The early women college students were pioneers. They had a difficult time obtaining an opportunity for a college education, because college was not thought to be necessary for the women of the 19th century. By overcoming many obstacles, these early college graduates were able to reap the rewards of an intellectually stimulating career. This study of women's struggle for equal education: (1) outlines the historical background of women's education in the United States; (2) provides a chronology of educational opportunities; (3) profiles early women college students; (4) delineates the objectives of early women college educators; and (5) discusses the careers of college graduates. Female seminaries were the earliest opportunities for formal education. In 1839, the Georgia Female College opened in Macon, Georgia as the first college for women to award the bachelor's degree. With the opening of this school, opportunities for women continued to grow. The women who were founders of colleges and the professors in early women's colleges provided the necessary role models and encouragement for women college students. Highly motivated pioneer women college students completed their college education and attained greater accomplishments. Today's college educators should know that pioneer college students from different ethnic groups are struggling for a college education and need the same kind of encouragement that early women pioneers had. Four pages of references are included. (SM)