What's a Women's Center?
What’s a Women’s Center?
Our Mission
The Women's Center offers programs and services designed to promote gender equity and address the unique challenges and opportunities female students encounter in the pursuit of higher education. Recognizing the critical role that both women and men play in promoting a safe environment free of gender bias, Center programs are designed to educate and inspire all students to achieve their personal, academic and professional potential.
How can I get involved?
· Become a volunteer and help plan or assist with events and social norms campaigns related to gender equity and social justice
· Become an M-POWER Peer Educator & get trained to talk to your peers about healthy relationships
· Attend any of our events and learn about various issues impacting women & the community
· Interview our knowledgeable staff or pick up brochures on various issues for class projects
· Have your student organization co-sponsor an event with us related to women’s issues
· Receive advocacy through our S.A.F.E. Program if you or a friend have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking and sexual harassment
· Participate in our Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD)
· Apply for one of our internship experiences
· Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr & Instagram @oduwomenscenter and share our posts and events with your friends
What issues does the Women’s Center address?
· Women’s leadership
· Advocacy & support for victims of sexual or relationship violence to include women, men & transgendered students
· Self-esteem & empowerment
· Body Image
· Objectification of women in the media
· Pay equity
· Women’s health
· Feminist activism & social justice
· Support for adult women students
· Support for female military students
· Other various women’s issues
What is Feminism?
Feminism is theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminism) Feminism is NOT the hatred or oppression of men.
Is the Women’s Center only for women?
Are men welcome at the Women’s Center?
YES! We are designated as a Women's Center because our mission addresses the special challenges and opportunities women encounter, but we also seek to create a world that is free of gender bias and empower all students to achieve their potential. We cannot achieve this objective without our male allies! While men are always welcome to visit our office, attend our programs, and meet with our counselor, there are special offerings designated "for women only" (Ex: W.I.L.D., self-defense classes, or Women’s Adventure Trips).
How can I become a male ally?
· Pick up one of our Man of Quality t-shirts and wear it proudly around campus
· Participate in Walk A Mile In Her Shoes, Red Flag and White Ribbon Campaigns to bring awareness to and call for an end to sexual and relationship violence
· Become a volunteer and help plan and assist with events addressing gender equity
· Become an M-POWER Peer Educator & talk to your peers about ending violence against women
· Call out injustice when you see it and let the Women’s Center know of any inequality on campus
Why isn’t there a Men’s Center?
For the most part, men (particularly straight, white men) have not been discriminated against and have not had to continually fight for equal rights. History has focused primarily on the achievements and contributions of men, having largely ignored women. So, in essence, society and social, educational, political and religious institutions have served as "men's centers." We welcome men to volunteer, become M-POWER Peer Educators, attend our events, and be our allies in ending violence against women and promoting gender equality.
If you’re interested in discussing healthy masculinity, contact Andrew Jatau (zjatau@odu.edu) in the Office of Counseling Services who has created the Monarch Men student organization. The Women’s Center will be collaborating with them throughout the year.
We provide support and counseling to anyone who has experienced sexual and relationship violence, including men. Contact our S.A.F.E. Advocates for more information.
What about LGBTQ students?
Everyone is welcome in the Women’s Center! For our LGBTQ students we partner with the ODU Safe Space Committee, ODU Out and the LGBT Center of Hampton Roads to provide support for victims of sexual or relationship violence. We also support programs promoting equality and social justice for members of the LGBTQ community. Visit our office to find out more about getting involved with us!
Women's Center
1000 Webb Center
(757) 683-4109
womenctr@odu.edu
http://www.odu.edu/womenscenter
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Tumblr @oduwomenscenter
WC.general.info_final.pdf (54.6 KB)
Posted By: Teyshana Lowery
Date: Mon Apr 04 08:36:13 EDT 2016