Announcements

Professor Sharon Wynkoop Retires

Professor Sharon Wynkoop has retired after a long and distinguished career of fighting for women's rights, a women's literature class and curriculum. Sharon leaves a legacy of honest and forthright questioning, an insistence on dignity and full equality for everyone, and a willingness to ask social justice questions which others feared to ask. She was instrumental in getting our program off the ground, was a major figure in our Feminist Reading Group which established goals and set priorities for the program, and helped develop the internal survey of campus climate on gender—a necessary first step to measuring what is possible and what obstacles face a new program. Ever a gadfly, Sharon also was an important player in both the 2006 Women in the Arts Celebration and the 2009 Celebration of Women in the STEM Fields; she continuously pushed for a GRCC Women's Center and reminded us all of the long history of the Women's League and women's activism at our college. Thus we in Women's Studies send her this salute for a job well done; we are all better people for having known her. Happy retirement!

Two New Stars for Women's Studies

Two new stars have joined our Women's Studies entourage. Our program coordinator, Professor Mary Lucas, gave birth to Lucas Aaron Aardema on January 30, 2009. Lucas weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces, and was 21 inches long; Mary says she has loved her time at home.

On April 24, Professor Katie Kalisz gave birth to her daughter, Maeve, who weighed in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces. Like Mary, Katie and her husband Mike have been enjoying these first quiet months with their new little one. We welcome both moms back this fall.

Two Sections of Women's Studies 200: It's Nora's Class

In its two year history, our Introduction to Women's Studies class (WST 200) has filled up in all four semesters, and because of its success, the college has given us permission to offer two sections of the class beginning this semester. We may also have a third section, an evening class to be offered in the Holland area, in January. While the class was always team-taught, this semester's classes will be handled by Nora Neill, who brings a youthful perspective and consummate professionalism to her task. Congratulations!

YWCA Domestic Crisis Center News

This summer, Women's Studies student Danielle Thurber earned an independent study credit, volunteering for work at the YWCA Domestic Crisis Center and writing a nine page personal narrative detailing her experiences. Danielle not only did the usual organizational work, but she located a farmer at the Farmer's Market who was willing to donate food each week. See David Cope if you wish to earn an independent study credit while doing this vital social justice work and expanding your feminist political awareness.

This fall, WST 200 classes will do volunteer work at the Center, and David Cope will continue collecting goods for the women and children. If you wish to donate to the Center, visit the Crisis Center’s Wish List page or contact David (dcope@grcc.edu)

International Women's Issues / Diversity Lecture Series

This year, the Women's Studies program will focus on International Women's Issues. We hope to develop a panel of international women students to discuss issues that they face as women. In addition, Women's Studies students will do solid research on issues ranging from female genital mutilation, bride burning and the murders of girl children, the international sex trade, the use of rape as a weapon of war, as well as such positive developments as Wangaari Matthai's Greenbelt Movement and the Bosnian Raspberry Collective. In addition, the GRCC Diversity Center has announced its speakers for this year, all of whom are in some ways addressing national and international issues of importance to women. Mark your calendars!

Eric Alva, Iraq War Veteran, LGBT Rights Activist
“Ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
October 14, 2009

Prince Cedza Dlamini, Humanitarian, Social Entrepreneur
“Global Forgiveness and Connectedness”
November 11, 2009

Morris Dees, Civil Rights Activist, Attorney, Author
“With Justice for All”
December 9, 2009

Angela Davis, Human Rights Activist, Author
“Frameworks for Social Justice”
February 10, 2010

Brigitte Cazalis-Collins, Social Justice Activist
“The Front Lines of the War against Child Sex Trafficking”
March 10, 2010

Progress on English 284: lgbtq literature

Responding to continued demand from lesbian and gay students, Nora Neill and David Cope have been developing English 284: lgbtq literature. Serious students of literature and the arts are well aware that lgbtq people have produced an extraordinary body of highly valued cultural masterpieces through the ages, and this class will address some of these, as well as the exciting new work being produced in the field. The course is still going through the course adoption process, and we'll keep you posted as to when it will be available. English 284 will be a three credit course, transferable as either an English course or as a Women's Studies cognate.

News from WIN: A Feminist Journal

Yirssi Bergman wants to publish a GRCC Feminist Journal, and is actively searching for student writers and professors to contribute articles. The journal will serve to demystify feminism, bringing practical and important issues to students so that they might better empower themselves; Ms. Bergman also hopes to address cutting edge issues involving gender and sexuality, as well as problems women have to face on the broader world stage. The journal will be published online at our Women's Studies webpage, and the GRCC library will help us create a publicly searchable archive for it. Yirssi is also exploring the possibility of publishing it in a print format. Interested? Contact her at WIN's email address: GRCCWIN@gmail.com.

This page curated by David Cope. Contact: dcope@grcc.edu

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