Programming and Outreach Initiatives

Educational and Celebratory Programs

Health and Wellness Series | Kids' Night Out | Dissertation Working Group | Working Moms' Group
Through Feminist Eyes | Faces of Feminism | Women's Month | Advancing Women Awards

 

• Health and Wellness Series
  
  Thursday, October 1st, 11:30AM-1:00PM -- Free Massages with Chris Pohowsky and Amanda Sapienza (Women's Center Conference Room). Click here to register for this session.
  
  Friday, October 16th, 11:30AM-1:00PM -- Free Massages with the Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga (Women's Center Conference Room). Click here to register for this session.
  
  Monday, October 19th @ 5:30PM (Women's Center Conference Room) -- Introduction to Breathwork
  Breathwork is a yoga-based technique that allows participants to resolve tension in their breathing patterns. This class is an introduction to the how's and why's, but mostly it is an opportunity to explore your unique breathing cycle and learn at least one way to continue working with your breathing. There are no prerequisites. All are welcome! Click here to register for this session. For more information, contact Kathy Lokale at klokale@vt.edu.
  
  Monday, November 16th @ 5:30PM (Women's Center Conference Room) -- Introduction to Breathwork
  See description above. Click here to register for this session.
  
  Check out additional health and wellness programs on campus through HR's Hokie Wellness program.

 

• Kids' Night Out
  A Drop-In Evening Child Care For Kids.  Need a break? Have to study or attend a lecture?  Want to catch up on work?  Then bring your kids to Kids Night Out -- an evening drop-in child care program for kids aged 2-12.
  Where: Virginia Tech Women's Center, 206 Washington Street, between Draper and Otey. Enter from the parking lot in back. 
  When: Thursdays from 6-8:30 when classes are in session (EXCEPTION: Thursday evening home football games=NO Kids' Night Out)
  Who: Children (aged 2-12) of any VT student.
  Children must be toilet trained.
  How: Just drop in--no pre-registration required.
  Cost: None!
  Sponsored by the Women's Center at Virginia Tech and child care provided by Chi Delta Alpha. For additional information on upcoming events, please contact Jessie Meltsner at the Women's Center, jmelts@vt.edu or 231-7806.

 

• Dissertation Writing Work Group
  This is a work group designed for women graduate students and post-docs. Are you working on your dissertation or thesis? Preparing for preliminary exams? Writing an article? If so, then join us for support, motivation, goal-setting, accountability, and a place to simply unwind during the research and writing phase. All are welcome! Beginning the first week of September, the fall 2009 group meets weekly on Wednesdays at 9:00AM at the Women's Center. The Center has limited parking available. There is available parking downtown. If you have questions about the group, or want more information, please contact Anna LoMascolo at 231-7806.

 

• Working Moms' Support Group
  An opportunity for working mothers to come together to share, vent, network, and support one another.  For more information, contact Christine Dennis Smith (cdennis@vt.edu). The current schedule for summer/fall 2009 is:
  
  • August 18th @ Noon, Topic: Children's Museum, Speaker: Janine Kniola (Women's Center)
  • September 9th @ Noon, Topic: Children's Safety, Speaker: Sgt. Odell, BPD (GLC, Room C)
  • October 20th @ Noon, Topic: Children & Books (Recipe for the most special memories & kids who love to read), Speaker: Cathy Jacobs (GLC, Room C)
  • November 18th @ Noon: Topic: Healthy Kids: Food and Fun (Paula Bolte--The Toy Lady--Imaginations & Annie Kays; info about vitamins, food, and toys -- she will bring toys!) (GLC, Room C)
  • December 8th @ Noon (GLC, Room C)
    

 

• Through Feminist Eyes
  Through Feminist Eyes, in collaboration with the Women's Studies Program, is intended to provide additional opportunities for undergraduate Women’s Studies students to engage feminist scholarship, specifically the breadth of feminist scholarship taking place at Virginia Tech. Coming up for fall 2009:
  
  • September 8th: Tom Ewing, Department of History, "Separate Schools for Girls and Boys: Feminist Perspectives on Gender Boundaries in Education" (Torgersen 3100)
  • October 5th: Deborah Tatar, Department of Computer Science, "Playground Games and the Diminution of the Feminine in the Age of Technology" (Litton Reeves 1870)
  • November 3rd: Simone Paterson, School of Visual Arts, "Embodied Dislocations -- The Art Practice-Based Research of Simone Paterson" (Robeson 210)
    
  If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Anna LoMascolo at 231-7806.

 

• The Many Faces of Feminism
  Participate in this new Women's Center documentary project. Don't be afraid of the "F" Word! This initiative is intended to open minds to the concept of feminism. In response to those who would say, "I am not a feminist, but ...," members of the Virginia Tech community can exclaim, "I am a feminist, AND ..." The Many Faces of Feminism recognizes and celebrates the diverse faces and voices of feminism in our midst. Students, faculty, staff and administrators are encouraged to participate. If you wish to participate, please click here to access the online Submission Form or click here to download a hardcopy version in .pdf. Please contact Kathy Lokale (klokale@vt.edu) at the Center with any questions or ideas.

