When Spelman College opened in 1881 with 10 women, some of whom were former slaves, and one girl, as students, the mission was simple: Teach them to read and write. Now Spelman is a highly selective institution, widely considered one of the nation's best liberal arts colleges. In the heart of Atlanta University Center, Spelman sits comfortably on an endowment of more than $215 million.

More than 2,000 women each looking to make her place in the world -- like esteemed alumnae Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund, and Director General of the United States Foreign Service, Ruth A. Davis -- now call Spelman home.

About 35 percent of Spelman's students major in the natural sciences, an impressive figure when compared to that of women at coeducational institutions. One of only two all-female historically black colleges in the country, Spelman has created an atmosphere of female empowerment, where students are taught there are no limits.

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