Notes from the Director

Welcome to a new academic year. And welcome to a brand-new "look" for the former Martha's Rag. How did the new name come about? Through an almost unbelievable bit of miscommunication between the new editor, Jen Frazier, and me. I thought we were talking about graphic design when Jen asked if she could change the name. I said, sure, do anything you like, you're the editor! When I saw a draft of this issue with its brave new name and look, I was stunned, and impressed. She explained that a group of current graduate students came up with the new name. So be it. That's how the old name was chosen, sometime in the past (our archives have no details on the birth of Martha's Rag--if anyone has insights, please send them on to Jen).

So what else is new? Lots--new graduate students, new minors, new doctoral concentrations, new faculty, and a new relationship (more on that in a minute). First, I want to highlight and celebrate the energy and presence of our students. You will feel this in the lines of this publication which is written completely by student contributors.

The Columbian School of Arts and Sciences recently approved a new concentration on "Gender and Social Policy" in the doctoral program in Public Policy. Professor Cynthia Harrison is coordinating this concentration. We are near approval, also, for a new concentration in "Women's Studies" within the doctoral program in the Human Sciences. Professor Gail Weiss will be the main advisor for that concentration.

We are delighted to welcome to the GW campus Professor Linda Levy Peck, a renowned historian andspecialist in Shakespearean England.

And what about that new relationship? Over a year in the planning stage, it is now established: the Women's Studies Program and the Institute for Women's Policy Research (a ten-year-old research organization in Washington that is the leading policy research organization focused on women's policy issues). Feminist economist and IWPR director, Heidi Hartmann now carries a GW World card, as do some other staff at the IWPR. More than the symbolic capital enshrined in a GW World card, this partnership means that we will be co-sponsoring important events with IWPR that will help disseminate research findings in both the academic and policy communities in and beyond Washington. The relationship has also generated a new fellowship for a Women's Studies graduate student who will pursue research at IWPR. Professor Cynthia Harrison deserves much credit for helping to make this relationship a reality--thanks, a lot, Cynthia.

As the fall semester winds to a close, we all look forward to the next semester's classes and events, especially the celebration of the Program's 25th anniversary. We are still not quite sure of all the details, but as soon as we have a plan, we will let you know about it. Our planning committee includes representatives from the faculty, alumnae, and current graduate students. If you have ideas about the event, please email me barbar@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu.

Welcome to a new semester at The George Washington University. As a new Women's Studies graduate student, I spent the first few weeks adjusting to my new surroundings. The more I get used to things, the better I will be at reporting events. Read this issue knowing that it is my first effort at editing a newsletter and that future editions will only improve.

I want to put out an offer to everyone interested in women's issues here at GW. I invite you to use this newsletter as a forum in which you can speak to other students, staff, and faculty that concern themselves with Women's Studies.

The only way we can be aware of all the interesting things happening in this city is if you all tell me and by extension tell each other. I cannot cover it all and rely on you to help me tell the whole story of our experiences.

This newsletter is for you and I invite you all to participate in its creation. The more we know individually, the more we can know collectively. To submit material, simply place a hard copy in my box in the Women's Studies office in Funger 506-I, mail it c/o Women's Studies, or email it to frazierj@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu. Thanks to all those who were able to help with this issue. Enjoy!