Julia Boyer Reinstein (November 3, 1906 – July 18, 1998) was an American teacher and historian who grew up in western New York and began her career teaching in Deadwood, South Dakota.

[9][10] Her mother's family were prominent in rural western New York, where her grandfather, Frederick H. Smith, worked as a cattleman, lawyer, and banker.

[12] When she graduated in 1928 with a bachelor's degree and a teaching certificate, Boyer moved to Deadwood, South Dakota, to live with her father and step-mother, Sarah Isabel (née Rouch).

She developed numerous flirtations with other women, and while she was open about her sexual attraction with her family and intimate circle, she remained very discreet, as was dictated by the times.

[15][16] Her father, who often flew in his private plane to inspect the power plants he managed throughout Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota,[15] supported her affairs, and even helped arrange them.

When she decided to continue her education in Chicago, her father did not want her to leave and used his influence to help her obtain employment in the Deadwood school system.

During their summer breaks, the couple rented an apartment in New York City, to facilitate their taking master's courses at Columbia University.

[26] After teaching in New York state for a decade, Boyer Reinstein worked for a year and a half at the University of Buffalo in the history department.

[28][29] Boyer Reinstein was active in multiple endeavors, serving as vice chair of the Cheektowaga Public Library board and as a member of the Erie County Historical Preservation Committee.

[35] In 1990, Boyer Reinstein began a series of donations to her alma mater to enable Elmira College to establish the Department of Women's Studies.