By Judy Taylor Cramer
Managing Editor, Florida State Times
They had little money, few distractions and no fear.
At a time when "young ladies" at Florida State College for Women
were treated like little girls, and the social graces were as important
as the social sciences, the "Fearless Five" broke the rules, had
some fun and forged friendships that have endured more than half a century.
Now those friendships have resulted in the Fearless Five Endowed Scholarship
for Physical Education in the FSU College of Education.
The Fearless Five - Peggy Barfield Atchison, Dottie Bryant McGahagin, Vicki
Lewis Woodward, Jean Lloyd Berry and the late Jeanne Eyman Smith - became
friends shortly after arriving at FSCW as freshmen in 1940.
"We studied together, roomed together, explored the beautiful campus
and surrounding area together, camped together, broke rules together, borrowed
money and belongings from each other and were generally a daring, lively,
fun-loving group," said McGahagin, the "leader of the pack."
It was war time, but FSCW students were sheltered from those harsh realities.
The 2,500 women on campus were allowed two dates a week and had to be back
in the dorm by 10:30 p.m. They could be expelled for just going to a restaurant
that served beer or alcohol. Blessings were sung before each meal, and proper
church attire included gloves, hose and hats.
Although the students were confined to the campus except for a walk to town
or to Lake Bradford, the five physical education majors created their own
recreational activities, often led by the explorer of the group, Woodward.
"We skated recklessly at night on dark campus streets, tearing madly
around, not knowing when we would meet obstacles such as rocks, cracked
pavement and fallen branches," recalled McGahagin.
"We climbed the pecan trees north of Jennie Murphree and got our share
of the pecan crop ... We learned how to escape after hours to the rooftop
of several dorms to get together with friends. We sneaked up in the dark
to the tower on top of Westcott...
"Our physical education professors had many counseling sessions with
us concerning our behavior. We really tried their patience."
But all five graduated, and together accumulated 111 years of experience
in the field of education.
They became public-school teachers, a principal, the owners of private camps.
"We attribute our success in life to the education we received at FSCW
and also to the lifelong friendships that were formed there," said
McGahagin. "We all have a close understanding of the importance that
a dedicated teacher can make in the lives of her students."
The first Fearless Five Scholarship for $1,500 was presented during Homecoming
last October to Debbie Willis, a senior from Tallahassee. Subsequent scholarships
will be given at the beginning of each fall semester.
To qualify for the Fearless Five scholarship, a student must be:
- a female physical education major in the College of Education;
- a resident of Florida;
- a junior or senior who has attended FSU for one or more years and earned
a GPA of 2.5 or higher;
- in need of financial aid to continue her education;
- committed to teach in Florida schools;
- determined to succeed;
- showing high standards of conduct.
For more information on the scholarship, call Dr. Dewayne Johnson, physical
education department, at 644-7907.