Women’s Studies

June 2006
2005-06 Academic Year
Volume XII

 

Weber State University (801) 626-7632

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Text Box: Co-Coordinators Corner .............. 1   2005/2006 in Review ............. 1 Women’s History Month .............. 2 Scholarship Recipients ........ 3 Looking Forward to 2006/2007 ... 3 Women’s Studies Minor Program. 3  

  

Co-Coordinator’s Corner

Text Box: resources and funds available for our students and programs, as well as continuing the many traditions WS regularly offers the campus.  Some of the ways these goals will be accomplished is by having more regular WS faculty interaction, standardizing to some extent the courses we offer, refining our mission statement, seeking the inclusion of more co-listed courses, providing more clarity for the WS 4060 and 4990 courses, expanding our outreach to the community, high schools, and potential minors, making application for grants and seeking more donor funds. There is much to do, as always, but I cannot think of a more worthy place or a more worthy cause with which to spend my

 Text Box: This semester has been enlightening for me beginning my work as Coordinator for Women's Studies.  I have had the wonderful opportunity of working closely with Maria in planning and working on this semester's activities, including Women's History Month and the WS Program Review.  Maria is a great teacher and partner; she has taught me much.  Mostly, she has reinforced my belief that Maria (along with all past coordinators) need to play a big role in the future of Women's Studies at WSU.  Some of my goals for next year include:  Addressing the concerns suggested by the program review, increasing the number of Women's Studies minor students, developing  

 

 

 

Text Box: time and energy.  I look forward to working with each one of you, learning more about you and your ideas about what will make our program grow in numbers and excellence, as well as just enjoying being with the great faculty, students, staff, community members and people associated with Weber State's Women's Studies program.  Thank you ahead of time for all of your support. Please feel free to let me know your ideas or concerns.  My email address is bjohns@weber.edu.   

  

2005/2006 in Review

Text Box: Spellman Smith, explores the history and politics of breast obsession in America. Told from the point of view of Strickwerda who lost her mother to breast cancer as a child, Busting Out challenges the way you think about breasts) and Slim Hopes: Advertising and the Obsession with Thinness both films were followed by discussion lead by Dr. Behringer and Dr. Garza, respectively.  Major Fest and Scholarship Day Women’s Studies was represented at Major Fest and Scholarship Day in 2005.  Various executive council members were available to explain the Women’s Studies program, how the Women’s Studies minor can complement virtually any major and promoted our Scholarship opportunities.   

 Text Box: Annual Women’s Studies Picnic Our 2005 annual Women’s Studies picnic was held on the WSU Campus in the Children’s Center.  This opening picnic is an opportunity for those interested in Women’s Studies to come and discuss current issues and provide feedback and suggestions for the program.  Community members, faculty and Women’s Studies executive council members and supporters were among the invitees.  Though we had a good turnout, we hope to attract more community members for the 2006 picnic.  Love Your Body Day Women’s Studies celebrated Love Your Body Day in 2005 by displaying the portrayal of women in the media in both positive and negative ways in the Diversity Center.  We also showed two films:  Busting Out (a new documentary by filmmakers Francine Strickwerda and Laurel

 

 

 

Text Box: Aspire Higher Conference Women’s Studies was thrilled to be able to contribute $130 in attendance vouchers to students of WSU which enabled them to attend one or both of the events at the Aspire Higher Conference which was presented by Services for Women Students. Five-Year Academic Review A five-year academic program review was undertaken by the Women’s Studies department and yielded valuable insights regarding our strengths and challenges.  A full report will be available in the near future.  WS Executive Council Meetings Women’s Studies Executive Council meetings were held September 14, October 10 and November 14, 2005 and January 27 and February 24, 2006.  Our end of year dinner/meeting was held on April 29, 2006.   

  

 

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 Text Box: Who Said? 1.  ”In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man; if you want anything done, ask a woman.” 2.  “You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.” 3.   “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.” 4.  “I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life -- and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.”  5.  “I want to do it because I want to do it.  Women must try to do things as men have tried.  When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.” 6.  “Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” 7.  “No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.” 8.  “Don't let one cloud obliterate the whole sky.”  9.  “Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the 'Titanic' who waved off the dessert cart.”    

