Welcome to the Women's Center

The Women's Center's Mission is to promote gender equity through education, support and advocacy and to respond to issues affecting the status of female students, faculty and staff on campus, as well as women in the community and in society.

The Women's Center Role

The Women’s Center seeks to:

address the distinctive needs of the women of WIU and surrounding communities
recognize, celebrate, and promote awareness among women and men of the multicultural realities of women's lives, particularly with regard to race, age, class, sexual orientation, religion, and ability
help women develop positive self-concepts, as well as skills and strategies needed to function effectively in society
increase awareness of the unique needs and concerns of women
build a sense of community and identity among women
provide information about and referrals to local resources in such areas as women's health, education, finance, and employment
advocate for female students and employees in the university community
increase awareness among women and men of women's contributions to society
assist anyone who wants to help create a world in which girls and boys, and women and men, have equal opportunities at home, at school, in the workplace, and in society

Women's Center Programs

Take Back the Night proclamation signing

Take Back the Night Planning Committee members with Macomb Mayor Mick Wisslead & WIU President Al Goldfarb signing the 2007 Take Back the Night proclamation.

The Women's Center:

provides and co-sponsors outreach programs in residence halls, sororities and fraternities, classrooms, for student-athletes, and other groups
sponsors a "REAL Women: Women as Researchers, Educators, Activists and Leaders" presentation series featuring outstanding work being done by and about women at WIU
sponsors Women's Voices Open Mic Nights with poetry, song and storytelling at area coffeehouses
collaborates with student organizations, academic and administrative departments, and community groups to bring nationally touring speakers and performers to campus
coordinates an annual Take Back the Night march and rally to raise awareness about and stop violence against women
coordinates National Love Your Body Day activities on campus that focuses on body image, eating disorders and addiction awareness
supports Westerwinds athletics and co-sponsors National Girls and Women in Sports Day
co-sponsors the V-Day College Campaign in mid-February
coordinates Women's History Month programs and activities in March
organizes a REAL Women Leadership Celebration Luncheon for students, faculty and staff
Women of Color Seminar
sponsors the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day the fourth Thursday in April
publishes and distributes a monthly newsletter, posts electronic bulletin board messages, and maintains a website