UC's First Ladies

Elsie Walters was married to UC's 20th president, Dr. Raymond Walters. Elsie enjoyed hosting tea parties for various women's groups on campus. Often she held these tea parties in the president's private residence. She was also involved with the women's university club, a women's card club, a book circle and assisted with various fundraisers.

Perhaps the most notable thing about Elsie was her nickname. President Walters called her "Bobolink" after a type of songbird. He adored his wife and the affection he had for her is documented in his detailed diaries, which were donated to UC's Archives and Rare Books Library.

Not only was she admired by her husband, but the students loved her as well. Upon President Walters' retirement, the couple was presented with a leather-bound signature book signed by nearly 6,000 students to show their appreciation of "her advice and counsel as UC's first lady and the influence for good she exerted over the entire university."

Julia Langsam was known to enjoy meeting students and attending their events. In fact, she and her husband, Dr. Walter Langsam, 21st president of UC, loved dancing and eagerly volunteered to chaperone dances at the university. They also created a tradition called "The Senior Supper," in which all seniors were invited to have dinner at the Langsam's residence at some time during their senior year. Julia estimated that she served dinner to 1,600 seniors each year.

Julia is most remembered for leveraging her position in order to make a difference in the Cincinnati community. Julia's civic work began during WWII when she served as the first captain of the Red Cross Nurse's Aid Corps in Schenectady, NY. After she became first lady of UC, she continued in a multitude of civil leadership roles. In fact, her husband described her as a "woman who rarely said no to a good cause."

Julia was a trustee to the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History, she chaired the Cincinnati United Fine Arts Fund and served on the UC YMCA board to name a few.

Her biggest contribution was with the Roebling Suspension Bridge. In 1982, Julia was president of the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee. The committee was originally formed to display American flags along the bridge, but Julia raised money so that a lighting system could be installed as well. Upon her death, the lighting system was aptly named the "Julia Langsam Lights," in her honor.

Clurie Bennis was the wife of Dr. Warren Bennis, 22nd president of UC. She was passionate about bringing people together who did not know each other but she felt ought to. She often created occasions for the sole purpose of introducing certain guests to one another. She thought it was very important to welcome people who were new to the university and the city. She often planned breakfasts at her house for new faculty and their families to meet one another.

Clurie had a great amount of patience of young children and would prepare special activities to keep the young one happily occupied while the adults got to know one another. Clurie even went so far as to plan tours of the city so that newcomers could become familiar with the geography and culture of Cincinnati.

Her inclusiveness and kindness toward others did not go unnoticed. In her obituary, it was written, "Clurie was known for planting the seeds of love in hidden gestures - offering a ride, a meal, a home in order to support others and bring beauty to the world."

The role of first lady may have best been described by Beatrice Winkler, wife of 23rd president, Dr. Henry Winkler. Bea wrote an essay on building a university community in the book, "The President's Spouse." She wrote that first ladies are "expected to become a recognized leader in the community and still remain in the background as a decorative first lady."

Bea was certainly not successful in remaining in the background. In fact, she made an impact on the university and the community in many ways. Bea was a fiesty supporter of women. Bea was active in the Faculty Wives Club and in the Friends of Women's Studies group. She helped this group grow by hosting teas at the president's house for representatives of all women's organizations in the community.

One of her largest contributions to women at the university was helping to establish an infant day care center on campus. She hosted a baby shower on the president's garden lawn where people were invited to donate items needed to stock the new day care.

Bea is also known for her contributions to the Judaic Studies department, Friends of Judaic Studies and the Jewish community in Cincinnati.

In an interview for The News Record, during her early years as first lady, Carol talked about her role as spouse of Dr. Joseph Steger, 24th president of UC. She said, "It's two people working together, the role of a president's spouse is to work in a team effort." Not only did she feel it was important to support her husband with university responsibilities but she also felt it was crucial to help him maintain a balance between work and home life. 

Carol worked well as part of this team, but she also had responsibilities and successes of her own. She was officially employed by the university foundation as their director of donor relations. As first lady, Carol developed and executed a UC Presidential Ball that raised nearly $1 million for student scholarships over a span of 16 years.

Carol still continues to be involved with the university through the woman's club where she helps interview potential scholarship recipients, among other things. She has been very proud to watch her children and more recently her grandchildren graduate from UC.

The 25th president of UC, Dr. Nancy Zimpher, was our first woman president! And as such, her husband, Kenneth Howey was the first spouse. During his wife's presidency, Kenneth served as a research professor in the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services. He collaborated with President Zimpher and other colleagues on various scholarly works in teacher education, among other things.

Sarah Williams, wife of 27th president, Gregory Williams, was a great supporter of her husband's initiatives. She was also involved with the Woman's Club of the University of Cincinnati, various alumni programs and was very supportive of the Gen1 program.

While she enjoyed attending all types of athletic events, women's basketball was a favorite of hers.

Wendy Yip, wife of Dr. Santa Ono, 28th president of UC, used her position to increase awareness of the Asian American community in Cincinnati. She worked to encourage and connect a loose network of Asian American organizations, including the UC chapter of the Society of Asian American professors (SoCaps). Wendy felt that it was important to keep people abreast of Asian American activities and of issues arising from the immigrant experience in Cincinnati.

Wendy also enjoyed mentoring students in both student government and Greek life. In fact, she was the honorary house mother to UC's chapter of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. She was also a mentor for the Delta Phi Lambda sorority.

Outside of UC, Wendy was involved in the Seven Hills Neighborhood House, a community center in the West end of Cincinnati.