Rosalyn Sussman Yalow received her Master’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1942 and her PhD in 1945 (both degrees in Physics). In an era when few women pursued careers in science, Rosalyn persisted in applying to graduate schools and was offered a teaching assistantship at the University...
Women in History
Ann Bannon graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in French in 1954. As an alum, Ann wrote six lesbian pulp fiction novels known as “The Beebo Brinker Chronicles.” Her writing reflected upon her sexuality and its relation to her experiences in her sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma while a...
Betty Lou Bailey graduated from the University of Illinois in 1950 with a degree from the Mechanical Science and Engineering Department. She graduated in the top three percent of her class of 700, and was the only female in the class. During her career, Betty Lou worked as a registered professional...
Chung Sul Yuon, an international student from South Korea, graduated in 1955 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. She was the first woman in more than 30 years to major in chemical engineering, and the first Korean woman as well. While a student, she was involved in Orchesis and was also the...
Clarice Davis Presnells graduated in 1952 with a degree in political science. In her senior year, she became the first African American Homecoming Queen not only at the U of I, but in Big 10 history. This is considered the biggest vote for a Homecoming Queen in the history of the University with...
Duck Choo Oh, a Korea native, graduated with a degree in Sociology in 1956. She was named homecoming queen in 1955 and was the only Korean Homecoming Queen in the history of the tradition. As a student, she lived in McKinley Hall and was active in the residence hall’s social events. She was able to...
Jane Hayes Rader graduated from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1954 and eventually became a member of the Board of Trustees in 1973. As a student, she was heavily involved in university proceedings and student government. She was a member of the sorority Pi Beta Phi and often...
Phyllis Hill joined the University of Illinois faculty in 1952, and eventually began working on her PhD. During her time at the U of I, she served as Professor, Associate Dean, and Acting Dean of the College of Applied Life Studies (now Applied Health Sciences). Dr. Hill led the college through the...
Wilma Vaught graduated with a Business degree in 1952. As an alum, she became the first female Air Force Officer to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. She joined the military when there were strict restrictions on women in the military. She is now “Brigadier General” Wilma Vaught,...
Susan Lindquist graduated with a degree in Microbiology in 1971. She is one of the most respected molecular biologists in the world, now a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Susan is also the co-founder of FoldRx, a pharmaceutical company, and the first female director of the...
Shelia Crump Johnson graduated from the University of Illinois in 1970 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She was the first female African American cheerleader at the University of Illinois. In 1979, Shelia co-founded the ground breaking Black Entertainment Television (BET) network. She is also the Vice...
Susan “Suze” Orman graduated from the School of Social Work in 1976 and went on to become an influential business icon, known for her financial advice, motivational speaking, writing, and television show. Suze is also the founder of the Suze Orman Financial Group. In 2009, she received an honorary...
Terry Hite David came to the University of Illinois as a sophomore in 1968 as part of the Project 500 group. As a student, she played for the women’s volleyball team before Title IX legislation existed. She graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, left the university for...
Beth Dohme Wallin graduated with a degree in Home Economics in 1961. As a student, she was heavily involved in student organizations such as Alpha Lambda Delta, Omicron Nu, Torch, Psi Upsilon Omicron, and Mortar Board. Beth was also a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, served as President of the...
Carol Lee graduated with a degree in Secondary Education, specializing in English, in 1966. She has been instrumental in helping minority students overcome road blocks such as negative stereotypes and lack of resources. Carol helped found the Institute of Positive Education, the Betty Shabazz...
Carol Moseley Braun attended the University of Illinois in the 1960s, but ultimately received her degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 1969. She became the first female African American Senator to the United States Congress, serving from 1993 to 1999. Women...
Doris Kelley Christopher graduated with a degree in Home Economics in 1967. She is best known as the founder and chairman of The Pampered Chef. She is a Director on the University of Illinois Foundation Board and an avid donor to the University. Her contributions made possible the Doris Kelley...
Gayl S. Pyatt graduated from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1964. She later became the first female president of the UI Foundation and received the Foundation’s President’s Award for Service in 1995. In addition to her work with the UI Foundation, she has also been involved in the UI...
Jane Loeb joined the Psychology Department in 1968, and retired as Professor of Educational Psychology and Psychology. She also served in several administrative positions during her time at Illinois, including Director of Admissions and Records (1972-81), Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic...
Jill Wine-Banks graduated from the U of I in 1964 with a degree in Journalism. While a student, she was involved in various activities and societies, such as Shi Ai, the Daily Illini, Panhellenic Council, Iota Alpha Pi, and Kappa Tau Alpha. After graduating, she went on to receive her J.D. from...
Karol Kahrs began at Illinois in 1966 as an instructor in the College of Physical Education and spent many years coaching women’s sports. In 1974, she moved up to the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics to develop the University’s women’s intercollegiate athletics program. After 36 years of...
Lorella Margaret Jones joined the Physics faculty in 1968 and was the first woman in the College of Engineering to receive tenure. Lorella was a high-energy theoretical physicist and an early adopter and promoter of Illinois’ PLATO (later known as NovaNet), the first large-scale computer-assisted...
Lynn Morley Martin graduated in 1960 with a degree in the teaching of English. Lynn served in the Illinois House of Representatives, the Illinois Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives, where she secured a seat on the Budget Committee as a freshman member of Congress. She also served as U.S...
Marianna Tax Choldin began as a professor of Library Administration at the University of Illinois in 1969 and remains an adjunct professor for the School of Information Sciences today. In 1991, she became the founding director of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs. In her time...
Mary-Elizabeth Hamstrom began in the Mathematics department in 1961. She was promoted to Professor in 1966; 1 of 4 female full professors in College of LAS. She was an authority in point-set and geometric topology with special interest in spaces of homeomorphisms of manifolds. Women featured...
