Women's Institute
Promoting women's leadership and gender equity through education, research, and outreach.
The Women's Institute continues the legacy of Chatham University's historic commitment to women's leadership and gender equity.
We serve as a hub to draw together the university's broad range of gender initiatives, resources, and academic programs. Through education, research, and outreach, we work across campus and into the community promoting social, political, and economic equality.
Women leaders thrive at Chatham University.
We were ranked in the top three schools nationwide for aspiring women leaders. And TIME Magazine named Chatham's most famous alumna, the environmental pioneer Rachel Carson '29, one of the most powerful women of the 20th century.
Recent women leaders hosted by the Women's Institute include:
Inside the Classroom
As a fully gender inclusive university, we continue our historic commitment to advancing the causes of women's leadership, empowerment, and gender equity in the classroom. Our academic initiatives build on our history of innovative education while maintaining our values and helping students become the social change makers of the future.
Academic Programs Supported by the Women's Institute
Women's Leadership Certificate Program
Students in any major can add a certificate in Women's Leadership.
Outside the Classroom
The Women's Institute sponsors a wide variety of activities outside the classroom for graduate and undergraduate students interested in women's leadership and gender equity. We recognize that gender intersects with other power structures, including race, class, sexual identity, national origin, religion and more – and therefore our feminism is intersectional. Honoring Chatham's values of inclusion, diversity, and respect, we use a social justice lens to practice gender equity and center those in our work who have historically been most marginalized.
Chatham University faculty are experts in the scholarship and pedagogical practice of promoting women's leadership and gender equity. The Women's Institute provides continued professional development and consultation on issues of gender equity in the classroom and beyond.
Teaching Resources
Women's Institute Affiliated Faculty
More than 1/3rd of Chatham's faculty are affiliated with the Women's Institute. Learn more »
Visiting Scholars
Each year the Women's Institute hosts Visiting Scholars working on cutting-edge gender research. Learn more »
Scholar-In-Residence
The Scholar-in-Residence works closely with students and gives public lectures. Learn more »
Research Support
Public Scholarship
Our director regularly presents invited talks in the community about issues related to women, girls, women's leadership, and gender equity. Recent topics include:
- "On Mother's Day: The Status of Women, Girls, and Gender Equity," Westminster Speaker Series.
- "#MeToo and Lessons from the History of Anti-Gender Violence Activism," Labor and Employment Relations Association.
- "Gender and Inequality in the Age of Neoliberalism," Humanities Center Marx@200 Series, Carnegie Mellon University.
- "Repression and Resistance: The Legacy of Tera Hunter's 'To 'Joy My Freedom'," A Symposium on Black Feminist Histories, University of Virginia.
- "Gender, Underwear, and the Body," Frick Art and Historical Center.
- "Taking Stock of Women's Status in the Post-Election Era," American Association of University Women.
- "Gender Equality in the 21st Century," Longwood at Oakmont Lecture Series.
- "Gender and Those Killer Heels," Frick Art and Historical Center.
- "Gender, Neoliberalism, and the Fight for the Public Good," Sarah Lawrence College.
- "Gender and the History of Toys, 1950s-1970s," Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh.
News
Upcoming Events
Pittsburgh Gender Scholars Consortium
VIRTUAL BROWN BAG SERIES (January)
Featuring University of Pittsburgh Gender Scholars: Dr. Bridget Keown, Lecturer in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies "Women and War T …
Pittsburgh Gender Scholars Consortium
VIRTUAL BROWN BAG SERIES (February)
Featuring Duquesne University Gender Scholars: Dr. Lanei Rodemeyer (Philosophy) “Making Sense of Sensing: Transgender Studies and Phenomeno …
Just Films - Black Feminist
Film screening link will be available here from February 1st through Febuary 28th.Zoom panel discussion link will be sent to registrants.BLA …
Barbara Stone Hollander '60 Lecture in Women’s Leadership featuring Kathi Elliott, DNP '14
Barbara Stone Hollander ’60 Lecture in Women’s Leadership featuring Kathi Elliott, DNP ‘14 CEO, Gwen’s Girls and Trustee, Chatham Univers …
Chatham has been empowering women for almost 150 years. When the Pennsylvania Female College (now Chatham University) was founded in 1869, women were frequently blocked from higher education. Despite many gains in the years since, women still face persistent social, political, and economic inequalities.
Today, Chatham University maintains its leadership role and historic commitment to women's education and gender equity. In 2014, the Board of Trustees established the Chatham University Women's Institute, which launched in 2015 with the hiring of inaugural director, Dr. Jessie Ramey. Its purpose on campus is to ensure the thoughtful continuation of the resources Chatham has – and will continue to have – in enhancing education for women and gender equality in all aspects of campus curriculum and campus life.
The Women's Institute provides a range of activities and opportunities for students, faculty, alumnae, and the community and helps support and coordinate the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship, Women's Business Center, Pennsylvania Center for Women & Politics, and the Women's and Gender Studies Program.
People
Jessie B. Ramey, Ph.D.
Director and Associate Professor, Women's and Gender Studies
jramey@chatham.edu • (412) 365-1446
Jessie B. Ramey, Ph.D., is the Founding Director of the Women's Institute at Chatham University and Associate Professor of Women's and Gender Studies. She is a historian of gender, race, working families, and U.S. social policy. Dr. Ramey was named one of the top "people to know" by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; one of "5 People Making Pittsburgh a More Livable City for All," by NEXT Pittsburgh; and was invited twice to President Obama's White House to discuss education policy. Pittsburgh City Council appointed her as an inaugural member of the Gender Equity Commission, and she serves on the Mayor's Task Force on Women in Public Art. Read more.
Melody Harris
Program Coordinator
m.harris@chatham.edu • (412) 365-1578
Melody Harris has a background in event planning and program support in the philanthropic and non-profit sector. At Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania, she worked with the region's foundation community. A graduate of Edinboro University and Leadership Pittsburgh, Melody has taught as an adjunct in women's studies at Carlow University. She has also served on the board of the Pittsburgh chapter of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) and the junior board of the Andy Warhol Museum.
Affiliated Faculty
Contact us for more about how you can get involved with women's leadership and gender equity at Chatham University. Learn more »
Visiting Scholars
Specify a designation for areas supporting women's leadership and gender equity when you give to Chatham to support our students. Learn more and apply »
Scholar in Residence
The Scholar in Residence works closely with students in classes, small groups, and gives public lectures. This position is by invitation only. Learn more »