BUILDING AN EQUITABLE FUTURE - ODU WOMEN'S CAUCUS CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

Old Dominion University's Women's Caucus celebrates 30 years on campus this October recognizing progress that has been made in hiring, promotion and salary equity, the establishment of day care, sexual harassment policies, the Women's Center and the Women's Studies Department. The group will be hosting a celebration from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 in room 921 of Batten Arts and Letters Building.

"ODU should be proud of what it has done so far in terms of achieving equity, but we need to keep at it," said Ruth Triplett, associate professor of sociology and criminal justice and the caucus's 2003-04 president.

The Faculty Women's Caucus was formed in 1973 in response to concerns about salary inequities and later expanded to become the University Women's Caucus whose concerns include the welfare of women throughout the university. In addition to collecting and monitoring annual data on salary and rank, the caucus counsels individual faculty members and advises administrators on various policies. The caucus partners with other organizations on campus including the Coalition of Black Faculty and Administrators, the Women's Center and the Women's Studies Department to bring speakers to the university on a wide variety of topics including financial management.

"How wonderful to watch this caucus keep evolving," said Carolyn Rhodes, caucus president from 1976-77. "They meet new challenges while never forgetting to watch for lapses from fairness to women. So they show that sisterhood is powerful, and can be creative too. Also they show that monitoring and mentoring, although demanding, can be joyous."

For more information call Triplett at 683-3804.