Osborn, Ruth Helm

Dr. Ruth Osborn (d. 2009) received her B.S. from the University of Minnesota and an M.A. and Ed.D. from George Washington University. In 1964, she created "Developing New Horizons for Women," a program that became the prototype for women's eduction programs in the 1960s and 1970s. The GW College of General Studies began the program in 1964 with a noncredit orientation class of twenty women. "The purpose of the workshop ... is to assist women to develop their potential: by enabling them to understand themselves as individuals and as women by exploring educational, occupational, and communtiy service opportunities; and by analyzing and solving problems encountered when entering the educational and occupational world."--Operation Update, National Business Woman, October 1965. The focus of the program was mature married woman students, many of whom had bachelors degrees, but had stopped their education and career following their marriages. She directed the Continuing Education Center for Women,1964-1979 and focused her career on making education accessible for married women. Dr. Osborn was an active member of the organization Columbian Women. She retired in 1979, and in 1998, GW honored her with a distinguished alumni award.