Michele “Mike” Wilson, Ph.D., was an award-winning faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Sociology and launched the Women’s Studies Program. She researched numerous topics, including abortion rights, activism in government, and civil rights, and she served as an active member of the Southern Sociology Society. According to her colleagues, she also strongly advocated for women graduate students and faculty members.

“When I arrived at UAB, Dr. Wilson was the only female faculty member [in the department]. She was steadfast in her commitment to women and social justice,” said Patricia Drentea, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Sociology. “She led many classes and projects that helped students understand how gender affects them. She also supported those who had survived violence against women, leading initiatives such as the T-Shirt Project and Take Back the Night. Students (both men and women) flocked to her leadership, advocacy, and classes.”

Wilson retired as an associate professor in 2008, and, afterward, she continued to work for and engage with the department. Sadly, Wilson passed away on May 30, 2021. Her colleagues wrote a thoughtful remembrance of her.

Wilson generously donated a significant portion of her estate to the Department of Sociology with the goal of supporting women’s studies within the department. Her gift will help the department recruit and hire a new faculty member whose scholarship focuses on women, gender, and health.

“The Department of Sociology is delighted and humbled to accept this wonderful gift from Dr. Wilson,” said Verna Keith, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Sociology. “We are looking forward to using these funds in ways that live up to her dedication to women at UAB and in the community.”

“This gift is such a surprise, and yet in some ways it is not,” said Drentea. “Mike wanted to make sure that the sociology department continued to do its work in understanding inequality and applying those lessons to real life.”

The department recently announced the associate professor position. Interested applicants can access the announcement and learn more about the position.

The College and the Department of Sociology are both grateful to Dr. Wilson for her generous gift.