GWS265: Gender, Place, & Space

This course examines the historical, political, and cultural spaces and places of the indigenous Pacific. Such spaces and places range from the marked and gendered boundaries of powerful male and female gods in Hawaiian cosmologies and origin stories, and the 17th c. guma uritao (“bachelor homes”), which Chamorro women of the Mariana Islands frequented and which Spanish Catholic missionaries condemned, to the New Zealand marae (“gathering place”) and whare (“meeting house”), an architectural marvel admired for its elaborate wood carvings that embody Maori genealogy. To attend to these native spaces and places, we will compare and contrast early and more recent Euro‐American missionary, scientific, and colonial accounts with a variety of sources produced by native Pacific Islanders. We will explore how indigenous poetry, film, and forms of mapping explicitly challenge conventional representations. 

Women’s Support Group

Wednesdays. 5:30 PM
Asian American Cultural Center 2nd Floor.  1210 W. Nevada Street
Facilitated by: Pat Morey. Director, Women’s Resources Center
The Women’s Support Group is a mix of education and support allowing members of the group to work on trauma issues which have impacted their lives and gain support from their peers. The group will be a reflective process where members can share their feelings and experiences with other survivors.
Contact: womenscenter@illinois.edu or 217.333.3137

2012 Women & International Policy Seminar

May 21-25 | Washington, DC
Hosted by: The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN)
 This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for women students to learn first-hand about international policy-making. The teachers are women leaders of governmental institutions who conduct and influence U.S. foreign policy and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) advocating for international policy changes.  For college students who want to explore an international policy career based in Washington, it's a special chance to connect with women leaders from:

• U.S. Department of State
• Peace Corps
• United Nations Population Fund
• The World Bank
• The ONE Campaign
• ...And more!

Seminar registration deadline is May 4, 2012.  Visit our website at http://plen.org for more information and online registration.

Inclusive Illinois Women's Leadership Program: April 19

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access, along with colleges and units, will sponsor the sixth annual event for women faculty and staff members and students. The free program, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 19 (Thursday), will feature roundtable discussions about career issues, a luncheon and a guest panel in Illini Rooms A, B and C in the Illini Union. Register online by April 13 at: https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/8897628

Mary Ramier Grant

Application Deadline: March 1, 2012
The Mary Ramier Grant is set up to inspire undergraduate women to develop as successful leaders, activists, and professionals.  Mary Ramier, a 1923 graduate of the University of Illinois, was an attorney and activist from Indianapolis, IN.   She was remembered for tackling problems in her Irvington neighborhood, including a petition drive that led to much-needed urban renovation.  She also worked at the national level as an attorney and officer for the MortarBoard National Senior Women’s Honorary.
The grant will be awarded competitively and can be used to: support research, creative projects, field trips related to gender and women’s studies and other activities that promote the advancement of women.
Awards are usually between $500 and $1000.  The Gender and Women’s Studies awards committee will determine the amount and number of awards per year based on the merit of individual proposals and financial need.  Money will not be awarded for tuition costs or living expenses
For more information about the grant, please contact Jacque Kahn at the Department of Gender & Women’s Studies by e-mail: gws @illinois.edu

NEW Leadership Illinois

Here's a leadership experience open to female students. You can also view their flyer here.


We are still accepting applications for NEW Leadership Illinois, an all expenses paid, bi-partisan program that strives to educate and empower the next generation of female leaders.The program includes leadership education, hands-on training in public policy, and networking opportunities with leaders from every level of government. 
This year's program will be held June 3-8 in Chicago. Applications will be accepted until March 1, 2012. 

Students from all backgrounds and in all majors are encouraged to apply. Students should attend a college or university in Illinois or should be an Illinois resident, and must have junior, senior or recent graduate standing in June 2012 (current sophomores may apply).

