University System of Maryland Women's Forum

OUR HISTORY

​A new era began in Maryland in 1988 when the State created the University System of Maryland

(USM), uniting eleven separate universities and colleges and two research institutes. This time also

marked a new era for women in the USM when Fay-Tyler M. Norton, wife of Interim Chancellor

James A. Norton, founded the USM Women's Forum on December 3, 1989.

At that time, most USM Institutions didn't have an organized group to address issues of special

concern to women. Serving as an advisory group to the Chancellor, the Women's Forum became

the first organization to represent the various communities of women including students, faculty,

and staff.