After lectures, WRC plans to ‘Take Back the Night’

After two months of lectures from Portland State faculty, the Women’s Resource Center is finishing their series of talks and looking forward to continual involvement helping women on campus.

The lectures, which were presented by faculty on a variety of topics such as feminist responses to violence and masculine identity issues in correctional facilities, have been a good way for students and the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) to build stronger relationships with faculty on campus, said Bridge Garrow, the WRC’s interim coordinator.

As part of the lecture series, Heather Hartley, PSU professor of sociology and women’s studies, gave a lecture Feb. 14 on a critique of the proposed Viagra for women and the medicalization of women’s bodies, or the use of medicine to change how women’s life cycles work.

Harley said she supports the center and is pleased with the turnout her talk received. She also said she felt the talk was well publicized, and that her audience was receptive.

“It’s always rewarding to see that people are interested in a topic,” Harley said.

Melanie Smith, the event coordinator for the WRC, said there has also been a lot of student interest in the talks, especially in later events where students were responsive and participated in discussions.

Smith said the lecture series started off fairly strong, with around 17 people attending the first-a number that has been raised to over 40 people in attendance in later lectures.

“It gives people a way to listen to topics they might not be exposed to,” Smith said of the series, which she called a success.

In addition to the lecture series, the WRC will soon be hosting their annual “Take Back the Night” event to raise awareness about sexual assault and prevention. The event will feature talks, live music and a rally.

The center features ongoing projects, such as the Returning Women’s Program, which allows women with a gap in their education to easily return to school. The WRC also features an interpersonal violence program that provides support and counseling for students who have experienced assault, and education in prevention. The program, called the Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Advocacy Program, is just one way Garrow said the WRC is developing their goals around sexual assault prevention.

The WRC is located in the basement of Montgomery Hall, at 1802 SW 10th & Montgomery. For more information, visit www.wrc.pdx.edu.

Upcoming WRC lectures:

February 28: Lois Bronfman, Political Science

March 6: Ben Anderson-Nathe, Child and Family Studies