Women's Action Commission

From ASUW Wiki

Women's Action Commission Website

Contents 1 General Information 2 History 3 Recent Projects 4 Events in Previous Years

General Information

The Women's Action Commission is one of seven diversity commissions founded by the Associated Students of the University of Washington. Each commission has a mandate to put on educational programs each quarter, as well as serve as an advocate for its constituency within the student government and the administration. Over the years, WAC has put on many fun and successful programs, including our annual co-sponsorship of the Vagina Monologues, an equity pay bakesale, self defense trainings, and our co-sponsorship of last year's Indigo Girls concert.

If you want to get involved in the Women's Action Commission, you can come by our office in HUB 201, call us at 206-543-1817, or email us at asuwomn@u.washington.edu. WAC also has weekly meetings, where WAC members can hear about upcoming events and programs, discuss women's issues, meet fellow feminists, and learn about volunteer opportunities. WAC meetings are an excellent way to get involved in the ASUW and the campus community.

Fall quarter WAC meetings will be on Tuesdays at 5:00 in the WAC office (HUB 201).

When you come to a WAC meeting, you'll generally find two things: neat people, and free food. We don't know anyone who doesn't want to meet cool people and eat free food, so please come on by.

History

Purpose within the ASUW:

• Program and initiate events of special interest to women's studies
• Officially represent women of the University of Washington
• Disseminate information of special interest to women

The ASUW Womens Commission was formed in 1969 in response to heated political activity occurring on campus regarding gender issues. It was designed to attempt to meet the needs of female students on campus who felt discrimination, hostility, and alienation. The commission remained active politically and socially and was followed by other student commissions in later years.

In 1993-4, the annual programming budget for the Womens Commission was cut to a third of what it had been allocated in previous years. This began the three year battle with the Board of Control (BOC) in which the Womens Commission lost in the spring of 1997, resulting in permanent disassembly. Thus begins the history of the Womens Action Coalition. We have the same purpose as the original Womens Commission, however our goals change each year to reflect students needs.

In 1999-2000, we regained our "Commission" status, and continue to meet the needs of the students.

Recent Projects

2002-2003 WAC Calendar of Events:

October: co-sponsored Ulali, an all-women native Accapella trio

Novemeber: "Senorita Extraviada: Missing Young Women," a documentary by Lourdes Portillo

February: The Vagina Monologues, by Eve Ensler. February 12th, 13th, and 14th.

2001-2002 WAC Calendar of Events:

December: "Silence Broken: Korean Comfort Women"

January: Marcia Gillespie of Ms. Magazine, talk on Racism and Sexism

February: The Vagina Monologues

February: Interlocking Opression Forum (co-sponsored with the ASUW Joint Commissions)

March: The Ladies Room, by Cynthia Salsman Mondell

International Women's Day: Sarah Jones's "Women Can't Wait"

April: Co-sponsored the second annual Equity Pay Day Rally

2000-2001 WAC Calendar of Events:

October 24: Gloria Steinam Rally (Vox: Voices for Planned Parenthood co-sponsorship)

November 7: Fall Activities Fair (SAO-sponsored event)

November 28: Magdalen Hsu-Li Concert

November 30: HIV/AIDS Awareness Fair (GBLTC co-sponsorship)

January 9: Inga Muscio Speaking Engagement

January 23: Jay Friedman, "Sex Matters" (GBLTC co-sponsorship)

February 20, 22: V-day celebration, "Vagina Monologues"

March 8: Sarah Jones, "Women Can't Wait" (UW Women's Center co-sponsorship)

March 27: ASUW Diversity Fair (ASUW-sponsored event)

April 3: Equity Pay Day Rally (Vox: Voices for Planned Parenthood co-sponsorship)

April 9: ARTCAR Political Women's Music Tour (Student Action Network co-sponsorship)

April 24, 26: Home Alive Self-Defense Workshop

May 2: Kirsten Anderberg, Identity Lecture Series Speaker

May 15: Graduate School Workshop (w/ GBLTC)

Events in Previous Years

Women in the Arts Festival, April 1999

A five-day celebration of female, visual, literary, and performing artists.

Women in History Month Celebration, March 1999

Various panel discussions, a film screening, and a display on women in various aspects of history

Women in Leadership Forum, February 1999

A panel discussion featuring student leaders from the UW main campus and UW-Bothell.

An Evening with Aurora Levins Morales, February 1999

Slides, readings, and thoughts from this acclaimed Puerto Rican feminist author and poet.

Campaign for More Tampon Machines: 1998