University of Virginia Women's Center

We're proud to announce our lineup of events for the Fall:

"Innovations in Community-Based Global Development"
A Talk by Baroness Emma Nicholson (above)
September 10, 2012, 5:00 p.m.
Solarium, Colonnade Club
Reception Following
RSVP by September 7, 2012

Baroness Emma Nicholson is the founder of the global foundation AMAR International and AMAR U.S., dedicated to projects in medicine, public health, education, water, and women's and girls' well-being. She is a member of the House of Lords. In the European Council she holds leadership positions in All-Party Parliamentary Groups for Human Trafficking; for Foreign Affairs; and for Economic Development in Iraq & the Region.

Emma Nicholson has served as a member of the European Union Election Observation Missions to Palestine; Azerbaijan; Afghanistan; Yeman (Chief Observer, 2006, 2012); Lebanon; Armenia; and Pakistan.

She is Vice President of the Booker Prize Foundation, and founded the Caine Prize for African Writing.

RSVP to Carol Gilbert, ceg6a@virginia.edu.

September Legal Clinic
Tuesday, September 18
7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m
U.Va. Women's Center

The Legal Clinic is staffed by professional attorneys who offer pro bono legal counseling to Charlottesville community members and University employees. During the 2012–2013 academic year, the clinic will be held on the third Tuesday of every month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information and/or to schedule a half-hour appointment, please call 434.982.2361, or email Amanda Swanson als9pj@virginia.edu or Megan O’Donnell meo3md@virginia.edu.

2012 Elizabeth Zintl Leadership Award Reception: Anda L. Webb
Thursday, September 20, 2012
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Auditorium of the Harrison Institute/Small Collections Library.

Join us for reception honoring Anda L. Webb as the recipient of the 2012 Elizabeth Zintl Leadership Award. Anda Webb is the Vice Provost for Administration and Chief of Staff at U.Va.. Anda’s understated, creative, and wise handling of often difficult issues for the University is extraordinary.

The Elizabeth Zintl Leadership Award is presented annually by the University of Virginia Women’s Center in memory of Elizabeth Zintl, an accomplished writer and journalist, who served as Chief of Staff in the Office of the President at the University. This annual award, given to a woman employee at U.Va., honors the high degree of professionalism, creativity, and commitment that characterized Elizabeth’s significant contributions to the University.

RSVP to Carol Gilbert, ceg6a@virginia.edu.

Send Silence Packing
Thursday, October 4
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
The Lawn at U.Va.
Active Minds at U.Va.

Send Silence Packing is a traveling public education display of 1,100 backpacks representing the 1,100 college students who die by suicide each year. Many of the backpacks have been donated in honor of loved ones who have died by suicide. This acclaimed program from Active Minds, Inc. aims to promote a positive dialogue about mental health on college campuses and raise awareness about the incidence and impact of student suicide. Come see the display on the Lawn at UVa on Thursday, October 4th from 9am-4pm. A speaker series featuring speakers from CAPS and The Josh Anderson Foundation will be held at 2:00 PM on the Lawn.The rain location for the event will be the chemistry building lobby.

Click to learn more about Send Silence Packing. To read about the displays’ travels and impact, visit the blog:. Email UVa's chapter of Active Minds at activemindsatuva@gmail.com with any questions or to get involved.

Co-sponsored by the Women's Center, CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services), The Josh Anderson Foundation, and the College Council.

October Legal Clinic
Tuesday, October 16
7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m
U.Va. Women's Center

"Transforming Lives: Community-Based Development in Kenya"
A Talk by Janet Mumo
Founder and Director of the Kitui Development Center
Thursday, October 18
5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Minor Hall Auditorium
Reception Following

Janet Mumo is the founder and director of southeastern Kenya’s Kitui Development Center (KDC), which offers an unusual approach to grassroots development. Building leadership is at the core of KDC initiatives in this region, which often suffers from severe drought and famine: having enough food to eat is a daily challenge. In just one KDC program, Mumo works with 1,753 women who feed 7,400 children.

