Notes from the Director

Diane Bell

 
Looking back over the Spring semester, we have much to celebrate in Women’s Studies.
  • The Annual Yulee lecture was delivered by Professor Cynthia Enloe to a packed Post Hall at Mt. Vernon College on March 30. Her topic “When Soldiers Rape”, which drew on her new book Maneuvers, held the audience spellbound and the questions demonstrated the sophistication of our students and careful preparation by faculty for the visit. Thanks to all who made the event such a success.
  • The May 6 Annual Alumnae and Women’s Studies Endowment Award luncheon was an opportunity to honor our best and brightest and to hear Sammie Moshenberg, deliver the keynote on “Gender and Hate Crimes” as the first recipient of the “Ruth Osborn Award for Training Women To Make Policy in Women's Interest”. We were delighted that Ruth, one of our founding mothers, was able to be present as we initiated this award.  Congratulations to all the awardees.
  • In the Spring semester there were two more highly successful IWPR/WSTU “Friday Forum” at the National Press Club. The topics “Keep Social Security Secure: Why privatizing Social Security is a Bad Deal for Women” and “Women and the 2000 Presidential Election” drew audiences of 50-80. This series is just one manifestation of our relationship with IWPR - one we hold in high regard.


    
  • Our program had a high profile at Feminist EXPO 2000 with participation from students and faculty. It was a thrill to hear and see our students on the podium and in the audience.
As we look forward there is also much to anticipate.
  • We are well on the way to recruiting a fine group of students to the program for 2000-1.
  • The proposal for a four year joint Masters degree in Women’s Studies and Law won approval from the Dean’s Council in CSAS and the Law School faculty. The program will begin with the incoming students of 2000-1. We are anticipating that this will be a popular program and once again we can claim to be pioneering new territory with this degree. Unfortunately because the Law School requires that the first year of study be with them, in reality Women’s Studies students will not be able to take full advantage of the new joint program until the following year.
  • At the undergraduate level, we anticipate that a major in Women’s Studies will be on line next year.
  • We have also proposed a five year BA/MA in our Women’s Studies and PPol programs. This is contingent on the major being in place.


Have a good summer.
 

 


 
 

Greetings from the Editor

by Kirsten Byerts

 
Hope you are having a good summer.
     
This spring, we had the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of gaining our education in our nation’s capital and realizing what that means for making change in Women’s Studies.
    
While we are accustomed to being in the heart of U.S. politics, we had the chance to see women from around the country come together for a variety of different causes.
    
In April, women marched together, in the IMF/ World Bank protests, concerned about the conditions of others living in third world countries.
    
On Mother’s Day, female celebrities joined other women in the Million Mom March on the Mall promoting gun control. 
    
 		 At the end of May, the Millenium March provided the opportunity for women to support gay and lesbian rights.
    
On October 15, we will have yet another chance to celebrate our womanhood in NOW’s World March of Women.  
     
With so many groups demonstrating in the District on behalf of women, it is difficult not to get caught up in the spirit of one issue, if not multiple causes. If you missed out on the events this spring, don’t worry. There are plenty of opportunities to support women to be had in the future.
     
Pursuing our education at GW has provided us with the knowledge of how to make changes for women. 
     
But  studying in DC is what gives us the opportunity to put that education to work, and make those changes we learn about and yearn for, a reality. oy!


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