Eleanor Frances Seiler earned her B.A. in 1913 and M.A. in 1914 from the University of Denver. In 1916, she obtained her second M.A. in physics from the University of Illinois. In 1922, she became...

The Alma Mater Statue, built in 1916, is a beloved symbol on campus. Lorado Taft and Rolan Conklin envisioned it as a tribute to academic women and a foster mother figure for all students throughout...

Dorothy Day was a student from 1914 to 1916, a hockey team member, and part of the Scribbler's Club. After leaving the University, she founded the Catholic Worker Movement and became a social justice...

Lois Seyster Monstross, a 1919 graduate, became a prominent author. As a student, she was active in Alpha Xi Delta, Scribbler’s Club, Mortarboard, Athenian, Glee Club, Student Council, Woman’s League...

On October 2, 2024, WGGP hosted an Alumni Lecture by Annie Contractor on "Community Engagement, Rural Edition: Navigating Local Power and Conquering the Fear Factor". The lecture explores the unique...

Louise Freer, Head of the Department of Physical Education for Women from 1915 to 1949, championed women’s athletics and led significant improvements in facilities and programs. Her work trained many...

On October 11, 2024, WGGP hosted an Affiliate Lecture by Dr. Eunmi Mun on "Egalitarian Workplaces: Organizational Pattern of Gender Wage Inequality in High Income Countries". Scholars of gender wage...

Rayna Simons Prohme, a 1917 graduate, was active in journalism at the University of Illinois, including roles with the Daily Illini, Scribbler’s Club, and Alethenai Literary Society. She later became...

Maudelle Brown Bousfield, the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Illinois in 1906 with a Mathematics degree, later became the first female African American principal of a...

Mary Busey, a Board of Trustees member from 1904 to 1930, used her local prominence to advance opportunities for female students. She played a key role in establishing on-campus housing for women,...