Women's History Month

In the 1840s, Tabitha Brown crossed the Oregon Trail, eventually making her home in what would become Forest Grove. In her new community, she saw a great need: Children left orphaned or abandoned along the trail or by the California gold rush She dreamed of creating a home and a school, “to receive all the children, rich and poor.” That dream became the Orphan Asylum, then Tualatin Academy, and eventually Pacific University.

For more than 175 years, Pacific University has lived Tabitha Brown’s vision, providing care and education to uplift those who uphold others.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate the leadership of our founder and the many women of Pacific who have been caregivers, educators, innovators and changemakers. These are just some of their stories.