Pacific University Center for Gender Equity Collection

The Center for Gender Equity was formed in 2000 when a visiting scholar from Lady Doak College in India came to Pacific for the Feminist Studies Program. It was decided that "sister women's centers" would be formed at both colleges in part to host foreign exchange student programs as well as strengthening the women's center visibility and services on each of the two campuses. A proposal was drawn up and following the approval of the administration "The Center for Women and Gender Equity" was born with its first active school year in existence being 2001-2002. The first initiated events for the organization were: Buddhist Meditation, Women's self-defense, Brown Bag Lunch Speaker series, and a drop-in referral service among other programs. Over time the center became fully staffed with Pacific students and an advisory committee of volunteers also developed. Over the years the programming expanded as the budget allowed for the center to reach new heights. The name changed from the Center for Women and Gender Equity to the Center for Gender Equity to reflect the expansion of programs. Over the course of six years in existence the center ran a "Get Out Her Vote" campaign; partnered with the Pacific's Rainbow Coalition and the local Portland chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays); ran support groups for non-traditional students; produced the Vagina Monologues; brought the AIDS quilt to campus; and provide English instruction and computer skills to custodial staff at Pacific.