Changing Demographics

In 1943, Portia Law School was still primarily a women’s institution, but the end of World War II changed everything. Veterans taking advantage of the G.I. Bill swelled the school’s ranks, ensuring that male students were now overwhelmingly in the majority.

By the mid-1960s, the school was in the midst of another dramatic transformation. The board had decided to pursue accreditation from the American Bar Association, a significant undertaking involving upgrades to admission standards and the school’s facilities, as well as the hiring of a full-time faculty.

1. 1943: Changing of the guard

2. 1944: Tough times

3. 1949: Male students tip the balance

4. 1952: A woman becomes dean

5. 1958: The school expands

6. 1962: Slade becomes dean

7. 1963: A bold new path

8. 1965: Portia Law Journal launches

9. 1966: Kozuch becomes dean

10. 1968: The board is restructured

    As part of the effort to secure ABA accreditation, the school’s governing structure is reorganized. The corporate board increases from seven members to 11, and alumni will now elect board members. In the past, the board chose the successors of departing members.

    Making changes to the board structure required the approval of Massachusetts Governor John Volpe. Courtesy of the State Library of Massachusetts