 

Text Box: Answers:  1. Margaret Thatcher; 2. Indira Ghandi; 3. Maya Angelou; 4. Georgia O’Keefe; 5. Emelia Ehrhart; 6. Oprah Winfrey; 7. Hellen Keller; 8. Anais Nin; 9. Erma Bombeck

 

 

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Women’s History Month – March 2006

Text Box: International Women's Day - "Bread and Roses March" A small but dedicated group of students and faculty dressed in black silently marched on campus to highlight worldwide inhumanity, injustice and inequality.  We handed out material about some of these injustices, silver ribbons and pieces of cake to students, faculty and participants during the march from lower campus to the Union Building and at the Mary Lightfine presentation.  Aspire Higher Conference Carolyn Pearson On Friday and Saturday, March 10-11 over 150 attendees attended workshops, panels and performances aimed specifically at women.  Workshops included:  "Spirituality and Relationships,"  "Making Relationships Work,"  "Eliminating Math Anxiety," as well as an evening performance by Carol Lynn Pearson of her acclaimed one-woman show, "Mother Wove the Morning."  “What’s Sex Got To Do With It?” On March 21, Dr. Lauren Fowler  (Neuropsychology) & Dr. Azenett Garza (Social Psychology) gave a presentation to approximately 40 students and faculty on the role of the brain and neuropsychology as well as social learning and societal influences in explaining the differences in male and female behaviors. “Birth Control and Women’s Health Concerns” On March 29, Dr. Heather Major (OB/GYN McKay Dee Women’s Clinic) discussed a wide range of issues regarding female reproductive health at Wasatch Hall on the Ogden campus.  She answered questions from the audience regarding birth control options and sexually transmitted diseases. Women in Business Panel On March 30, Holly Nye Bauman,Kym Buttschardt; Karen Leonardi; Vickie McCall & Janet Peters who are all well-known, successful Ogden business women, discussed their careers and

 Text Box: Women’s History Month 2006 was a great success.  This was due, in large part, to the efforts of our diverse executive council members.  Our members from various disciplines across campus, committed to sponsoring and organizing events that celebrate women’s accomplishments in their respective disciplines.  Following are samples of the wonderful events that were presented: “Utah Pioneer Women in Health Care” Judith Pratt (Nursing) Dr. Judith Pratt, long-time nurse and nursing educator, gave two presentations about the participation of women in nursing, medical care and medical education in Utah beginning with the arrival of Brigham Young and the Mormons in the mid-nineteenth century.  Her first presentation took place at the Davis campus and the second at the LDS Institute for Religion, Ogden campus--both places where Women's Studies has not had much of a presence previously.  Approximately 45 persons attended the Institute presentation including students, institute and WSU faculty, as well as community members. Humanitarian movement – affiliated with Doctors Without Borders and International Medical Corps Mary Lightfine On March 8, Nobel Peace Prize-winning nurse, Mary Lightfine spoke about her international humanitarian efforts in more than a dozen countries in the world, including Somalia, Afghanistan, Kosovar and Southern Sudan.  Mary spoke of the incredibly difficult conditions under which many peoples of the world suffer and encouraged her audience to do more.  Of particular interest to Women's Studies students were her remarks about race, class and gender.  One of her examples included bringing up a male and a female student from the audience and demonstrating what she could tell about them, including race, gender, and social class, based solely on their clothing and accessories.

 

 

Text Box: what has made them so successful.  They gave the audience both personal and professional advice about career choices and "making it" in a man's world. Ralph Nye Lecture Jenifer Ruiz    Executive Director Onda R7 Raised in a bilingual home as the granddaughter of Mexican and Spanish immigrants, Jennifer Ruiz now heads Onda R7, a division of Richter 7, which was created to effectively market to Utah’s Hispanic community. With more than 10 years of marketing experience, she joined Onda R7 after working as an account executive for Univision. Ruiz credits her mother for her ability to face challenges, saying her mother demonstrated persistence, hard work, courage and confidence in her own climb up the corporate ladder. Onda roughly translates as “tidal wave” in English, and Ruiz says, “I see Onda R7 moving ahead of the wave,” in areas such as community involvement and addressing the needs of the Hispanic market. A board member for the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Ruiz also donates her time to the Utah Hispanic Leadership Foundation and Comunidades Unidas. “Five Remarkable Women & the Origins of Modern Astronomy” Brad Carroll (Physics) On May 22, Brad Carroll of the Physics department presented on five women (Caroline Herschel, Annie Jump Cannon, Vera Rubin, Henrietta Swan Leavitt and Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin) who were all major contributors to modern astronomy.  Though astronomy is and was a traditionally male dominated field, these five women made amazing discoveries, including the establishment of a star spectra classifying system, variable stars, ways to measure distances to other galaxies and stars, the rotation of spiral galaxies and nebulae.   

  

 

 

 

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Making Dreams Come True . . .

