From 1976 to Today and Beyond
Honoring 50 Years of Women’s and Gender Studies at UGA
At the University of Georgia, the Institute for Women’s & Gender Studies is where big ideas meet bold questions.
We’re all about digging into how gender shapes the world around us — from classrooms to communities and beyond. Housed in the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, we team up with departments all across campus to create dynamic, interdisciplinary courses and programs that challenge assumptions and spark change.
To honor the visionary UGA faculty and staff who launched the Institute of Women’s and Gender Studies in 1976, we’re asking for your help to fuel the next generation of changemakers — students tackling issues through scholarship, creative projects, community engagement, and innovative problem-solving. Your gift helps power research fellowships, travel adventures, hands-on learning, dissertation boosts, and awards for both students and faculty. Opportunities are also available for named funds to support specific initiatives and can be devoted to research or programming.
Did you know that a donation of …
- $50 … provides course materials for a deserving student
- $100 … purchases three hardcover books for our book club
- $500 … sends students to conferences to network and present research
- $1,500 … funds a semester-long research project
- $10,000 … provides 4 paid internships — priceless career experience
- $50,000 … creates a $2,000/year scholarship to support service-learning community partnerships
Our History
In 1976, the Honorable Louise McBee, Assistant Vice President of Instruction at UGA, assembled an advisory committee to develop an undergraduate certificate in Women’s Studies. In 1977 the Women’s Studies Program was created with Dr. Maija Blaubergs as the coordinator. The Program continued under Deborah Herman from 1977 until 1983, on a budget allocated by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. During this time, Women’s Studies offered 14 courses, a certificate program, and a lecture and colloquia series.
In 1987 a faculty committee was established to lay the groundwork for a revitalization of the program. As a result, Heather Kleiner was made acting coordinator of the program for ten hours a week (in addition to her job as an advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences). In 1988, five women submitted a proposal to then-president Charles Knapp to revitalize the Women’s Studies Program. It was approved, and Dr. Patricia Del Rey was named director with Heather Kleiner becoming the associate director. Patricia Thruston received the first Women’s Studies Certificate in 1989.
The 20-hour minor was offered in fall 1991, and the graduate certificate was implemented in early 1992. The first two graduate certificates were conferred in winter 1992 to Elizabeth Tisdell and Trish Shewokis. Joy Beasley became the first undergraduate student to complete a minor in spring 1993. The Women’s Studies Program continued to grow in numbers of courses, faculty, and students throughout the 1990s. By the summer of 2000, 116 undergraduate certificates, 10 minors, 4 Interdisciplinary Studies major degrees, and 51 graduate certificates had been conferred. The A.B. degree in Women’s Studies was approved in 2000. On May 11, 2002, the first students graduated with an A.B. degree in Women’s Studies.
In spring 2004, the Women’s Studies Program gained Institute status and was renamed The Institute for Women’s Studies (IWS). In fall 2024, the Institute changed its name to the Institute for Women’s & Gender Studies (WGS).
Since 2002, over 350 students have graduated with an A.B. degree in Womens’ and Gender Studies, over 300 students have completed the minor in Womens’ and Gender Studies, and over 10,000 students have taken courses in Womens’ and Gender Studies.
Let’s keep the momentum going for the next 50 years (and beyond)!
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