Universities celebrate past, present and future of Women’s & Gender Equity Centers
Panel discussions begin January 26
Minnesota State University Moorhead will participate in celebrating the groundbreaking work of Women’s & Gender Equity Centers through a series of virtual discussions with other university women’s center directors from the region.
The series kicks off Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. via Zoom, 990 9238 0105. This first discussion focuses on the history of campus-based women’s and gender equity centers in the United States, including the first women’s center in the country, established at the University of Minnesota 60 years ago. MSUM’s Women’s Center and the Women’s Center at St. Cloud State University (SCSU) are both celebrating their 30-year anniversaries.
Sixty years ago, universities across the country had no institutionalized supports for the women enrolling in record numbers, many of whom already had families or were the first in their families to attend college. Women’s Centers changed that, and the state of Minnesota led the way.
Panelists include Anitra Cottledge from the University of Minnesota, Jane Olsen from SCSU, and Dana Bisignani from MSUM. Moderating will be Dr. Alicia Johnson from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Also scheduled:
Wednesday, Feb. 24 | Noon to 1:15 p.m. | Zoom: 946 8709 2861
Students will discuss how women’s centers have shaped their personal, academic and activist development. This is part of SCSU’s Women’s Center’s Women on Wednesday Series.
Tuesday, March 23 | 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. | Zoom: 924 8476 083
The third panel, Forging Feminist Futures, will explore the changing landscape of gender equity in higher education and the work of Women’s Centers in the next 60 years.