50 years ago, in 1975, a group of women professors in Madison decided they needed a place to study the lives of women, something that was missing at the university. To get the new discipline approved, which at that time was called “Women’s Studies,” they had to make a presentation to an all male, all white committee to explain why such a program was needed. The topic they used to convince the committee - menstruation. The panel, some members red faced, most of them speechless, had no questions and the program was approved. But now, in 2025, advocates find themselves having to defend the discipline. Political science professor emeritus Virginia Sapiro was part of the early days of Women’s Studies and returned to Madison for its 50th anniversary celebration. Her Turn reporter Arlene Zaucha talked with her about it.

Image courtesy of the UW-Madison’s Department of Gender and Women’s Studies