Women’s Studies Update
VOLUME XI, NUMBER 2 DECEMBER 2004

COORDINATOR’S CORNER

Some exciting things happened in Women's Studies this semester. Kay Rawson-Swan opened her home up to us so that we could have our Fall Soiree. The gathering offered great food and an opportunity to meet new Women's Studies supporters and to learn new things about each other. We discussed our ideas about Women's Studies - how we learned about it and how it has impacted our lives. Additionally, we learned some interesting things about each other. For example, one of us is an avid equestrian, another took a walking tour of Ireland, and one of us went to law school with Ted Bundy. What a diverse and exciting group! There doesn't seem to be a "typical" Women's Studies supporter.

We were pleased to hear Michael Kimmel’s presentations in November. His visit was a joint venture, with support from Women's Studies, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Honors Program’s Issues Forum. Kimmel, a sociologist, spoke about gender issues impacting everyone’s lives. In his remarks, he encouraged men to partner with women to end violence against women. He emphasized his conviction that gender equality does not represent a loss for men. Rather, he stated that feminism will make it possible for men to be free. It was a delight to have such a dynamic presenter.
Finally, we have begun to work on Women's History month. We invite you to share your ideas with us, helping us plan activities to ensure that diverse women's accomplishments are presented throughout the month.

We look forward to meeting again in the new year. Until then, may you have a peaceful holiday season.

INTRODUCING ….

This month, the WS program is pleased to introduce our new secretary, V icky Koop. Vicky was born in New Mexico and lived there until age13, when she moved to Southern California where she finished high school. As a young bride, she lived in Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and Mississippi before landing in Utah, where she had family.  She has “loved it here ever since” that move in about 1980.
Never having attended college, Vicky finds working at Weber a new and great experience with friendly, helpful colleagues to introduce her to the campus and the WS program. In particular, she “love[s] being around the students.”

In addition, Vicky recently started her own business, selling window treatments for a variety of manufacturers in the area. She had similar work experience previously “but just decided to go for it on my own.” Showing new and different window treatments and mingling with a variety of people from a variety of backgrounds has proved to be very satisfying.
Because her focus has always been on family, she has worked a variety of other jobs around their schedules. An active participant in religious and community activities, she currently works with the youth in her church.

Vicky is the mother of a 28-year-old son, a 27-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son, as well as the stepmother to 4 children acquired by marriage. She also has 7 grandchildren, 6 of whom live out of state, and visits with them are awaited anxiously.
Vicky is a lover of the outdoors and likes to spend time camping and hiking, especially near the ocean or in the mountains. She enjoys sharing outdoor activities with family members – both human and canine.

We are delighted to welcome Vicky and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with her.

* * * * * *

Recent graduate Cassi Meyerhoffer sent “a quick e-mail [to] thank each of you for the incredible education and experiences I received from you.” Cassi credits her WS education with preparing her well for her graduate work by providing classroom knowledge, personal experiences with faculty and guidance in becoming an effective activist. “I miss you all very much and send you all of my gratitude for everything you gave .… My experiences at Weber State and [in] the women's studies program have foreverchanged my life and I will never … forget that.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Associated Actors and Technicians of WSU (AAT) will present V-Day: Until the Violence Stops featuring Eve Ensler's “The Vagina Monologues” Saturday, February 5th at 2:00 and 7:30PM. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults; 90% of the proceeds will be donated to the Ogden YCC Domestic Violence Victim Assistance Center. The remainder of the proceeds will be paid back to the college V-Day campaign. Auditions will be held in early December. Contact Caril Jennings (crjennings@weber.edu) to inquire about auditions -. More information about V-Day can be found at www.vday.org.

The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women will undertake a review and apprais al of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women (1995) and the Outcome of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly (2000) during its 49th session from 28 February to 11 March 2005. The CSW will focus on implementation at the national level, to identify achievements, gaps and challenges, as well as future actions needed to further implementation.

From October 2004 to January 2005, WomenWatch will be hosting online (http://www.un.org/womenwatch/forums/review/) discussions on critical areas of concern and other important issues to provide input into the review and appraisal. The discussions will be facilitated and moderated by members of the Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality.
You can participate in online discussions, to be summarized and submitted to the CSW in February 2005. The summaries will also be posted on the WomenWatch website.

The NIH Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) invites institution al career development award applications for Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) Career Development Programs.

Awards will support research career development of junior faculty members, who have recently completed clinical training or postdoctoral fellowships, and who are commencing basic, translational, behavioral, clinical, and/or health services research relevant to women's health. A letter of intent is due January 22, 2005 and the full application is due February 23, 2005. Visit http://www.asph.org/press/fridayletter/article_view.cfm?FLE_Index=1500&FL_Index=1337 for details.

The Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program brings talented African-American, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native college seniors or recent graduates to Washington, D.C. to work in congressional offices and learn about health policy. Application forms and information about the program are available online: www.kff.org/docs/topics/jordanscholars.html. Application materials are due January 7. For information, contact Jomo Kassayeat (202-238-2385 ; bjscholars@howard.edu.)

Good luck on final exams!
Have a
Happy Holiday
and a restful break.