Women's Center administrative files (Accession 2021-071)
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2021_071
Records of the Women's Center and its programs. Materials include the quarterly newsletter "Women's Center News," meeting minutes, reports, and materials related to Empowerment Luncheon, Kentucky Women's Book Festival, Transformational Tea, Women's History Month, and other annual programs.
University records more than 25 years old are generally open; however, some records may be restricted by state statute or federal law.
Because some materials in these records contain sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal and/or state privacy laws, these records must be reviewed by Archives and Special Collection staff prior to access. Research requests must be made 48 hours in advance by contacting archives@louisville.edu. In keeping with our use policies, researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to individuals without the consent of those individuals may have legal implications. Researchers who find sensitive personal information in any collection should immediately notify an ASC staff member.
2.5 linear feet (2 records center boxes)
Though the seeds to form a Women’s Center at the University of Louisville were first planted in the early 1970s, the Women’s Center was not officially established and given a home in Gardiner Hall until March 21, 1992. Judi Jennings served as the first director. At that time, the Women’s Center created an advisory council of 40 members from the University and community, and quickly became involved in groups that advocated for a more inclusive campus like the Diversity Committee, External Affairs Committee, and the Commission on the Status of Women.
Under the leadership of Mary Karen Powers, who served as director between 1999 and 2010, the Women’s Center was an active presence on campus. Annual programs included the Women of Color Transformational Tea, Kentucky Women’s Book Festival, Elizabeth Cady Stanton luncheon, and educational outreach about violence against women through the PEACC (Prevention, Education and Advocacy on Campus and in the Community) program, which was initially supported by $500,000 grant from the Department of Justice.
In 2010, Valeria Casey stepped in as interim director and was appointed director in 2014. Since then, the Women's Center has continued its campus engagement through the Women 4 Women student board, the American Association of University Women UofL chapter, campus talks, and other advocacy and educational programming.
Part of the University of Louisville Archives and Special Collections Repository