Ohio University Women's Center

The Ohio University Women's Center is part of the Office of Diversity, Access and Equity at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. The Women's Center opened in February 2007 with the opening of the university's John Calhoun Baker University Center.[1]

Mission statement

The mission of the Ohio University Women's Center is to act as a catalyst to promote awareness, education, and advocacy about women, gender, diversity, and related issues among faculty, staff, and students at the university and its surrounding communities.

The Center provides students, faculty, and staff with information, services, and programs that address matters of particular concern to women, while exploring the connections among gender, race, economic status, sexual orientation, culture, religion, political views, and other significant elements in relation to women's individuality and collective identity.

Through a commitment to educate and advocate, the Women's Center provides opportunities for campus involvement while attending to the specific needs and concerns of women at Ohio University.[2]

Staff

The Women's Center has three full-time employees: a director, a survivor advocacy program coordinator, and a women's center program coordinator.

Each year the center hires a number of graduate and undergraduate student workers and interns. There is also a volunteer program.

Programming

Brown Bag Lunch & Learn Every Thursday at noon, the center invites a guest to lead a Brown Bag Lunch & Learn, a "talk back" event which is less formal than a typical lecture. Guests include Ohio University faculty and staff, students and student groups, community members and sometimes writers or activists from out of town.

Mentoring Program The Mentoring Program is an opportunity for junior and senior female students at Ohio University to connect with a female mentor in their personal and professional fields of interest. The goal of the program is to enrich the female undergraduate experience at Ohio University and to pair students with a mentor who can offer guidance and assist them in reaching their personal and professional goals.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is the International men's march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence that the Women's Center has participated in since 2008. During Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, male participants will be walking a mile on campus in women's shoes to raise awareness about the role men play in preventing sexual assault. Female volunteers can participate as sideline support.

Love Your Body Day Love Your Body Day is a national campaign that stresses the importance of positive body image. Participants since 2008, the Women's Center tables on Love Your Body Day, encouraging women to write down and share what they love about their bodies and a symposium in the evening featuring different speakers followed by an Indulgence Party, where attendees bring a favorite dish to share.

International Women's Day International Women's Day is a festival that is celebrated nationally every year on the Sunday closest to March 8. The Women's Center began participating in International Women's Day in 2009. The Festival provides an opportunity for the campus community to highlight women's and girl's achievements, to reflect on the status of women and to project into women's future. Many participate in the festival, including American and international students, faculty, staff, community, and family members.

References

  1. ↑ Sudar, Anna (February 12, 2007). "Community gathers to dedicate first women's center since 1970's". The Post (Athens, OH). Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  2. ↑ "Our Mission". www.ohio.edu. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
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