Marshalltown

I've been fortunate enough to be put in contact with recent graduates from the program I'm entering this fall, most of whom are female. I myself am female, entering a field which continues to have problems with sexism. For my own mother who attended grad school, she has warned me about the possibility of professors or internship managers/field work directors who are creepy, discriminatory, etc.
Is it appropriate or a good idea in general to ask students about their experiences in the program or on campus with sexism? Has anyone else done this or wish that they had?

I got accepted recently for an MA program in Applied Archaeology at IUP (Indiana U of Pennsylvania). Still waiting to hear from University of Oklahoma - fingers crossed!

You all are intimidating me massively. Because, I am so late into this game. I've just started the plan of attack and haven't even taken the GRE yet!

My experience matches farflung's. You may be able to count on a consultation or maybe assisting them with a "loose ends" kind of project that they're just now getting around to, but you absolutely should not apply to any program specifically to work with an emeritus/emerita professor.

Emeritus faculty are listed on department webpages as a formality. In my program, I don't know of a single grad student who has ever worked with retired faculty. Perhaps consultations, but not in any official capacity. I've even been told not to put professors on my committee that are within a few years of retirement, since retired faculty are unlikely to write letters and do the hard leg work of getting you a job post-graduation.

From my understanding, it usually depends on the professor in question.  Most of them probably won't be willing to take on graduate students but will be willing to sit in on the committee or something of the sort.  I'd say just email them and ask if they are willing to accept graduate students or participate in another capacity.