For the last 50 years it had been widely accepted that the University of Virginia went coed voluntarily in 1970, the last public university in the country to do so (other than the military academies)—that an ACLU lawsuit from the time was simply a bit of late-to-the-dance grandstanding. “Not Without A Fight,” editor Richard Gard’s enterprise piece on the events, debunks that myth, correcting the record in a story that anchored our special issue marking the anniversary of women at UVA.
Through his investigative efforts, Gard was able to show that, but for that lawsuit and contrary to accepted history, UVA never had any intention of allowing full coeducation. The story represents an important righting of the historical record.
The depth of reporting made for a compelling narrative, a legal drama that culminates in scenes of courtroom theater. The narrative also provided important analytical context. The story explains the state of gender discrimination law at the time in a section where a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg makes a cameo appearance.
In short, the story reflects original and groundbreaking reporting, corrects history, provides important context, and takes the reader on as wild a ride as the law will allow.
From the Judges
Excellent research and expositional writing. Tight prose, narrative, and good editing to keep it clean and flowing.
