MACON, Ga. (WALB) - On December 23, 1836, Georgia chartered the first college in the world to grant degrees to women.

The institution, originally called Georgia Female College, was established in Macon after local businessmen raised $9,000 for a women’s college that would offer coursework similar to that offered to men.

Unlike other female institutions at the time, Georgia Female College students would receive the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree when they completed their coursework.

The Methodist conference agreed to adopt the school in 1843, renaming it Wesleyan Female College in honor of John Wesley. The school opened in January 1839 and had its first graduating class 18 months later.

The institution is now known as Wesleyan College.

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