The spelling of the phrase "Seven Sisters" can be a bit confusing based on how it's pronounced. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /ˈsɛvən ˈsɪstərz/. The first syllable, "sev," is pronounced with a short "e" sound followed by a standard "v" sound. The second syllable, "en," uses a short "e" sound as well. The second word, "sisters," has a short "i" sound followed by a "z" sound and finally the "t" sound. The phrase itself refers to a group of seven hills or cliffs.
The term "Seven Sisters" refers to a group of seven prestigious women's liberal arts colleges located in the northeastern United States. These colleges are Barnard College, Bryn Mawr College, Mount Holyoke College, Radcliffe College (now part of Harvard University), Smith College, Vassar College, and Wellesley College.
These institutions earned the name "Seven Sisters" in the late 1920s as a counterpart to the "Ivy League" of men's universities, which consisted of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell, and Pennsylvania. The Seven Sisters colleges have long been recognized for their commitment to providing high-quality education in the arts and sciences to women. They were pioneers in offering women the opportunity to receive a higher education on par with men at a time when most universities were solely for men.
Each of the Seven Sisters colleges has its unique history and strengths, but they share a common focus on academic excellence, women's empowerment, and fostering leadership skills. These schools have produced numerous notable alumnae who have excelled in various fields, including politics, academia, business, and the arts.
Over the years, the Seven Sisters colleges have continued to evolve and adapt to changing educational priorities and societal needs. While some have transitioned to coeducational institutions or partnered with other universities, the legacy and impact of the Seven Sisters colleges on women's education remains significant. The term "Seven Sisters" has become synonymous with a tradition of educational achievement, women's empowerment, and breaking barriers in higher education.
The term "Seven Sisters" originated from Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, the Pleiades were a group of seven sisters who were the daughters of the titan Atlas and the Oceanid Pleione. According to the myth, the sisters were turned into stars by Zeus to protect them from Orion, a giant hunter who was pursuing them. These stars became known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. The name "Seven Sisters" has since been associated with numerous other celestial and non-celestial objects, including a star cluster, mountains, colleges, and more.