Gerda Hedwig Lerner (April 30, 1920 – January 2, 2013) was an American historian and author. In addition to scholarly publications, Lerner wrote poetry, fiction, theater pieces, screenplays, and an autobiography. She served as president of the Organization of American Historians in 1980-81 and in 1980 was appointed Robinson Edwards Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she taught until retiring in 1991.Lerner was one of the founders of the field of women's history.