Career
Graduating from Barnard College in 1899, she became instructor in English there from 1900 to 1907 and professor of English and dean of the college from 1907 to 1947. Gildersleeve was in part responsible for the setting up of the International Federation of University Women in 1919. She was active in international education and was a member of the United States Commission to Study the Organization of Peace, as well as a delegate to the organizational meeting of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945. A professorship in her honor was established at Barnard College in 1957 marking her 80th birthday.