who chose to spend their lives living with other women. She attributed this trend to "the less responsible psychologists and psychiatrists of the day", who voiced "disrespect for spinsters in the teaching profession as 'inhibited' and 'frustrated'". Gildersleeve used "celibate" to describe her status. International Federation of University Women Gildersleeve and Spurgeon met just after the First World War ended, when a delegation of British educators came to the United States. Caroline Spurgeon, a highly respected Shakespeare scholar who published many books and papers about both Chaucer and Shakespeare, taught at Bedford College for Women, part of the University of London. They collaborated in establishing an organization that would foster international cooperation among like-minded academic women. Gildersleeve imagined an organization built on the model of the American Association of Collegiate Alumnae and the British Federation of University Women. In 1919, they created the International Federation of University Women (IFUW), housing it in London with a second home in Paris at Reid Hall. For two decades, between World War I and World War II, Gildersleeve worked through the IFUW to keep alive the spirit of international understanding, even as isolationism gripped her country. They believed that the women of the world could make change by discussion with and learning from each other. Tributes In 1969, eleven members of the International Federation of University Women founded the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund (VGIF).(See http://www.vgif.org). To date, the fund has awarded more than 400 grants for a total project aid disbursement of more than US$1.8 million to women's groups in low-per-capita-income countries. Priority is given to income generation and community development projects that enhance and exercise women's educational, vocational, and leadership skills. Project activities range from seminars, conferences, and training workshops, to community-action projects. Published works (essays) References Brown., C.F. 2000 Gildersleeve, Virginia Crocheron. American National Biography Online. Oxford University Press External links 1877 births 1965 deaths Anti-Zionism in the United States Columbia University faculty Barnard College faculty Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences alumni Barnard College alumni Recipients of the Legion of Honour Graduate Women International Brearley School alumni Academics from New York (state) People from New York City WAVES (Navy)