Women's Resource Center
The Women’s Resource Center, located in 366 MSC, was established in 2005 to serve as a cultural and educational resource for the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus community. In conjunction with other campus entities, the Center promotes a positive learning environment for all students. The Center is dedicated to bringing attention to social, political, and cultural issues of particular relevance to women. The Center also focuses on issues of gender and culturally constructed gender roles, and provides resources and referrals to those engaged in scholarly or secular research. By providing a visible presence for women and their male allies, and through showcasing programming intended to highlight women’s issues, the Women’s Resource Center helps to foster a cosmopolitan milieu which is conducive to the educational mission of the University, and which actively contributes to equality for women.
The Center maintains a small but growing collection of works focused on feminist theory and history, and women’s culture and issues. Donated by Dr. Suzanna Rose and many other generous members of the campus community, the Rose Archives Women’s Collection is available to all students. A collection of the archive is displayed in the Women’s Reading Room, which is maintained by the Center as a campus safe space. Within the Room, all persons are welcome to learn more about feminist and women’s issues, history, literature, and art.
Additionally, in conjunction with the UM-St. Louis Campus Police Department, the Women’s Resource Center offers a number of self-defense training seminars each year. These seminars, facilitated by a trained self-defense instructor, are free, and open to all students, faculty, and staff. The Women’s Resource Center also offers a free quarterly newsletter, a website, and a collection of free resources, information, and referrals.
Finally, the Center offers a Campus and Community Awareness Program which regularly brings poster presentations, ad campaigns, film festivals, women’s socials, nationally recognized speakers, and poetry readings to campus. Sponsored and/or co-sponsored events for Women’s History Month, Hate Crimes Awareness, Domestic Violence Awareness, Sexual Assault Awareness, and World AIDS Day are held on campus throughout the academic year. All members of the community are welcome at these events.
RESOURCES ON CAMPUS :
The Institute of Women’s and Gender Studies (http://www.umsl.edu/~iwgs/index.html)
Description: Located in 212 Clark Hall, The Institute of Women’s and Gender Studies offers both undergraduate and graduate certificates, various resources, scholarships, and awards that promote the exchange of knowledge among people of different genders, classes, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and cultural conditions.
The Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life (http://www.umsl.edu/~iwpl/)
Description: The Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life, offering a number of training programs and information, was founded in the fall of 1996 on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis to assist women in developing the interest and skills necessary to succeed as full participants within government, serving in elected and appointed office as well as employed policy makers.
Counseling Services (http://www.umsl.edu/services/counser/)
Description: The mission of Counseling Services is to assist students, staff and faculty to define and accomplish their personal and academic goals through counseling, consultation, educational outreach programs, teaching and training. We are committed to tailoring our services to the needs of a culturally diverse campus population.
OTHER RESOURCES :
American Association of University Women (http://www.aauw.org/)
Feminist.com (http://www.feminist.com/)
Feminist Majority Foundation (http://www.feminist.org)
National Women’s Health Resource Information (http://www.healthywomen.org/)
Third Wave Foundation (http://www.thirdwavefoundation.org/)
V-Day (http://www.vday.org)