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Wright State established a women's
center in 1993 in order to put into action the university's
commitment to creating an environment where women receive
equal opportunities and are more supported, encouraged and
less isolated than what has been documented historically.
As a direct result, the Women's Center plays an integral role
in the university community's adherence to its mission and
diversity statements. Especially addressed by the Center is
Wright State's commitment to promoting a sense of community
and achieving and environment in which personal dignity and
respect for every individual are recognized by all.
Below is a brief timeline of women's issues and the
Women's Center at Wright State University:
1970's
"Women in the 70s," the first course about
women's issues, is taught at Wright State in 1972. In
the same year, Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan separately
visit Wright State; in 1973, Caroline Bird visits campus.
1980's
The Wright State Organization for Women (WOW) is formed in 1985
to address and promote the interest of women employees at
Wright State University. A task force of WOW, established
in 1986 to study child care on campus, plays a major role
in the creation of the child care center. In 1987, WOW advocates
to send university representatives to Bryn Mawr's Annual
Summer Institute for Women in Higher Education. In 1988, WOW sponsors a Women in the Arts Show. In 1989, WOW established
a scholarship for women students. All of the programs described
continue to this day.
The Wright State Branch of the American Association of University
Women is founded. AAUW sponsors monthly programs on women's
issues and is responsible, with WOW and the Women's
Center, for WSU's elaborate Take Our Daughters to Work program, which annually brings to campus daughters of WSU
employees as well as pairs girls from area schools with WSU
mentors. AAUW raises funds for its Educational Foundation
and disseminates information about the latest research on
girls, women, and education.
1990's
In June 1991, members are appointed to the Task Force on the
Status of Women in the Academy at Wright State University.
The establishment of this task force was precipitated by a
letter writing campaign by a woman in the community, Gertrude Chasens of Yellow Springs,Ohio, demanding
that WSU have a women's studies program. In February
1993, the Task Force submits a report on the Status of Women
in the WSU Academy; a section of the report outlines the need
for a women's center.
The Women's Center opens in February 1993 with Dr. Mary
Beth Pringle as Interim Director. Dr. Paulette Olson served
a year as director until Kelli Zaytoun is hired in February
1995. Cindy Vanzant joined the staff in 1994, and is still
at the Center today! The Center is located in the basement
of Rike Hall and implements many of its excellent programming
that still occurs today such as the Monday Film Series, Women
Faculty Rendezvous (with Women's Studies), and Women's
History Month programming.
2000's
The Women's Center continues to grow and further establish its programs and services. Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is expanded and many prominent women including Carol Moseley Braun, Jean Kilbourne, Rebecca Walker, and many others visit campus. The Women's Center moves to the first floor of Millett Hall in order share programming and administrative space with the Asian/Hispanic/Native American Center, the Bolinga Black Cultural Resources Center, African and African American Studies, and the Women's Studies Program. New staff people are hired as well; after Dr. Kelli Zaytoun becomes director of Women's Studies and Dr. Colleen Finegan serves as interim director for a year, Amber Vlasnik is hired in December 2005 to be the director of the Women's Center. The Center hired Shaunte Russell as its first part-time Program Assistant in September 2006. In 2008, the Women's Center will celebrate 15 years of service to the university and surrounding community.
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