This volume provides a fresh lens for viewing single-sex colleges by examining a different setting - a non-elite women's college in the Midwest. This is the story of how a group of undergraduate women experienced and coped with the contradictions of gender traditionalism, careerism, and community that formed the context in which they received their college education. Includes an in-depth look at the differences between sorority members and independent women, testing historical and contemporary beliefs.

Traditionalism and emancipation : socialization at CWC -- Traditionalism and emancipation : sororities at CWC -- Careerism and academic traditions -- Careerism versus the collegiate life -- Community : connections and defections at CWC -- Lessons from Central Women's College