History and Mission of the Center for Women and Gender Action

The Women's Resource Center was established in 1978 with the goal of helping to create a campus climate that affirms female students and enhances their intellectual and social development. This is accomplished through campus programming and resource sharing including referrals to resources both on and off campus.

In the Fall of 2011 the center was renamed the Center for Women and Gender Action.  The center provides valuable information and resources for men and women on a wide range of issues. The center caters to all ideologies and attempts to provide a safe place on campus for women and men in the community to discuss gender-related issues and to utilize resources about those issues.

Mission Statement

The Center for Women and Gender Action at Denison University seeks to foster a campus community in which all members uphold the value of living and working in a safe, supportive, and mutually respectful environment.

Using a feminist model as the foundation for education, equality, and empowerment for the students, faculty, and staff of Denison, the center provides meeting space, a resource library, peer support as well as campus programming around issues related to gender.

The Center for Women and Gender Action strives to affirm the multi-faceted identity of individuals, while also raising awareness of issues including but not limited to gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, national origin, women's health, reproduction, gendered violence and how these issues intersect. 

Resources Available

The center offers many different types of resources. Some of our resources include:

• Books that deal with topics such as rape, sexual assault, and female empowerment
• Pamphlets concerning issues such as stress management, relationships, and sexual health
• Movies that cover issues such as rape and other current women's issues
• A comfortable place for group meetings or for individuals to study

Programs Offered

The Center for Women and Gender Action partners with academic departments, other campus offices, and student organizations to enhance the experience of the campus community.  The center has co-sponsored events such as National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, the Vagina Monologues, and the Take Back the Night march.  The center also coordinates educational outreach programs on stress, body image, sexuality, health and relationship issues throughout the year.