Beginning in earnest in the 1970s, female and LGBTQ faculty at UNC advocated for the incorporation of gender and sexuality studies into the general curriculum. The interdisciplinary focus primarily engaged professors from English, sociology, and history departments, who designed courses that highlighted prominent female scholars and explored gendered roles in society. As the 20th century drew to a close, female faculty began holding administrative positions and breaking UNC’s glass ceiling with named professorships. Today, the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies and the Sexuality Studies program reflects decades of work by faculty and students advocating for inclusive instruction.
Student curators:
Aja Saylor
Jona Bocari
Abi Worrell
Kate Karstens
Southern Oral History Program interviews related to this theme:
Doris Betts interviewed by Jennifer Donnally
June 2, 2007