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1974
West Chester University Women's Center established.
Dr. Pamela Hemphill named as the first director.
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1977
In the fall of 1977, Dr. Jane Swan became the new director of the Women's Center on
a half time basis. She insisted upon a reliable budget, a central location on campus,
and the promise of a graduate assistant. By August of 1978, a new home was found in
the Learning Research Center, Room 139. The Center also had a staff of Dr. Swan (half
time), three graduate assistants, and one or two Social Welfare senior placement students.
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1979
One of the most pressing needs expressed by campus women was affordable childcare.
As a result, Women's Center leaders created a free drop-in Children's Center in the
fall of 1979. The drop-off center for children was first run by sorority women, then
staffed by work-study students. By 1984-85, the drop-in childcare program had achieved
enough support and funding to be established as a licensed childcare center. The Children's
Center eventually achieved adequate university support to become an entity separate
from the Women's Center and is now located in the ground floor of McCarthy Hall. Sandra
Jones became the Children's Center Director in November of 1987.
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1981
In the spring of 1981, Dr. Swan returned to full time teaching in the History Department,
and Dr. Joan Hasselquist took over as Director. In 1981-82, the Women's Center moved
to its current home in room 100 (renumbered as 220) of Lawrence Center. It was now
better located to communicate and collaborate with the Counseling Center, Career Development
Center, Academic Advising, Continuing Education, and the Learning Assistance Resource
Center.
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1983
In 1983, the Women's Center Director position increased to a three-quarter time position,
and Mary McCullough, a trained social worker and counselor, became the director. She
held the position until the fall of 1986.
Although the Women's Center at WCU was not the first, it became a role model for other
schools in the years to follow. Women involved with the Women's Center met with one
another to discuss mutual problems. More than just talk, they developed an informational
newsletter, surveyed the campus to identify women's issues, and found solutions collectively.
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1987
In the years to follow, the Women's Center intensified its commitment to addressing
the all-too-common problem of sexual and relationship violence. Programming around
sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and rape prevention as well as victim assistance
became the focus of the Center's activities under the direction of Robin Garrett,
who served as director of the Women's Center from the spring of 1987 to the fall of
2008.
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2002
Women's Center hosts the first Take Back the Night March. This march is an annual
anti-violence event at WCU for women and men. The event kicks off with a short rally
followed by an empowerment march for women. Men who support anti-violence are encouraged
to attend a bystander intervention workshop led by other male students. Afterward,
there will be a "speak out" in the Women's Center where people will be able to share
their own experiences with violence and support one another.
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2009
In January of 2009, Dr. Adale Sholock inherited this rich history of feminist activism
by becoming the first full-time director of the Women's Center. Throughout her career
as director,she continued the important work of sexual and relationship violence prevention
while also expanding the role of the Women's Center to meet the diverse needs of the
women of West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
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2014
In the fall of 2013, Dr. Sholock left the position, and Alicia Hahn-Murphy, Director
of Wellness Education, took over as the Interim-Director of the Women's Center. In,
2014 Alicia Hahn-Murphy was named the first full-time, 12 month director.
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2015
The Women's Center added the first Coordinator for Healthy Masculinity and Violence
Prevention Programming.
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2016
The name of the department changes from Women's Center to Center for Women & Gender
Equity after a thoughtful discussion with multiple campus stakeholders and a departmental
self study process.
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2019
Center for Women & Gender Equity moves to its new permanent location, Lawrence Center
214. This new location includes a lounge space, a computer lab and private offices
of all full-time team members.
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2019
Center for Women & Gender Equity launches new programs and initiatives including Rams
Step Up, EqualiTea Speaker Series, and revamps Situationship (consent education programming).
New micro-learning strategies are also implemented through social media channels (ex.
#MascMondays) and monthly newsletter.
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2020
Center for Women & Gender Equity in collaboration with community partners launches
the annual Gender Justice Conference.
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2020
Center for Women & Gender Equity expand offerings for Newcombe Scholars and student
parents.
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2021
WCUPA awarded PA It's On Us Grant .