To respond to the needs of children left orphaned by AIDS, KDC strengthens the agricultural self-sufficiency of rural village families. Other projects focus on water, health, and positive youth development. Janet Mumo’s Women’s Economic Empowerment Groups are highly effective and built on an uncommon model.

Janet Mumo has been recognized in Kenya and internationally for her strategic approach to community-based development. On October 18, our University has the rare pleasure of hosting her on Grounds. Help us welcome her!

RSVP by October 15 to Bri Goode, wcevents@eservices.virginia.edu.
Parking available at Central Grounds Garage (400 Emmet St.) and on The Corner.

Co-sponsored with Women, Gender, and Sexuality, the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African and African American Studies, and the African Development Project.

The Red Flag Campaign on The Lawn
October 22-26

Anti-violence activists will be tabling on the lawn. Plant a red flag on the lower lawn in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness, and get some goodies as well! Men: put your handprint on our "These Hands Are Not For Hurting" banners and make your pledge to a non-violent future. If you are interested in contributing a t-shirt to the Clothesline Project, email cnk2r@virginia.edu for more information. We will be accepting completed shirts during this week.

Co-sponsored with the Sexual Assault Leadership Council and Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority.

Everyone Post a Red Flag Poster
October 24 - November 9
If you work at UVa or are a student and would like to put a "Red Flag Campaign" poster on your door, wall, etc., we have plenty to give out! Email Nusayba Hammad at nnh2hc@virginia.edu. You can see the posters at this site.

Co-sponsored with the Sexual Assault Leadership Council.

Parent's Weekend Mother-Daughter Afternoon Tea
Body Positive at U.Va.
Friday, October 26
3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Women's Center

Join interns and staff for tea and goodies. Learn about programs and resources at UVa that help students with body image and other concerns. You will leave with the answer to these questions: What IS Fat Talk? How do I talk to a friend about his or her eating problems? Can exercise really be FUN? Solo moms and daughters are very welcome!
RSVP to Carol Gilbert, ceg6a@virginia.edu.
The UVa Women's Center is in the Corner Building at 14th St. and University Ave.

Surviving and Getting Free From Intimate Partner Violence
Panel Discussion
Tuesday, October 30 (rescheduled to November 13)
7:30 p.m.
Newcomb Hall Commonwealth Room

Survivors of relationship violence and local advocates will discuss the signs of abuse, how and where to get help, and what can be done to end this violence.

Co-sponsored with the Sexual Assault Leadership Council and the Office of the Dean of Students.

Wear Red Day
Tuesday, October 30

Wear something red to recognize that intimate partner violence exists in our community. If you want to really show your colors, get yourself a Red Flag Campaign t-shirt here.

Co-sponsored with the Sexual Assault Leadership Council.

REFLECTIONS Workshop
Thursdays, November 1 and 8
Aquatics Fitness Center Room 201

Interested in improving your body image? You are not alone! Through open, honest discussion and practical exercises, this 2-session program will empower you to create and reaffirm a positive personal body image focused NOT on weight or size, but on your unique, healthy ideal. Try Reflections, and be a part of the movement to create a more body positive culture for yourself and others! Instructed by Amy Chestnutt and Melanie Brede. Please call or drop by the AFC to register. Information is available here.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Walk
Saturday, November 3
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Nameless Field

This walk also includes lunch, speakers, and information from local vendors and clinicians. For more information, please contact Brooks Brodrick at bb5h@virginia.edu or visit the National Eating Disorders Awareness website.

