Harvard University has created a chair for Gender Studies within its Graduate School of Education. “It is an important statement that the issue of gender is now permanently a part of the university, an enduring and vital part of Harvard and its research program, ” said Harvard psychologist and education professor Carol Gilligan, who will hold the position. Gilligan holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Harvard and is best known for her studies of women’s psychological development and of the ways girls learn.
Four women are endowing the chair, two of whom wish to remain anonymous. The other two are Elisabeth A. Hobbs and Emily H. Fisher, both graduates of the education school and members of its visiting committee. The four sponsors donated a total of $2.5 million.