Grassroots Beginnings
The History of the Women's Studies Program at Western Kentucky University
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Grassroots Beginnings The History of the Women's Studies Program at Western Kentucky University |
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Dear Viewers: Hello everyone. It was decided that this page needed an update since a graduate student has not written anything for several years. Regardless, I am currently the Women’s Studies graduate assistant. As you can see from my picture (and my name for the truly observant viewer) I am a guy. This takes many people by surprise because most individuals assume that all employees of Women’s Studies are female. However, this academic year (2009-2010) I have the privilege to be the first guy to work as a graduate assistant at Women’s Studies. As Heather Bridges noted, Women’s Studies is a fairly young program. However, the passion that the Women’s studies faculty has for teaching, educating, and improving lives is very powerful. Everyone that works here is dedicated to social change, justice for women, and equality. These dedications will certainly help the college grow and develop into a program with a long lasting and rich history. I work mainly on one of the colleges newest initiatives. That is, the Women and Kids Learning Together Camp (I am this year’s camp coordinator). This camp targets women in south central KY. The camp provides underprivileged women with the opportunity to experience personal enrichment, increase their self esteem, and experience an enhanced sense of self efficacy. Through these efforts we hope that these women will pursue higher educational degrees and become active members of the community. As a whole, the camp strives to benefit women and ameliorate each of their lives. Needless to say, the Women’s Studies program will continue to be resilient to antagonists continually improving women and men’s lives. Nick Simmons Picture coming soon!
Dear Viewers: Hi. I am the 2004-2006 Graduate Assistant for the Women’s Studies Program at Western Kentucky University. When our director asked me to research the history of women’s studies at WKU, I expected to be searching through archives that were at least twenty-five years old. I pictured myself blowing dust off yellowed documents and studying pictures of bell-bottomed feminists from the 1960s. I was shocked to learn that the Women’s Studies Program is actually younger than I am! After I complete my MA and leave the hill, when I think of Western I’ll remember the football games and my 11:45 yoga classes. Five years from now, I might be sitting in front of a computer screen, but in my heart I’ll be hiking up the hill, hearing Cherry’s bells chime. Memories last. What I will think of first, however, are the people I have met through the Women’s Studies Program and the “ah-ha” moments we’ve shared. I know now that these moments are possible only because a few dedicated people had an idea and refused to take no for an answer. These web pages are dedicated to those people’s efforts. I would like to especially thank Katie Ward for her dedication to the Women's Studies Program and for her assistance in completing this project. Enjoy. Heather Bridges
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