Sarah McGehee Isom

Sarah McGehee Isom (1854 – April 29, 1905) was an American orator, and the first female faculty member at the University of Mississippi, where she taught oratory for twenty years.

[2] Isom attended Augusta Seminary in Virginia, and pursued further studies at the National School of Elocution and Oratory, Philadelphia, and in Boston.

[8][9] In her lifetime, a fellow Southern academic noted, "No one has contributed more to the growth of elocution in the South than Miss Isom.

"[10] Isom also owned property in Victor Heights, Los Angeles, California, which was subject to a legal dispute over oil rights.

[3] In 1981, the University of Mississippi established the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies, named in her memory.