This Friday, the long-standing Women’s Center at the University of Connecticut invited members and students to celebrate their 52nd birthday on the fourth floor of the Student Union. From 12 to 2 p.m., the center was open to anyone who wanted to stop by and grab drinks, cupcakes, play games or learn more about the Women’s Center and the services that they provide.
The Women’s Center has been upholding a dedication to women’s safety and comfort on campus since 1972, but began organizing in the 1960s amidst the civil rights movement. They initially started as the Free Women’s Collective and worked for many years to establish a physical space on campus for members to meet. Elizabeth Roper eventually was able to provide a temporary space in the Bishop Center. Later, strong activism efforts allowed for several collectives to be formed, including the Black Women’s Collective, Child Care Collective, Counseling Collective, Lesbian Collective, Library Collective and Writers’ Collective.
According to their website, the Women’s Center is dedicated to promoting an “anti-racist feminist perspective which includes an analysis of the intersectionality between various forms of oppression.” They define feminism as “the belief that all women have the right to control their bodies and destinies; the right to have a life free of violence and abuse; the right to equal protection under the law; including equal access to education, employment, and power.” This was strongly reflected in their celebration on Friday, as they openly welcomed all different types of students who were interested in learning more about the center. They created a calm and peaceful atmosphere, promoting a strong sense of welcomeness to anyone who wanted to visit.
I got the chance to speak with a member of the Women’s Center’s Violence Against Women Protection Program, or VAWPP, which is one of their many services and programs dedicated to addressing and preventing all forms of sexual violence through education, outreach and advocacy. “As soon as they came into my classroom and did their presentation, I was like, that’s what I want to do. I knew I wanted to help improve the UConn community through consent and sexual assault education” said Izabella Neiger, a third-semester psychology and English double major.
“I love the people, I love the space, I love the programs we have, I love all our events and how welcoming it is, I love everything about the Women’s Center,” Neiger added. It was clear from speaking with her that the Women’s Center is a place where anyone can go and be met with endless support and kindness by the people who work and operate there.
Some of the other services I learned about included Between Women, a discussion group for queer or questioning women. Participants discuss fun topics, movies and more to find a sense of security with women who share similar experiences. In-Power is another, described as a support group welcoming victim-survivors of sexual assault or intimate partner violence to speak about their healing process. These groups are just two of many more services offered by the Women’s Center.
For more information about UConn’s Women’s Center, visit womenscenter.uconn.edu, or visit the Women’s Center on the fourth floor of the Student Union.