Women's contributions to Germanics have been overlooked in historical accounts of the profession. This study attempts to provide the first comprehensive analysis of the roles and contributions of women in Germanics in the United States between 1850 and 1950. Specifically, women's involvement in Germanics is examined in three areas - publishing, teaching, and professional service - using the careers of four women as examples.

Due to substantial involvement in pedagogy and methodology, women have had a significant impact in transforming and influencing the curriculum of American Germanics.