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Scholarship Recipients 2006/07

Text Box: We are very pleased to have been able to attract a fantastic group of students to the Women’s Studies program and had a record number of scholarship applicants for the 2006/2007 academic year at WSU. Though we were unable to award scholarships to all of the applicants due to limited funds, we were able to award Phoenix Achievement Scholarships to two non-traditional students minoring in Women’s Studies.  We were also able to award textbook scholarships from our Traditional Scholarship fund to two deserving traditional students who are both Women’s Studies minors.   

  

Text Box: During the 2006/2007 academic year, we hope to receive more funding for scholarships which will enable us to make additional awards in the 2007/2008 academic year.  Scholarship applications will be available in the Women’s Studies office in SS381 for both the Phoenix Achievement and Traditional scholarships.  Applications will be due February 1, 2007 to be considered for the 2007/ 2008 academic year.     

  

Text Box: Please mention these scholarships to students who qualify.  We look forward to having many applicants next year!  Scholarship Donations: If you are interested in making a contribution to our Women’s Studies Traditional Scholarship fund, or would like to set up an additional scholarship, please contact the Women’s Studies office.

  

Looking Forward to 2006/2007

Text Box: Looking forward to the 2006/2007 academic year, we have several main events planned in Women’s Studies:  October: ♀   Annual Women’s Studies Picnic ♀    Love Your Body Day ♀    Major Fest December: ♀    Women’s Studies Holiday Social ♀    Scholarship Day

  

Text Box: March: ♀   Women’s History Month Women’s History Month is a month long celebration of Women and their accomplishments throughout history.  Many events will occur during this month across various academic disciplines.  A detailed schedule of events will be produced and made available campus wide. 

  

Text Box: If you have ideas about programs, workshops, co-sponsored events, topics or issues you would like to see Women’s Studies be a part of this year, please contact us as soon as possible.  We are particularly interested in “reaching out” to the community, so any connections, partnerships, co-sponsorship of programs, etc. you may be able to provide information on personal connections for would be greatly appreciated. 

  

Women’s Studies Minor Program

Text Box: areas.  Graduates with a Women’s Studies minor have been accepted to distinguished graduate and professional schools, such as the University of Utah and the Notre Dame University Law School.  Contact the Women’s Studies office for more information. 

 

Text Box: Women’s Studies is devoted to the academic study of women’s roles, contributions and scholarship.  You will be asked to look inside yourself to tackle negativism and look at women’s realities outside of the media and mainstream portrayals.  You will learn to recognize bias and faulty reasoning and

  

Text Box: view issues from multiple angles.  You will be challenge to discover more about yourself and to find ways to make a difference in our society.  You can use a Women’s Studies minor in the business world, law, journalism, social sciences, arts and humanities and other  

  

 

 

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Text Box: Weber State University Women’s Studies Program 1217 University Circle Ogden, UT  84408-1217  Phone:  (801) 626-7632  Fax:  (801) 626-7130   E-mail:  womenstudies@weber.edu Affiliations:  National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) The Southwest Institute for Research on Women (SIROW)

 

Text Box: This is my final newsletter as coordinator.  The past three years have been fast and most rewarding.  I have had the opportunity to work with some incredible faculty, staff, students, and community members. We had one of the most active Women’s History Months this past March with activities from a variety of areas.   We have an incredible Executive Council diligently working on standardization of assessments and advisement as well as planning for activities.   Lisa Araujo was added to our team and has become a tremendous asset.  Her enthusiasm and positive attitude are contagious.  Her attention to detail and student/faculty support are priceless.  We are fortunate to have her.   Becky Johns joined us later with great warmth, energy, and openness to possibilities.  Although I feel some sadness about leaving, I will still be on the Executive Council and am committed to continue support for Becky in her leadership of the Women’s Studies Program.  More importantly, with Becky, Lisa, and all of the wonderful Women’s Studies supporters, I know the program is in great hands. Good luck Women’s Studies!

 

Text Box:   We’re on the Web! See us at: www.weber.edu/womenstudies        

 

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Farewell from María Parrilla de Kokal

 

  

 

  

 

Suggestions/Comments



If you have any suggestions as to activities you would like to see sponsored by Women’s Studies, including films, panels, events, etc. please contact the Women’s Studies office. 

Also, if you have any comments and or suggestions regarding our newsletter, please contact the Women’s Studies office. 

 We value your input!  

Text Box: CUSTOMER NAME STREET ADDRESS CITY, ST  ZIP Code  

 

Text Box: Weber State University Women's Studies Program 1217 University Circle Ogden, UT  84408-1217