WGS Founders

After the first Women's Studies program in the country was started at San Diego State University in 1970, requests for similar programs flooded colleges and universities across the US—including UGA. After a recommendation from the University Council's curriculum committee, Dr. Louise McBee, then the assistant VP for instruction, established a committee to develop a Women's Studies Program at the University of Georgia. Founding members included faculty, staff and students from across the university, and in 1977, the program officially launched. See the images below for a look at the beginnings of the program, which was reinvigorated in 1988, leading to the major, minor, and grad certificate programs that we know and love today. 

April 12, 1916 The University of Georgia Community News New program planned in women's studies A new program in women's studies is being developed for the university, and the first courses should be offered in either summer or fall quarters. Dr. Nelle Scholz, career counseling coordinator in the testing and evaluation center, is interim coordinator of a student-faculty advisory committee which is developing the undergraduate certificate program. In announcing establishment of the committee, Dr. M. Louise McBee, assistant vice president for instruction, said the program is a response to requests from faculty members and students. "For the last several years women students and some faculty members have asked why we had no women's studies program at the university," McBee said. "In addition, a sub-committee of the University Council's curriculum committee has made a study and recommended a women's studies program. So we decided to see if we could get something going." McBee termed women's studies as "academic phenomenon" which has spread rapidly across campuses since the first program began at San Diego State University in 1970. More than 400 institutions now offer either certificate or degree programs in the field, she said. Courses on such topics as the psychology of women, women and the law, women in science, women in history and sex role stereotyping have been popular at the University of Georgia in recent years, and the new program will probably incorporate these plus other courses the committee feels are needed. The committee will poll faculty members and deans and department heads to determine where there is interest in a new course. There will be no extra costs to the university for the women's program, McBee added. "Dr. Scholz and members of the committee are working on the program aside from their other duties. People who will be teaching classes in women's studies will be allowed to do this by their departments." McBee said there are no plans to make women's studies a major or minor field of study. "Persons will be given a certificate in women's studies while taking his or her traditional major," she said. "The women's studies will be an emphasis or concentration area in probably four or five courses decided upon by the advisory committee." McBee said Scholz is "a good person to get the program going. In addition to an interest in the field, she has considerable experience and has taught courses for the Georgia Center and in other parts of the country in assertive training for women. Along with three others, she wrote a book on decision making for women. We feel that she has experience and interest to give the program good direction." Other members of the advisory committee are Dr. Jack Balswick, associate professor of sociology; Dr. Maija Blaubergs, assistant professor of educational psychology; Dr Emily Calhoun, assistant professor of law; Dr. Karen Calhoun, assistant professor of psychology; Dr. Charles Darby, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Frank Fabris, assistant director of program development at the university's Center for Continuing Education; Margaret Holt, research coordinator at the continuing education center; Dr. Sharon Price-Bonham, assistant professor of home economics; Dr. Shanna Richman, assistant professor of psychology; and Jenny Rustin, Vicki Thomas and Sue Zimmerman, students.
April 1976 UGA Community News coverage of the planned Women's Studies program
or. Jack 8Alswlck V Child & FAmlly l)ovt!lopinant l 23C Dawson Un ll 2-2551 9-5456 ~r. Abbie nt!imnn Plact!ment Office'.! Law School 2-7541 ~r. MaijA S. Blaubergs ('J Educational Psychology Aderhold 2-4110 Dr. Kay Bruch Educational Psychology Aderhold 2-4110 .JlSrE. mily Calhoun V !'3wSc hool 2-7668 9-4471 Dr. Karen S. calhoun Psychology Dept. Psychology Bldg. ~r. Charles Crowe History Dept. LeConte Hall 2-2053 3-4883 ~- .Janice Gaus Crumrine Sociology Dept. Baldwin Hall 2-8457 9-8270 Ms. Linda Elkins General Operations Main Library 2-2534 Dr. Frank S. Fabri• Progr .. Development Georgia Center 2-17.54 9-3852 Dr. Ellen D. Gagne' Educational P•ychology Aderhold 2-1806/2-4110 9-1833 iu. Lee Gallagher-Bu.born 131 Grady Ave. Athen1, G4 30601 *STEERINCG(J OtlTTE£ WOMliN1 B fl'l'Ul>Tr.S COMMl'l"n:1~ 1>1.·. ,Judith I', Clonu-. Snc Ln 1 Sc I 011co 1•:cluc, lhttl 1 oy llnll 2-7:lCiS 6-7991. HA, Hnrgnret llolt lleRC'.!lltchC oordinator Georgin Center 2-2245 3-0375 Ms. Jeanne Lansman Reference Dept. Main Library 2-3251 3-5848 Ms. Kathleen Nilles 1344 S. Lumpkin Catholic Center Athens, GA 30605 3-2293 8-1914 Dr. Linda J. Piper History Dept. LeConte Hall 2-2053 8-3812 Dr. Deborah Richardson Psychology Dept. Psychology Bldg. 2-4543 8-9804 Dr. Catherine Rudder Political Science Baldwin Hall 2-2057 9-8880 Ms. Glenys Sayward 681 Riverview Rd, Athens, GA 30606 2-5977/2-1812 6-9614 "'Dr. Nelle Scholz Testing & Evaluation Academic Bldg. 2-3183 Ks. Vicki Tho111as 3238 Jefferson Rd. Athen1, GA 30607 3-7834 Ma. Ruth W, '·7oodU ng In•titute of Government Terrell Hall 2-2737 Mn. Jenn E. YriodMan llfntory fJopt, J,<JConte lfo11 2-J0J0 8-9fVi4 Mn, Ricki Sefdman WomenJ ,11wS tudentn' Assoc, School of um 2-7669 8-4789 Ms. Norma J. Edwards B22 Georgia Center Ms. Cathy Woolard 117 Hardeman Rd. Winterville, GA 30608 9-4384 Dr. Louise McBee Academic Affairs Old College 2-8947 Dr. Ellen Jordan School of Law Law Bldg. 2-7542 8-6407 V Ms. Dorothy Gagnier Gerontology Georgia Center 2-1272
