Susan Margaret Claydon. a cheerful young woman who grew up in suburban New Rochelle, N.Y., is a scholar specializing in 17th century English. She is also a Roman Catholic teaching sister, member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. A vigorous teacher with a sharp eye for the world's ways, Sister Margaret this summer was named head of Washington, D.C.'s Trinity College (enrollment: 646), her own alma mater ('45). Last week, in her new role as one of the nation's youngest college presidents, Sister Margaret, 36, called a press conference and let fly with some cogent thoughts on the education of U.S. women:
"The mark of an educated woman is her use of leisure. Reading a book of the month or seeing the latest play aren't enough. Educated women must have definite views and standards. They must know the good from the bad, and be able to say why. A woman must not only know facts—she must have ideas about them. There is a definite need for intellectuals in this country today. The modern world needs more people—including girls—who think for themselves." All down the line, urged Sister Margaret, education for U.S. women should be stiffened. More women should go on to graduate school, be fitted for "a better contribution to American life." Said she of classical-bent Trinity, which sends half its girls to graduate school: "We're not in the business of training committee women or bridge players."