About Us
Women's Center History
The Fall 2005 Women's Center Staff
The UVa Women's Center was founded in 1989 to serve University students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members, highlighting leadership development, research, scholarship, art, counseling, and public service by and for women. The Center has become a national model for effective outreach to women.
From its beginning with only one staff member, the Center has grown into a unique organization with 36 full- and part time employees as well as 70 volunteers. Last year, over 16,000 individuals were served by Center programs. Our programs, services, and research - some of which are highlighted below - are nationally recognized for their extraordinary excellence. They change people's lives.
Programs
The Young Women Leaders Program, cosponsored by the Curry School of Education, links local middle school girls with University undergraduate women who have been selected for their leadership qualities and commitment to mentoring.
The Diversity and Advocacy Internship Program teaches students how to create change. Interns are part of the Center's core staff and work on the website and print publications; coordinate the legal clinic; and organize events. Summer study also offers UVa students the opportunity to see how many women in other countries meet the many challenges before them.
Annual Events
Susan G. Grossman Memorial Lecture
National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Awards
The Zintl Leadership Award, The Center's Elizabeth Zintl Leadership Award honors the late writer and journalist, Elizabeth Zintl, who served as chief of staff to President John T. Casteen III until her death in 1997. The Zintl Award is supported by a gift from the late David A. Harrison III and recognizes extraordinary women employees at UVa who shape the lives of faculty, staff and students and mirror ZintlŐs commitment, creativity and dedication..
The Distinguished Alumna Award was established to recognize a female graduate of the University of Virginia who has demonstrated excellence, leadership and extraordinary commitment to her field, and who has used her talents as a positive force for change.
Services
Personal and Career Counseling is provided free of charge for individuals dealing with life and career transitions, relationship issues, sexuality, eating and body image concerns, and other issues. The Center also offers support groups and traveling workshops that address relationship issues, sexuality, alcoholism, caregiving for elders, self-esteem, and many other topics.
The Sexual and Domestic Violence Services (SDVS) Office offers support for both women and men who have been sexually assaulted or have experienced dating/domestic violence.
The Free Legal Clinic provides professional legal advice to community members and University employees.
Research
Iris magazine is the Center's award-winning, nationally acclaimed publication with a readership of over 2,500. It presents an array of young women's voices in fiction, poetry, art, news, book reviews, and essays while providing hands-on publishing experience for students, who edit the magazine.
The Jill T. Rinehart Library houses a rich collection of media devoted to women's history, literature and art, as well as legal, health, and political issues.
People
Four full-time faculty members staff the Women's Center - Director, Associate Director, Director of Mentoring and Diversity Programs, and Director Sexual and Domestic Violence Services. The Center also has two part-time faculty members: Director of Counseling and Director of Development. The Staff includes a full-time office manager, Executive Assistant to the Director, Assistant to the Associate Director, and the Webmistress.
All other positions are filled by many student interns. The Center prides itself on its dual role as a service provider and teaching institution. Our interns gain valuable real-world experience as they enrich the Center's operations. Click here to learn more about the internship program.
The Center also receives support from an Advisory Council and National Council. The UVa Women's Center Advisory Council was established in the early 1990s and draws its membership from the University and Charlottesville communities. The Advisory Council works with the Center to articulate its core values, evaluate its programs, solicit leadership annual gifts, provide education and outreach, assist with publications, and celebrate and support women at UVa and beyond. The newly created UVa Women's Center National Council has members throughout the country who work to organize events in key alumni cities and provide assistance to the Center's long range planning process.