December 1977 List of members and affiliations of Women's Studies Committee
Women's studies program is revived Female perspective needed for balanced world view, says director A phoenix is rising in Room women's studies 230-F of The University of -making the university commu- Georgia main library. nity aware of feminist scholarship The UGA Women's Studies - integrating information about Program, which started in the 1970s, is women into the curriculum undergoing a revival ? complete -increasing the number of with a director, an office suite, women faculty members at a telephone number, a small higher ranks staff and lots of plans. - ending sexism on Pat Del Rey, the pro- campus gram's new director, said -connecting with women's studies is alive women's advocacy groups in again thanks to the support the Athens community of Louise McBee, vice ? becoming a resource president emeritus for center for women's studies academic affairs, and Presi- for the community dent Charles B. Knapp. The - bringing in consultants program's rebirth began in for faculty workshops on 1987 when McBee ap- women's studies pointed a taculty commit- Regular program activities tee to evaluate the need for such include a noon lecture series every a program. The committee found high enrollment in the women's studies courses that were being offered on campus. "In fact, several faculty members have identified women's studies as their primary research area of interest," said Del Rey."I've tried to mobilize that kind of energy, focus it into a well-developed curriculum and build a program which can continue to grow. Why is a women's studies program needed at the university? Del Rey smiles at the question and leans back in her chair to consider her answer. Through her window that overlooks the quadrangle in front of Peabody Hall, students can be seen hurrying up and down the sidewalks. Feminist scholars and researchers ask different questions from the traditional male perspective," Del Rey said, apologizing that her answer is not short or simple. "The different experiences of women, socially and historically, lead women to new ways of answering questions." ? Feminist research has caused a major intellectual revolution, she said, holding up several books she is reviewing on the topic. "What has occurred in almost every field from agriculture to zoology, from education to the liberal arts, is theorizing about the effects of gender on the development of scholarship in these fields. "The assumption, of course, is that gender affects one's perception of reality so that women see things differently from men. Much of the development of feminist scholarship probably has come from areas where there s a large percentage of women. "Because the university is a place to create an atmosphere and a context for discussion of ideas, it is important to have a women's studies program here," said Del Rey, a sports psychologist who teaches a course titled "Sports and the American Woman" as part of the physical education curricu- "It's also symbolic for women students because it shows we value women as people." Del Rey said she hopes one day. the program will offer degrees in women's studies, joining the ranks of other major research institutions, and offer joint appointments in women's studies. More than 500 women's studies programs exist today in the United States. Currently, there are 12 students pursuing the certificate offered by the UGA Women's Studies Program, and about 500 students per year take the women's studies courses. The program has an ambitious set of goals: - expanding the curriculum in Friday at the Tate Student Center; lectures and programs, including special daily events during March in celebration of national Women's History Month; faculty development projects; and a quarterly newsletter with a growing 2,500 circulation. "We want to address the needs of all women throughout the university community," Del Rey said. But with Del Rey and her office staff working only half-time, "there's a limit to what this office can do," she said, adding that the program is seeking grants to fund expansion. Many university faculty and staff members work actively with the program, developing courses, speaking at programs and working with committees. ?A curriculum committee is studying the feasibility of a graduate certificate program and an undergraduate major in women's studies. The committee, which is headed by Linda Grant, assistant professor of sociology, is also developing three courses in women's studies ? "Introduction to Women's Studies," "Feminist Theory" and "Directed Study" - to begin spring quarter 1990. Faculty members who are interested in working with the women's studies program or in developing a course are invited to contact Del Key, who said she will "entertain any discussions."
1988 (?) Article on the rejuvenation of the Women's Studies Program, source unknown (possibly the Red and Black)
The University of Georgia Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs Old College Athens, Georgia 30602 1185 MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: RE: Frienda of Women's Studies MA. cLtoiunisge MVciBceoe Frasident Mw... Bee Steering Committee Appointments DATE: November 3, 1987 Today I have appointed the following people to the Women's Studies Steering Committee: Dr. Pat Del Rey, Physical Education Dr. Jean Friedman, History Dr. Margaret Herrman, Institute of Government Dr. Linda Piper, History Dr. Sharon Price, Child and Family Development Dr. Susette Talarico, Political Science Dr. Ruth Weber, Social Work They are to meet, elect a chair and file their recommendations by January 1, 1988. I know they will join me in thanking you for your support of a revived Women's Studies Program. A second general meeting will be scheduled early in January to elicit your response to the committee's findings. I hope you will be able to serve as a resource person and/or committee member when you are called upon this academic year. Your support and enthusiasm are critical to the success of our efforts. cc:Ellen Jordan Heather Kleiner Women's Studies Steering Committee
November 1987 memorandum from Dr. Louise McBee announcing the appointment of seven faculty members to the Women's Studies Steering Committee