 

• Women’s Month in March
  Women's Month has been celebrated at Virginia Tech since 1995. Prior to 1995, the celebration of women's achievements occurred during Women's Week and Women's History Month, a national celebration in March of each year. Women's Week began in 1982 and served as a conference of women thinkers, writers, speakers, and performers who addressed national and international feminist issues. In 1993 and 1994, the Women's Studies Program at Virginia Tech planned local observances of the National Celebration of Women's History Month. In 1995, these efforts were consolidated and Women's Month became a way to highlight and celebrate women's diverse experiences and achievements. The administrative home for this effort is the Women's Center at Virginia Tech.  If you have questions about the annual Women's Month celebration, please e-mail womensmonth@vt.edu.

  Check out the calendar for Women’s Month 2009

   

• Advancing Women Awards
  The Women's Center Advancing Women Awards are given in recognition of efforts in promoting the advancement of women and/or addressing the needs and concerns of women at Virginia Tech. Nominees can be students, faculty, or staff persons at Virginia Tech, or members of the surrounding community. In an effort to recognize the many male allies in our community, the Women's Center invites nominations of men as well as women. Visit the Advancing Women Awards page for more information. If you have questions, please contact Jessie Meltsner at 231-7806.

  The Advancing Women Award program is moving to an alternate year format for Faculty, Staff, Graduate Students, and Community Members. We will accept nominations for the 2010 Advancing Women Award beginning in February 2010. The Advancing Women Award for undergraduate students will continue as a yearly program. To nominate an undergraduate student for the 2009 Advancing Women Award, contact Kathy Lokale @ klokale@vt.edu or Download the pdf copy of the nomination form.

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OUTREACH INITIATIVES

VAWA - Request a Presentation | SAVES | Health Advocates | AWARE | Cornerstone | International Women in Need (IWiN)

The Women’s Center staff received the 2007 Alumni Award for Outreach – Team Excellence.  Here is information on our signature outreach initiatives:

• Violence Against Women Education & Outreach
  Request a Presentation
  Looking for some fun and educational programs that address tough issues? Look no further than the Women's Center at Virginia Tech! Programs are interactive, informative, and full of helpful resources and tips! Topics can be adapted, and generally include: Online Harassment & Cyberstalking, Healthy Relationships 101, Sexual Assault Education & Awareness, Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Judicial Affairs 101. We ask for 5 business days notice for programs and a minimum attendance of 10 students. For more information call the Women's Center at 231-7806. For more detailed program information and to submit an electronic program request, go to www.stopabuse.vt.edu.

 

• Sexual Assault & Violence Education by Students (SAVES)
  Are you looking for a leadership opportunity? Are you interested in learning and educating others about violence against women issues? As a Sexual Assault and Violence Education by Students (S.A.V.E.S.) peer educator, you have the opportunity to plan programs, facilitate presentations, and provide outreach to the Virginia Tech community about sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and cyberstalking.   S.A.V.E.S. is a team of highly energized men and women students who serve as peer educators and anti-violence crusaders for Virginia Tech and the surrounding community. Our team is committed, knowledgeable about sexual violence issues, and very dedicated! If you have questions, please e-mail saves@vt.edu.

 

• Health Advocates
  The Health Advocate Program is designed to meet the growing needs of Virginia Tech women founded in Spring, 2004. A designated woman is selected from each sorority to serve as a liaison and advocate on various women's issues. Health Advocates undergo specialized training by qualified professionals to learn how to confront a variety of issues college women face such as eating disorders, body image, healthy relationships, depression, anxiety, sexual assault, dating violence, substance use, and reproductive health. They then address these health care concerns by providing education, emotional support, advocacy services, and referrals in their chapters. For additional information e-mail healthadvocates@vt.edu.

 

• AWARE
  The AWARE Team develops curriculum and facilitates educational programs for 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls at Blacksburg Middle School. Virginia Tech women lead discussions on topics such as healthy relationships, body image and self-esteem, as well as facilitate workshops and mentor young girls. Groups are formed early in the semester. E-mail wc.aware@vt.edu for additional information.

 

• Cornerstone
  Cornerstone is a transitional housing program that consists of eight apartments and a community center funded by the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley.  Each semester, the Cornerstone team raises funds to decorate an apartment for a woman and her child(ren) who are leaving the shelter and beginning new lives free of domestic violence.  For more information on Cornerstone, e-mail wccornerstone@vt.edu.

 

• International Women in Need (IWiN)
  IWiN is an international outreach initiative that strives to raise awareness and funds in support of global women's issues. This year IWiN will focus its efforts on KENYA. Our goal is to raise money to purchase a Power Mill that will ultimately EMPOWER the women of Ngeta village. With a Power Mill these women will be able to start a small business of their own to grind corn mechanically rather than manually. This project will help the women to become more financially independent as well as dramatically change the lives of their families and the community as a whole. For more information on IWiN, contact Kathy Lokale at klokale@vt.edu or Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu.
  
  Follow the CornMills for Kenya project on the ground in Ngeta Village, Kenya!

 

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