Gerda Lerner is the historian known for her work on the roles of women in ancient civilizations. Through her research, Lerner has illuminated the contributions of women throughout history, challenging traditional narratives that often marginalize their impact. She dedicated her career to the study of women's history, creating academic programs and advocating for women's studies as a legitimate field. Lerner's work has significantly shaped the understanding of gender dynamics in historical contexts and has paved the way for future scholarship in this area.