Women’s History Month
Celebrating Women’s History Month
As staff members, then as students and faculty, the women of Harvard paved the way for the next generation, and continue to carve new paths today.
A complicated history
While women weren’t taught at Harvard until 1879, they have always been a part of the University.
Read more about the historyYesterday’s pioneers
I am not the first woman who ought to have been called to Harvard.”![]()

Star analysts of Harvard
In the late 19th through the mid-20th century, these women classified the stars, determined their brightness, and discovered new stars, nebulae, and novae.
Star analysts of HarvardToday’s leaders
The first step to being seen as a leader is to be seen at all.”Pamela Chen
Creator of “Women Before Me,”
portraits of Harvard Medical School alumnae![]()

Women making history
These extraordinary women at the Wyss Institute are changing the world.
Women making history- Claudia Goldin
Nobel laureate traces major parts of the U.S. workforce

- Melanie Wood
First woman to win the Waterman Award in math

- Melissa Shang
Raising awareness about disability during the pandemic

Making strides
Breaking through self-doubt
Studies show how employers could use simple-yet-powerful approaches to empower women to pursue senior roles and bring more talent to companies.
Debunking myths
A new report examines myths hampering the advancement of women in the workplace, the actual barriers, and possible solutions.
Moving up the ladder
Research shows that mergers shake up the status quo at companies and help women and people of color move up the ladder.