Louisa C. Allen was hired in 1874 in the Domestic Science Department, the same year the first female students graduated. Though not officially a Professor, she’s considered the first female faculty member. Louisa started the first domestic science course and a women’s calisthenics program.

Women featured in our weekly series are part of the 150 for 150 website Celebrating the Accomplishments of Women at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The website was created by the Gender Equity Council and the University Library to highlight women who have made significant achievements during their time at the University either as students, staff, faculty, or alumni.