The following commemorative pieces are placed in the back half of the Hamel Family Browsing Library in UW-Madison’s Memorial Union. The front half of this space is dedicated to social justice more broadly. Thank you to the Memorial Union staff for assisting in the development of these projects.
This honor roll features the names of honorees who have been recognized through gifts to the In Her Honor Fund, through June 2019. It will be displayed in the Hamel Library through August 2021, at which point an updated version will be created to reflect the new cycle of honorees.
The 2019 Senior Class Office chose to commemorate the 150th anniversary of women graduates for its class gift. They commissioned The Monarch, by artist and alumna Victoria Reed (M.A. 2016). The statue invites reflection on the lived experiences of women, is a symbol of female empowerment, and represents being welcome and open to all. Read more about the sculpture here.
These book collections have been curated by Karla Strand and Laura Killingsworth of the UW-Madison Gender & Women’s Studies Library and the 4W Initiative. Thank you to the following partners who have donated books in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of women graduates from UW and the In Her Honor Fund: Kate S. McCleary and The Office of Child Care and Family Resources.
Feminist Classics
The “Feminists Classics” collection features titles from a diverse range of authors and time periods. This “classics for the rest of us” canon features both fiction and nonfiction works on subjects ranging from feminist theory, to coming of age stories, to historical fiction and creative nonfiction. Please see the full list here. We thank Marlene and Robert Hartzman for their generous gift to the In Her Honor Fund in sponsorship of this collection. “In honor of our mothers, Frieda Brier Hartzman and Annette Chemerinsky Tobe, who cherished decency, kindness and education.” – Marlene and Robert Hartzman
Wisconsin Women
The “Wisconsin Women” collection is dedicated to recognizing Wisconsin women, both as writers and for their overall accomplishments. Whether they attended the University of Wisconsin or spent part of their lives sifting and winnowing in this great state, this collection provides access to the works of Wisconsin women authors as well as biographical information about these distinguished individuals. Please see the full list here.
Know of a good book that fits one of these collections? Click here to suggest a title.
The Gathering Table conveys messages of equity and inclusion for all. It serves as a space for students and members of the UW community to gather for years to come! The table was constructed by local artist and educator Sylvie Rosenthal. Rosenthal constructed the tabletop, which includes brass inlay and red sand inlay that form a constellation, as well as carved depictions of prairie wild flowers and women. Rosenthal also designed the base that was crafted by Wisconsin Union team members Creighton Hinkes, Scott Wilson, and Jeff Rauser.
We are grateful to Sylvie Rosenthal for her immense passion and dedication to this project. We also thank Doris Weisberg for her generous gift to the In Her Honor Fund in sponsorship of this table.
Read Sylvie Rosenthal’s artists statement to learn more about The Gathering Table.
Check out our YouTube channel and learn more about The Story of the Gathering Table.
Six stylized portraits now hang in the Hamel Library, portraying some of UW’s earliest graduates: Mary Allen, Clara Chamberlain, Annie Chamberlain, Helty Rusk, Sarah Warren, and Lydia Flack. These women graduated from what was called “The Normal School” in 1865. It wasn’t until 1869 that another 6 graduated and earned the same bachelor’s degrees as their male peers. Amelia Faist, a student in Interior Architecture in the School of Human Ecology, added color and details to the historical photos of the women to turn them into celebratory contemporary portraits. Thank you to Carolyn Kallenborn, Lesley Sager, and Jennifer Angus from the School of Human Ecology for their additional help in creating these portraits, which will eventually be translated into unique threaded paintings by Oaxacan artist Luis Alonzo.
The first class of women graduates from the University of Wisconsin in 1865: Mary Allen, Clara Chamberlain, Annie Chamberlain, Helty Rusk, Sarah Warren, and Lydia Flack. Photo: UW Archives.