a reminder of the transformative power of education and activism.
The presence of the Mary Low Coffee House within the dorm fosters Mary Low’s legacy as a place of gathering, collaboration, and celebration. Serving as a forum for social events, the coffee house embodies Mary Low’s spirit of community and connection. It is a space where students from all backgrounds can come together to share ideas, build friendships, and cultivate a sense of belonging.
As we celebrate “Take Back the Night,” where students at the College gather together to show support for victims of sexual violence, let us honor the legacy of Mary Low and all those who have tirelessly championed the cause of coeducation and equality to strive for a more just and equitable world. May her name grace the halls of Colby College for generations to come, serving as a symbol of hope, courage, and progress.
~ Muhammad Saif `27
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