Anne Dudley Blitz (January 27, 1881 – February 18, 1951) was an American college administrator. She was the first

Dean of Women The dean of women at a college or university in the United States is the dean with responsibility for student affairs for female students. In early years, the position was also known by other names, including preceptress, lady principal, and adviser ...

at the

University of Kansas The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas, United States, and several satellite campuses, research and educational centers, medical centers, and classes across the state of Kansas. Tw ...

from 1921 to 1923, and Dean of Women at the

University of Minnesota The University of Minnesota, formally the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, (UMN Twin Cities, the U of M, or Minnesota) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Tw ...

from 1923 to 1949.

Early life and education

Anne Dudley Blitz was born in

Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...

, the daughter of Adolph Blitz and Anna Dudley Wickes Blitz. Her father was a German-born eye doctor. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1904. She pursued further studies in the School of Practical Arts at

Teachers College, Columbia University Teachers College, Columbia University (TC), is the graduate school of education, health, and psychology of Columbia University, a private research university in New York City. Founded in 1887, it has served as one of the official faculties and ...

, where she earned a master's degree in 1914, and helped create ''An Outline on the History of Cookery'' (1915), with

Anna Barrows Anna Barrows (1861 – February 11, 1948) was an American educator and author, known for being a pioneering woman in the field of home economics. She contributed to the foundation of the Home Economics Movement through her unique demonstrations, ...

and Bertha Shapleigh. Blitz was a member of

Phi Beta Kappa The Phi Beta Kappa Society () is the oldest academic honor society in the United States, and the most prestigious, due in part to its long history and academic selectivity. Phi Beta Kappa aims to promote and advocate excellence in the liberal a ...

. She and her mother were members of the

Daughters of the American Revolution The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a person involved in the United States' efforts towards independence. A non-profit group, they promote ...

Career

Blitz taught English at a high school in

Boise, Idaho Boise (, , ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho and is the county seat of Ada County. On the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is east of the Oregon border and north of the Nevada border. The downtown are ...

after college. From 1915 to 1919 Blitz was dean of

William Smith College William is a male given name of Germanic languages, Germanic origin.Hanks, Hardcastle and Hodges, ''Oxford Dictionary of First Names'', Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, , p. 276. It became very popular in the English language after the Norm ...

. She was the first Dean of Women at the University of Kansas from 1921 to 1923. She was the Dean of Women the University of Minnesota from 1923 to 1949. She opposed desegregated campus housing at Minnesota, bringing her into conflict college president

Guy Stanton Ford Guy Stanton Ford (May 9, 1873 – December 29, 1962) was the sixth president of the University of Minnesota. Ford had originally come to the University of Minnesota in 1913, serving as the dean of the Graduate School and as a professor of history. H ...

. Blitz was an early leader of the

National Association of Deans of Women The National Association for Women in Education (formerly known as The National Association of Deans of Women, the National Association of Women Deans and Counselors, and the National Association of Women Deans, Administrators, and Counselors) was ...

, and active in the

AAUW The American Association of University Women (AAUW), officially founded in 1881, is a non-profit organization that advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. The organization has a nationwide network of 170,000 ...

. In 1936, she exhibited her handmade jewelry in St. Cloud.

Personal life

Blitz was known for her collection of pets, including the six

Pekingese The Pekingese (also spelled Pekinese) is a breed of toy dog, originating in China. The breed was favored by royalty of the Chinese Imperial court as a companion dog, and its name refers to the city of Peking (Beijing) where the Forbidden City i ...

puppies who often spent the work day in her campus office in 1945. She also collected glassware and furniture. She died two weeks after suffering a heart attack in 1951, in Minneapolis, aged 70 years.

References

External links

"Dean Anne Dudley Blitz and Her Persian Kitten"
Minneapolis Newspaper Photograph Collection, Hennepin County Library {{DEFAULTSORT:Blitz, Anne Dudley 1881 births 1951 deaths Educators from Minneapolis University of Minnesota alumni Hobart and William Smith Colleges faculty University of Kansas faculty University of Minnesota faculty Deans (academic)