Digital Projects/Exhibits/Videos

Women’s Athletics at UW-Madison — history and exhibit from the UW Archives.

The Board of Regents meeting minutes from 1921-1991 have all been digitized as part of the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections and can be searched (ex: “women’s studies program”).

Women and Science: Issues and Resources video was made in 1984 by Julie D’Acci and others. It includes interviews with several UW-Madison professors: Judith Leavitt, Mariamne Whatley, Nancy Worcester, and Ruth Bleier. Neuroscientist Bleier is shown teaching a feminist science unit. In addition, Women’s Studies Librarian Susan E. Searing discusses library resources.

The UW School for Workers began in 1925 as the Summer School for Working Girls. Watch part one and part two of “The Birth of School for Workers” video.

Bread Upon the Waters slide show on women philanthropists in the history of the University of Wisconsin was created by Betty Ferris of UW Libraries Communications in 2001 for the University of Wisconsin Foundation’s 6th Biennial Forum on Women and Philanthropy. Further information about the project is also available.

The challenge of constantly changing times: from home economics to human ecology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison 1903-2003, by Rima Apple, is part of the Home Economics to Human Ecology: A Centennial History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison digital collection, which includes numerous biographies of faculty (mostly women) who taught in the School of Home Economics, along with photographs and information on student experiences in the School.

University Housing named a renovated building for Vel Phillips: news story and background on Vel Phillips and the illustrious other women associated with UW-Madison for whom floors or other areas of the building are named: Kathryn “Kay” Clarenbach, Gerda Lerner, Nellie McKay, Ruth Bleier, and Belle Case La Follette.
Helen Constance White website describes the English professor who is honored on campus by having a building named for her.

For additional digitized material from the UW-Archives, including sample photographs from various activities on campus, visit the digital University of Wisconsin Collection. Click on “Search the Collection,” then type “women” in the subject headings box, or do click on “Search” and then “Browse subject headings” for the term “women” in a sub-collection of UW Archive Images.

The Wisconsin Historical Society has mounted numerous digital collections. Some have relevance for the history of women at the University, including selected photographs of women at the University in the Society’s Wisconsin Historical Images Collection. The photographs highlight classes, organizations, sororities, sports, and other student activities.

WISELI (Women in Science & Engineering Leadership Institute) made a set of 3 videos: Part 1: History and Beginnings of WISELI: Advancing Institutional Transformation; Phase 2: Highlighted WISELI Programs: Building a Legacy and Phase 3: Summary of the First Five Years, and the Future of WISELI: Forward with Institution Transformation. They may be viewed through the WISELI website.

Since new material is being added all the time, be sure to try The University of Wisconsin Collection , its sub-collection on The History of Women at the University of Wisconsin and the State of Wisconsin Collection.