Barbara Warne Newell (born August 19, 1929)[1] is an economist, career professor, and higher education administrator.

George Newell developed cancer in 1963 and died weeks later, leaving Barbara a single mother with a young daughter and an Assistant Professorship.

[11] During Newell's time as Acting Vice President at the University of Michigan, the school marked its 100th anniversary of the admission of their first female student, Madelon Stockwell, in 1970.

[12] Amid the social turmoil of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the university was being closely watched due to allegations by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) regarding discrimination in female employment and admissions.

In response, Newell formed another committee and led efforts to create a more education-based celebration spanning an October weekend.

During the two-day teach-in, events including various panel discussions and workshops educated attendees on women's history and place in the university.

[12] This event at the University of Michigan is one notable example of the work Newell put in to ensure women were receiving the education and resources of their male academic counterparts.

Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex by educational institutions that receive federal funding, was enacted in June 1972, the first year of Newell's presidency at Wellesley College.

Since then,[16] the WCW have completed and continue to perform extensive research[17] and innovative projects to promote gender equality, social justice, and human well-being.

Newell's impact lasts to this day, and the Centers serve as a leading institution that takes action on various topics, such as education, child care, economic security, mental health, youth and adolescent development, gender-based violence, leadership, economic security, and society.

On June 21, 1974, Newell and Federation President Irene Tinker quoted regarding the grant from the Carnegie Corporation: “The activities of the Center will provide a unique opportunity to study the subtle discrimination that women face in their career aspirations and choices and to develop effective programs to overcome such obstacles.