Founded in 1979, Loyola's Women's Studies and Gender Studies (WSGS) program was the first women's studies program at a Jesuit institution and since then has served as a model for women's studies programs at other Jesuit and Catholic universities.  Our mission is to introduce students to feminist schoalrship and gender theory across the disciplines and the professional schools; to provide innovative, challenging, and thoughtful approaches to learning; and to promote social justice. The 2011-2012 academic year marks our 32nd year at Loyola. 

The program is interdisciplinary and includes courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, as well as business, law, and social work.  WSGS faculty seek to integrate knowledge about women, gender, and sexuality into the theories and practices of various discplines and professions. 

Located in Piper Hall (pictured above) the staff of the Women's Studies Program includes our Director Dr. Betsy Jones Hemenway, a professor in the History Department; our Graduate Program Director is Dr. Prudence Moylan, from the History Department; and this year our Graduate Assistants are Cait Rogan and Kathryn Berg. We are working together to offer a wide range of classes in Women's Studies and Gender Studies for both our undergraduates and Master's level students and to help foster discussion across campus on issues relating to gender and equality.