Carolyn Lipshy Galerstein

Just as women provide the basis for ancestral structure in the created society, they supply the point of view, the thematic substance, and the dominant interest. Excerpt from: Feminine Concerns in Contemporary Spanish Fiction by Women By Carolyn Galerstein, Scripta Humanistica, 1998.

Our Mission

The mission of the Galerstein Women's Center 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.

Our 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 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 began in the Student Life Suite of the Student Union. It was the fall of 1996.

The GWC is now celebrating its 17th year and we are located on the fourth floor of the Student Services Building, SSB 4.300, 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 UT Dallas. 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.

For the last 17 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 provide a safe haven for those needing counseling and resources and bring women of distinction and motivation to speak of their accomplishments, while honoring women at UT Dallas who shine in their academic and professional careers. We advise and mentor several women organizations who have expressed a passion for activism and service, and nurtured the beginning steps of feminism and activism. The UT Dallas LGBTQ community has grown and prospered, and the GWC has been the guiding force in developing Safe Zone Ally Training to support an environment of inclusiveness.