Women in History

Theresa Grentz joined the University of Illinois coaching staff in 1995, becoming the Head Coach for the Women’s Basketball team. She was named Big 10 Coach of the Year in 1998, leading the women’s basketball team to the Sweet Sixteen in 1997. Prior to her coaching career at Illinois, Theresa was an Olympic athlete and competed for the USA Women’s basketball team in 1973 in Moscow. She served as...

Ruth Nicole Brown graduated from the University of Illinois in 1998 with a degree in Political Science. She began teaching at the University of Illinois in 2006 and is now an Associate Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Education, Policy, Organization and Leadership. In 2006, she founded Saving Our Lives, Hear Our Truths (SOLHOT) an ongoing practice-based, publicly engaged, collectively...

Reshma Saujani graduated from the University of Illinois in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Speech Communication. She was the founder of the organization Girls Who Code, started in 2012. She is also the first Indian American woman and the first South Asian American woman to run for Congress. In 2015, Fortune magazine named Reshma to their “40 Under 40” list. She is also the...

Renee Heiken Slone graduated from the University of Illinois in 1993 and then became the head coach for the women’s golf team at the University in 2006. Throughout her career as a student athlete, Renee was a three-time All-American, claiming three straight top 10 finishes at the NCAA Championships. She also was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, two-time Big Ten Championship Medalist, and...

Ramona Faith Oswald became a faculty member in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in 1998 and in 2001 she was promoted to Professor. Now, she is head of the department. As a scholar, Ramona is a nationally recognized leader in LGBT family life and processes. She leads a USDA supported multistate project examining the quality of life for rural LGBTQ youth and families–a first...

Paula Kaufman became the first female Dean of Libraries and University Librarian in 1999 and held the position until 2013. In 2009, she became the first recipient of the Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson University Library Deanship. Paula served as Interim Chief Information Officer for the University of Illinois Urbana campus from 2006-2007. Paula has received several awards and distinctions,...

Patricia Morey served as the Director of the Women’s Resource Center at the University of Illinois beginning in 1992. She retired in June 2017 after over 25 years of service. Prior to working at the Women’s Resource Center, Pat worked with the Women’s Center of Champaign and was the Director of Rape Crisis Services for seven years. Pat received her degree in Social Work at the University of...

Alice Deck, nominated by a faculty mentee, joined the English department’s faculty in the 1980s and later became affiliated with the African American Studies program. She retired in 2011. As a teacher, Alice was a source of support for numerous students within and beyond her departmental affiliations. Alice was a sounding board, research advocate, phenomenal mentor, and essential stakeholder in...

Arlene Torres received her Master’s Degree in 1987 and her PhD in 1995, both from the Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois. While at the U of I, she held positions as faculty and administrator. Arlene provided compassionate support and was a leading advocate for the interdisciplinary scholarship of many students, faculty, and staff while at Illinois. A pioneering scholar in...

Barbara A. Yates was the founding and first Director of the Women and Gender in Global Perspectives Program (WGGP), serving from 1980 to 1985. She received her PhD in comparative education and history from Columbia University. She is a Professor Emerita in Comparative Education at the University of Illinois and a pioneer in the field of women in international development. Barbara established WGGP...