In the fall of 1918, 24 women were admitted as undergraduate students at William & Mary. The women of 1918 began at once to change the university. Excluded at first from participating in most existing activities, the women initiated intramural athletic competitions and organized a Women's Student Government. They were not afraid to be "the first" or to advocate for themselves. Today, women represent 58% of our students. William & Mary women also include professors, deans, coaches, award-winning scientists, playwrights, poets, entrepreneurs, community leaders and more.