What is the Millie Lawson Women’s Resource Center? If students have not heard of it, perhaps it’s because they can’t find it. A room smaller than where the photo copy machine is kept, the Millie Lawson Women’s Resource Center is home to the Women’s Studies program.
Named after a former English professor who helped establish the program, the resource center holds books, movies, magazines and journals related to gender issues. Offered as a minor course of study, Women’s Studies consist of six classes that explore the issues women in different cultures face today.
The director of the program, Dr. Robin Field, works alongside professors from different departments to try and raise awareness as well as recruit more students to get involved.
“Women’s studies aren’t just for women,” says Field. “We talk about gender issues as a whole and I’d like to see more men get involved.”
The focus of the program is to inform students about the rules of gender by taking important focuses in many subjects such as sociology and criminal justice. The program also likes to acknowledge women’s health issues, such as breast and cervical cancer. In addition to the academics, Field tries to promote the program by having special trips to conferences as well as movie nights on campus. This past week, the program held a viewing of Bend It Like Beckham.
“I chose the movie because it’s so empowering and shows a strong link to sports,” says Field. “There’s also not enough media representation of strong athletic women and this did a great job of that.”
Field explains how she would like the undergraduates to feel free to stop in to the resource center at anytime. Starting this week, there will be a schedule of all the hours the center will be open.
In the future, the professors hope to relocate to a bigger room and create a place for students to hang out and relax. The schedule for the resource center is Mondays and Wednesdays 12:30-3 PM, Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-4 PM, and Fridays 10-12 AM. If any student is interested in learning more about the program and getting involved, please contact Dr. Field. |
