Women in the Early Years of the American Economic Association

Abstract

We use the archives of the American Economic Association to examine the participation of women in the association from its foundation in 1885 to the Great Depression. Women participated actively in the formation of the association, contributed several monographs to its early publications, and won some of its early essay competitions. We find that the membership drives of 1900–1902 (aimed at academics and businessmen) and of 1909–13 (aimed at lawyers, bankers, and businessmen) neglected women interested in social causes and home economics as potential members. Together with the abolition of local branches, these first two membership drives diluted the role of women in the association. In contrast, the membership drive of 1922–26 reflected a growing interest in graduate students and young instructors that somewhat increased the proportion of women among members.

Jessica Peixotto, a home economist not thrilled by the thrift culture

“…Professor in the singular is gendered masculine in the rest of the article as in Peixotto's study, reflecting a social reality of the time. It should be pointed out, however, that Peixotto was not the only female professor; many others held university positions and were active in academic associations, including economic ones(May and Dimand 2019).3 Her thesis is entitled "The French Revolution and Modern French Socialism: A Comparative Study of the Principles of the French Revolution and the Doctrines of Modern French Socialism" (1901).…”