Undergrad Women's Grant: Mary Ramier Grant

Application Deadline: March 1, 2012
The Mary Ramier Grant is set up to inspire undergraduate women to develop as successful leaders, activists, and professionals.  Mary Ramier, a 1923 graduate of the University of Illinois, was an attorney and activist from Indianapolis, IN.   She was remembered for tackling problems in her Irvington neighborhood, including a petition drive that led to much-needed urban renovation.  She also worked at the national level as an attorney and officer for the MortarBoard National Senior Women’s Honorary.


The grant will be awarded competitively and can be used to: support research, creative projects, field trips related to gender and women’s studies and other activities that promote the advancement of women.


Awards are usually between $50 and $500.  The Gender and Women’s Studies awards committee will determine the amount and number of awards per year based on the merit of individual proposals and financial need.  Money will not be awarded for tuition costs or living expenses


For more information about the grant, please contact Jacque Kahn at the Department of Gender & Women’s Studies by e-mail: gws - at - illinois.edu

Know a Young Woman Interested in Engineering?

If you have a younger sister or friend in high school who's interested in engineering, encourage her to check out this program:
GAMES camp applications available for rising 9th- to 12th-grade girls: Girls' Adventures in Math, Engineering and Science (GAMES) is a weeklong residential summer camp designed to give academically talented high school girls an opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering and math fields through hands-on activities, demonstrations and classroom presentations focusing on the social impacts of engineering. http://go.illinois.edu/games

Women in Public Service & Leadership: NEWLeadership Illinois 2012

The application process is open for women who wish to participate in NEW Leadership Illinois for 2012. The weeklong residential program for women interested in public service will be held June 3-8 at the UIC campus. NEWLeadership Illinois is hosted by IGPA in partnership with the Conference of Women Legislators in the Illinois General Assembly. Apply here.  

Summer Women's Leadership Program

Early applications open for NEWLeadership Illinois 2012 
The application process is open for women who wish to participate in NEW Leadership Illinois for 2012. The weeklong residential program for women interested in public service will be held June 3-8 at the UIC campus. NEWLeadership Illinois is hosted by IGPA in partnership with the Conference of Women Legislators in the Illinois General Assembly. Apply here.  

NEWLeadership Illinois

Early applications open for NEWLeadership Illinois 2012 
The application process is open for women who wish to participate in NEW Leadership Illinois for 2012. The weeklong residential program for women interested in public service will be held June 3-8 at the UIC campus. NEWLeadership Illinois is hosted by IGPA in partnership with the Conference of Women Legislators in the Illinois General Assembly. Apply here.  

Pre-Health Wednesdays: Women in Health

Wednesday, October 12, 6pm, Career Center Conference Room 143
Once a month join us for Pre-Health Wednesdays as we discuss opportunities to gain experience in health care and network with current health professionals in the Urbana Champaign community. This month practice informational interviews by meeting with women in a variety of health professions. Hear their stories and learn from their experiences.

Free group treatment for women at the Psychological Services Center

Do you experience mood swings, stormy relationships or impulsivity? A free skills training group to help women ages 18-45 cope with negative emotions, have healthier relationships and reduce harmful behaviors is available through the Psychological Services Center. The group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 5:30-7 p.m. Call 333-0041 or visit the center at 505 E. Green St., Champaign. (mention 'DBT' group).

Women of Worth Seminar Series

Women of Worth (WOW) Seminar Series


Calling all women! Join The Career Center, Illinois Leadership Center, and Women’s Resources Center for Women of Worth (WOW),an award-winning leadership and career seminar series created by women for women. This 3-part series will focus on helping you discover your personal talents and strengths, helping you learn how to apply them to your career development and teaching you to navigate within those strengths in the workplace. The seminars will take place at the following times: 


Exploring Talents and Strengths on Tuesday, October 11 at 6:30
Women in Today's Workplace on Tuesday, October 25 at 6:30
Alumni Panel and Networking Social on Tuesday, November 8 at 6:30


Space is limited and enrollment in all three seminars is strongly encouraged in order to get the most out of this series. WOW is open to all ungrad and graduate students. Please register for the first seminar no later than September 30. To register please visit: https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/3361292. Questions? Email WOWseminars - at - illinois.edu.