The Galerstein Women's Center

Mission Statement

The mission of the Galerstein Women’s Center (GWC) is to collaboratively support and represent gender issues on campus, in the community, in the public and in society, by transforming personal, economic, social, and cultural ideas into synergistic programs and events, and advocating for an inclusive, safe environment that directly impacts, benefits and improves lives. 

 

Vision

Following in the tradition and memory of Carolyn Lipshy Galerstein, former Dean of the School of General Studies, activist and advocate for increased opportunities for women, the Women's Center opened its doors in 1996 and affirms the university's commitment to advancing the status and success of women on campus.

 

How We Began Two rooms, a desk and a chair. With these scant resources, the Galerstein Women’s Center (GWC) began in the Student Life Suite of the Student Union.  It was the fall of 1996. The GWC is now celebrating its 13th year and we are located on the first floor mezzanine of the McDermott Library…home to many of our drop-in students.  The idea of a campus organization for women began with discussions of faculty women who were meeting regularly as the Association for Professional Women (APW), primarily established to address issues such as recruitment of women, harassment, tenure, equity, support, maternity leave and networking.  Work towards intentional change was begging to be continued, as the original seeds were already planted through the efforts of Dr. Carolyn Galerstein, the first female dean at UTD.  Although feminist ideology was dormant…no protests of sexism or gender discrimination, no petitions, no climate of activism, still…there were issues that women noticed, and noticed, and noticed.

Once the APW was discovered, professional staff women wanted to be included and the vision expanded.  A proposal was submitted for funding a Center that would represent and support all women at UTD; students, staff and faculty, with the hopes that more women would be attracted to not only work and study at UTD, but stay at UTD for a career-changing journey.  Establishing female leaders became an institutional priority. 

Visitors started coming to the GWC and asking “why isn’t there a Men’s Center?”  The answer was and is always the same…”if you see the vision of what doesn’t exist and what should be…then build it, and they will come!”  Our simple objective?  To answer the call of a burgeoning movement to see women achieve success at UTD.  When people started coming in through our doors, both women and men wanted to belong….to help…to inspire.  Thus, our Friends of the Center Advisory Board was born, with a combination of students, staff, faculty and community members who literally became the pulse-point of our work. 

For the last 13 years, the GWC has answered the call for support and representation in harassment and equity cases, provided training on sexual assault prevention and addressed safety issues on campus.  We provided a safe haven for those needing counseling and resources and brought women of distinction and motivation to speak of their accomplishments, while honoring women at UTD who shine in their academic and professional careers.  We have advised and mentored several women’s organization who have expressed a passion for activism and service, and nurtured the beginning steps of feminism and activism.  We have told the story of UTD to perspective students and have served on community boards to foster relationships and build community partnerships.  For 13 years, our GLBT community has grown and prospered.  The GWC has been the guiding force in developing Safe Zone Ally Training and supporting and environment of inclusiveness.

Now that the GWC initiatives are guided by the Office of Diversity and Community Engagement, we will continue to provide leadership in recruiting and retaining a prosperous and successful environment for women through a Faculty Mentoring Program and an annual Galerstein Women’s Center scholarship and unique programs addressing diversity, leadership and support for girls and women in STEM fields of study.  As a constant strength, we proactively identify and assess populations that need unique outreach, such as women students 40+.