Tag UW Women at 150
When perseverance is the only option: Mabel Watson Raimey
Raimey is believed to have been the first African-American woman to graduate from UW–Madison. And that is just the beginning of her story.
First female valedictorian became renowned suffragist
Clara Bewick Colby was among the first class of six women at the University of Wisconsin to graduate with bachelor’s degrees. Later, large crowds would attend her speeches on women’s rights.
Meet ‘The Monarch’
The newly unveiled statue, "The Monarch," celebrates the 150th anniversary of women receiving degrees at UW–Madison and was designed by artist Victoria Reed to represent female empowerment and influence.
Gloria Ladson-Billings: Daring to dream in public
The renowned scholar, who has helped change the way teachers teach African American children, was the first black woman to become a tenured professor in UW–Madison’s School of Education.
UW Women at 150: Computer scientist Thelma Estrin
Thelma Estrin was an early pioneer of the field of medical informatics — the now commonplace practice of applying computers to medical research and treatment. She also was something of a trailblazer for women hoping to pursue careers in the sciences.
Ada Deer: A lifetime of firsts
Deer, a 1957 graduate, went on to become the first female chair of Wisconsin's Menominee Indian Tribe as well as a national leader in Indian affairs.
Nursing pioneer Signe Skott Cooper: From the farm to the battlefield
Cooper devoted more than 60 years to nursing education at UW–Madison and within the UW System. Her wartime service shaped her life, personally and professionally.
UW Women at 150: Looking for — and finding — Lorraine Hansberry
While many people know “A Raisin in the Sun,” far fewer know much about its author, Lorraine Hansberry. Hansberry spent less than two years as a student at UW–Madison, but it was an important part of her journey as a writer and activist.
Breaking ground with Grace
Grace Wahba, who retired in August, was the first female faculty member in the Department of Statistics at UW–Madison. Her work centered on the extraction of information from large data sets, particularly in the medical field.