Montclair State University - Women's Center
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Montclair State University - Women's Center

Welcome to the Women's Center

As a branch of the Division of Student Development and Campus Life, the Women's Center at Montclair State University is a tangible expression of the university's commitment to women's issues and concerns. The full-time staff and peer educators at the Center aid in the education of women and men with respect to their changing roles, rights and responsibilities in today's world. Through student, staff and faculty trainings, workshops, classroom presentations, programs, support and discussion groups, we provide campus outreach on a vast array of issues, including: women's rights and empowerment, feminism, equity and diversity, multiculturalism, gender roles and gender expression, domestic violence, dating and intimate partner violence, interfaith dialogue, the GLBTQ community (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning), sexual assault, sexual harassment, bias, and personal and professional development.

We encourage the personal growth and empowerment of all students through referrals, personal coaching, mentoring services, activism and advocacy. We run under the Dean of Students' office, and we serve as advocates to students on both the academic and personal levels. The Center offers a warm and welcoming environment, safe from discrimination of all types. We are an open-minded Center and we invite all genders, cultures, religions, and sexual identities to join us. We are a GLBTQ Safe Space.

So why do we still need a Women's Center?

While women earn more baccalaureate and masters degrees than men, the median annual earnings for women in the United States is 77 cents to the man's dollar.

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was never ratified to the U.S. Constitution. It was first proposed in 1923. As of 2008, we are still waiting for 3 more states' approval.

4 women die every day as a result of domestic violence. That's a total of 1,400 per year according to the FBI (now.org)

Every year approximately 132,000 women report that they have been victims of rape or attempted rape, and more than half of them knew their attackers. It's estimated that two to six times that many women are raped, but do not report it (now.org)

As of 2006, only 10 women CEO's (chief executive officers) run Fortune 500 Companies (money.cnn.com).

Approximately 17,500 people, mostly women and children, are trafficked into the U.S. for sexual slavery and forced labor annually. Over 200,000 children in the U.S. are at risk for being trafficked annually (polarisproject.org)

Because Women's issues are everyone's issues!

Herstory

The Women's Center was founded in 1972 by Dr. Constance Waller, a dedicated educator and humanitarian. She devoted her life to enhancing opportunities for women. The Center was one of the first women's centers on a university campus in the country, a direct result of the Second-Wave Feminist movement in the United States. Dr. Waller served as Director of the Women's Center for 14 years, and remained involved with the University as a member of the Retired Faculty Committee until her death in 1996.

Today, the Women's Center has expanded into the role of Equity and Diversity Programs, and we aid in the education of students of all genders with respect to your changing roles, rights and responsibilities in today's world. We serve as your advocate on campus, so do not hesitate to drop in, call, or e-mail us for resources, referrals, programs, or just to join in on our many discussion groups. The Center ensures that the beauty and diversity of MSU's campus community is properly represented, and we offer a warm and welcoming environment, safe from discrimination of all types. The continued presence and growth of the Women's Center is a testament to MSU's commitment to women's advancement and equity.