Project Unbreakable

Photo Shoots
Tuesday, November 6
11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Garden 8

Wednesday, November 7
12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Lee Park

Lecture
Tuesday, November 6
7:30 p.m.
Minor Hall Room 125

Project Unbreakable, created by artist Grace Brown, is a website with photographs of sexual assault survivors holding a poster with a quote from their attacker, or the reactions when friends, family, or even police were informed of the assault. Grace Brown is bringing Project Unbreakable to the Charlottesville and UVa communities to photograph survivors, display her work, and give a talk about this national project. A short reception will follow the Tuesday evening lecture. Survivors may participate in the project. To arrange for a time to be photographed by Grace, email projectunbreakable@gmail.com with the subject “Photograph Me-Charlottesville.” For more information, e-mail Emily Loranger with any questions or inquiries at eal2bt@virginia.edu.

Co-sponsored with the Sexual Assault Leadership Council and the Office of Diversity and Equity.

Perfect Illusions Vigil
Wednesday, November 7
6:00 p.m.
Newcomb Hall, Kaleidoscope Room

You CAN Make a Difference! Join the University community for this open-mic style event where audience members have the opportunity to listen and share their own stories and experiences about body image, eating concerns, and exercise in a safe, supportive, and healing environment. Break the silence and help create a body positive community. Bring your experiences, questions, concerns, and passion to share. For more information, contact Amy Chestnutt at aek4k@virginia.edu.

Co-sponsored with the U.Va. Coalition on Eating Disorders and Exercise Concerns.

Annual Susan Grossman Memorial Lecture
Let’s Talk About “IT”
Kelly Addington & Becca Teider
Wednesday, November 7
7:30pm
Newcomb Hall Theatre

Kelly and Becca provide a candid discussion of sexual empowerment using their experiences as college friends. You’ll leave with innovative ways to take action and keep you and your friends safe. Click here for more info on Kelly and Becca.

Gender, Identity, and Social Media: The first in a Series of Brown Bag Lunches
Wednesday, November 14th
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
OpenGrounds
The Corner Building
1400 University Avenue
Next to the UVa Women’s Center

Jane Friedman (Virginia Quarterly Review), and Suzie McCarthy (U.Va Dept of Politics) lead an open discussion on social media, gender, and identity, sponsored by Iris Magazine, the University of Virginia Women’s Center, and Ope Grounds.

Men and women use social media differently; men use it more, but women use it intensely to create social bonds. We will explore this notion, and these ideas: How has social media shaped and affected our notions of gender and identity? Does social media perpetuate or disrupt gender norms? How do the various social media differ in terms of gender? How has social media functioned in our U.Va community, especially if we consider the firing and reinstatement of Teresa Sullivan?

You’re cordially invited to the first in a series of Brown Bag Lunches on social media at U.Va., this one brought to you by the U.Va. Women’s Center and Iris Magazine.

Jane Friedman is the web editor for the Virginia Quarterly Review. She has spoken on publishing and the future of media at over 200 events, and her blog was named “One of the Top 10 Blogs for Writers in 2011-2012." She has over 160,000 Twitter followers, and her expertise in media has been featured in Reddit, PBS, Publishers Weekly, among many others.

Suzie McCarthy has been hailed as a key player in the Sullivan reinstatement. She lead rallies, created a Facebook group that promptly gained 17,000 members, and deftly used social media to unite our outraged community. Suzie is a graduate student in the Politics Department studying social media and political participation. You can follow Suzie on Twitter @SuziMcc.

Bring your ideas, thoughts, questions, and lunch to this FREE open forum on these important issues. Lemonade and cookies will be provided.

Seating is limited! Please RSVP to ls3ct@virginia.edu.

If you can't make it, you can follow our livetweets using #uvasocial.

November Legal Clinic
Tuesday, November 20
7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m
U.Va. Women's Center

December Legal Clinic
Tuesday, December 18
7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m
U.Va. Women's Center

Attendees at the Women's Center Young Alumni Reunion Event

Women's Center Homecoming

On October 14, 2011, the Women's Center held a young alumni reunion reception. Past interns, staff, and volunteers returned to the Center to share their post-college experiences and give some insightful advice to current interns. The reception had a great turnout and was a success!

Fall 2012 Calendar

Programs & Services

We're proud to announce our lineup of events for the Fall:

Women's Center Homecoming