Gerda Lerner

Gerda Lerner, an influential historian and pioneer in women's history, was born on April thirtieth, nineteen twenty, in Austria. She later became an American citizen and dedicated her life to academia, writing, and education. Lerner's extensive body of work includes scholarly publications, poetry, fiction, theatre pieces, screenplays, and an autobiography, showcasing her diverse talents and commitment to exploring women's narratives.

In nineteen sixty-three, while still an undergraduate at the New School for Social Research, Lerner made history by teaching 'Great Women in American History,' recognized as the first regular college course on women's history. This groundbreaking course laid the foundation for her lifelong dedication to the field, which she further developed during her tenure at various institutions, including Long Island University, Sarah Lawrence College, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

At Sarah Lawrence College, where she taught from nineteen sixty-eight to nineteen seventy-nine, Lerner established the nation's first master's degree program in women's history. She continued to innovate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she launched the first Ph.D. program in women's history and served as the Robinson Edwards Professor of History from nineteen eighty until her retirement in nineteen ninety-one. Lerner also held leadership roles, including serving as president of the Organization of American Historians from nineteen eighty to nineteen eighty-one.

Throughout her career, Lerner played a crucial role in shaping women's history curricula and was instrumental in the development of degree programs in women's history at various universities, including Duke University and Columbia University, where she co-founded the Seminar on Women. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the field, inspiring future generations of historians and educators.