They say that to do something right, you have to take your time. And for one woman, it was a wait well worth the 83 years; after all, she did it for love. When World War II changed the course of her life, 105-year-old Virginia “Ginger” Hislop left Stanford University, hoping to be able to finish her degree one day. She’s now proving it’s never too late to get an education.
Hislop’s academic journey began in 1936 at Stanford, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in education, graduating in 1940. She immediately started working toward her master’s degree, hoping to become a teacher one day. However, World War II interrupted her plans.
Her then-boyfriend, George Hislop, was called up to serve, prompting a swift marriage for the pair, and Hislop leaving college. “I thought it was one of the things I could pick up along the way if I needed it and I always enjoyed studying, so that wasn’t really a great concern to me — and getting married was,” she said.
Virginia Hislop accepts her master of arts in education degree from Stanford. Photo by Charles Russo/Today
Back in 1941, societal expectations often derailed women’s professional goals once they married. For Hislop, this meant abandoning her nearly completed master’s degree. Moving to an Army outpost at Fort Sill, OK., with George further delayed her ability to go back and finish her degree. Originally hoping to be a lawyer like her father, Hislop was steered toward teaching, inspired by her grandmother and aunt who were both educators. They instilled in her a sense of duty to her community, she said.
Even without her master’s degree, Hislop’s impact on education was profound. It’s important to note that many school systems at the time would not hire married women, a practice not fully abolished until the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These restrictions, however, propelled Hislop into a role where she could advocate for broader educational opportunities. When her daughter Anne was pushed towards home economics, Hislop’s firm stance led to her joining the school board, where she championed the right of all students to pursue their academic interests.
Virginia Hislop smiles after accepting her master of arts in education degree from Stanford. Photo by Charles Russo/Today
Hislop’s contributions didn’t end with the school board. She played a pivotal role in transforming Yakima Valley College into an independent institution, ensuring it could award degrees beyond the high school level. Her work with various educational and arts organizations further demonstrated her dedication to improving educational opportunities for all.
Recently, her son-in-law Doug Jensen contacted Stanford to revisit Hislop’s unfinished degree. Remarkably, the university had since dropped the master’s thesis requirement, meaning Hislop had already completed all necessary credits. So, on June 16th, she donned a cap and gown, receiving her master of arts in education as the sole member of the class of 1940. The standing ovation from her family and fellow graduates underscored the significance of her achievement.
My goodness. I’ve waited a long time for this,” she remarked.
For Hislop, despite having to wait more than eight decades to get her degree didn’t stop her from pursuing a career in education. “I didn’t return to teaching, but I feel I put my teaching certificate to good use serving in committees and on boards and trying to improve the educational opportunities every chance I got.”
Even now, Hislop remains an active community member and lifelong learner, continuing to inspire those around her. Her son-in-law summed up the mark Hislop has had on her family and the others around her. “The biggest lesson I’ve taken from her is that you never really stop learning. She’s a voracious reader, and at 105 she’s still actively moving and shaking. No moss grows under her feet.”
Sources: My Modern Met | Today
