With the passage of Public Law 100-9 on March 12, 1987, Congress established March as Women’s History Month to honor the many contributions American women have made to our nation. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of that decree, we highlight some of UCI’s female faculty members who are currently making history.

Very few people can match the accomplishments of Vicki Ruiz, Distinguished Professor of history and chair of Chicano/Latino studies. The first in her family to earn an advanced degree, she is widely credited with helping to create the field of Chicano/Latino history. An engaging teacher, dedicated researcher and inspiring storyteller, Ruiz has written extensively about the role of Mexican American women in the history of the U.S. Southwest and West Coast. In 2012, she became the first Latina historian inducted into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Three years later, Ruiz was awarded the 2014 National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama at the White House – making her the first UCI recipient of the nation’s highest humanities honor.

Read more about Ruiz's incredible accomplishments and keep an eye out for other featured UCI faculty for this Women's History Month.