The Initiative for Women and Gender Equity in the San Joaquin Valley
Our outreach and programming efforts continue to be greatly enhanced through on-going support by College of Social Science for Women’s Studies Initiative for Women’s and Gender Equity in the San Joaquin Valley, and much of our programming activity has been made possible through this grant. Of particular note in this regard, under the umbrella of the Initiative the program was able to provide relevant and scholarly information on the issue of women in athletics, a topic given much local publicity in recent months. On November 15, 2007, Women’s Studies sponsored a guest lecture by Professor Erin Buzuvis, a nationally respected expert on Title IX, to speak about its history, current context, and on-going importance. Dr. Kathryn Forbes took the leadership in organizing this event. The lecture was advertised in the local community, including an insert in the regular newsletter mailing by the California Trial Lawyers. Approximately 200 people from campus and the wider community attended the lecture.
A second noteworthy example of the Women’s Studies’ regional engagement made possible through Initiative is found in our ability to provide meaningful support to the “Valley Rally: Coming out for Justice,” Dr. Slagter has served as our primary liaison to this event. As noted above, the primary organizing and initiative for this event from a Visalia high school organization, the “Female Leadership Academy.” The event is meant to bring together area youth on issues vital to their lives. One goal of the event is to encourage underrepresented, at risk, and first generation groups to pursue graduation and continuation to college by highlighting the positive impact of educational attainment on their communities. Other sponsoring organizations include the Californians for Justice, a youth empowerment organization Women’s Studies has worked with in the past. Among other activities, the program is helping coordinate transportation and access to the event of students from CSUF, as well as a number of local high school youth.
Our faculty has continued their very strong level of participation on campus and community committees and boards. Responsive civic engagement is central to Women’s Studies.