From the moment the University of Illinois was founded in 1867, women have advocated for a seat at the table. In 1870, the Board of Trustees voted to admit women to the University. Since then, women at U of I have accomplished great things. In celebration of the sesquicentennial of the Gender Equity Council has developed this website to showcase over 150 women and women’s organizations from the University’s past who have made significant achievements during their time at the University either as students, staff, faculty, or alumni. This website is in no way is an exhaustive representation of the many women who have made extraordinary contributions to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The women and organizations featured on the website were gathered via nominations as well as consultation with experts and resources on the history of the University.

For more information about the website, please contact Cindy Ingold, Gender Studies and Multicultural Services Librarian. The content for the website was curated by Leanna Barcelona, a 2017 graduate from the School of Information Sciences. Images courtesy of the Student Life and Culture Archives.

Please click the dates below each image (or their hidden name) to uncover more extraordinary women.