Womens Studies
Program History
1858: The Young Ladies Institute (YLI) and forty-four women pursue
higher education in the basement of the Baptist Church in Granville,
Ohio.
1887: After graduating two classes, the YLI develops into The Shepardson College for Women.
1900: Shepardson College is incorporated into
Denison University.
1973: First course defined as a Women's Studies
course is offered in the Spring Semester.
1978: Denison is the first co-ed college in the country
to institute a graduation requirement for either
a black studies or women's studies course.
1981: Denison establishes a women's studies minor in response to growing interest in the field as an academic course of study.
1983: A major in women's studies is established at Denison. Since this
time, more than 50 majors have graduated from the program.
1989: The women's studies program takes residence within the faculty office of the director of the women's resource center.
1994: The women's studies program is given independent offices in Knapp 108.
2005: The women's studies program moves to Knapp 210 and enjoys shared library space with the Black Studies program.