Margaret Cuninggim Wo'"en/s VU Women's Center Volume XV/1:4 December 1994 Vanderbilt University ------Women 's sports at Vanderbilt They're not just playing catch-up any1nore by Fm11 M. Hoogestmnf, academic CO l/li­ The budget now tops $2 million, out crowds, women's sports are still se/or for Vnllderbi/1 Atltletics n11d doctoral having risen $1 million in the last four grouped with the other "non-rev­ cnlldidnte i11 t!te Depnrfmellf of Educn­ years alone. Moreover, all but one of enue" men's teams in Stewart's tiollnl Lenders/tip these sports is now "fully scholar­ purview: soccer, baseball, golf, tennis shipped" - meaning they a'vvard the and cross country. For men's sports at Vanderbilt, maximum number of scholarships But even that detail of nomencla­ 1976 was a pretty good year. The "F allowed by the National Collegiate hlre has changed. With the support of Troop"- three star basketball players Athletic Association (NCAA). The sin­ Athletic Director Paul Hoolahan, whose names all began ,.. , ith the letter gle exception is track - and its deci­ Stewart recently had her title revised "F" - led the Commodores to a 16-11 sion to award fewer than the 16 allow­ to "associate athetic director fo r future season. Vandy baseball, under coach able scholarships is entirely strategic. revenue sports." Larry Schmittou (now owner of the Nashville Sounds) won 27 of its 50 The 1994-95 Lineup games. Even football, despite its lack­ S £!~.' :C CAN ..Do Basketball. Women's basketball luster 2-9 season, continued to draw J""I-I~M ALl-! has Jed the growth in Vanderbilt the biggest crowds of any sport. women's sports, first reaching an But in 1976, the most ta lented NCAA national tournament in 1986, female athlete at Vanderbilt did not and advancing to the elite "Final compete in a single intercollegiate Four" national tournament in Atlanta contest. Apart from intramural and in 1993. Even though megastar Heidi club tea ms, there were no women's Gillingham has graduated, many of sports at Vanderbilt 18 years ago. her teammates are still in action, It would be another year before including senior guard Rhonda women's athletics were established at Blades, \·vho is joined by tlu·ee new Vanderbilt. Yet in that one year - Kodak high school AU-Americans. As 1977 - the university fi elded four the team enters the 1994-95 season, women's teams: basketball, tennis, Vandy is ranked anywhere from 5th to track and swimming. The budget was 16th in the pre-season polls. just $30,000 for all four sports, includ­ Though women's basketball con­ ing one (partial) scholarship. But tinues to be the highest-visibility according to Associate Athletic Direc­ women's team, having earned #1 tor June Stewart, the funding was sec­ ra nkings in season's polls for two ondary. The chief thing was that years, its past successes and future women's sports at Vanderbilt had For a school whose women's sports prospects are echoed throughout the been born. program is younger than most of its \VOmen's sports program. Today, there are seven women's students, this is a promising record, Soccer. Added to the roster in 1985, sports at Vanderbilt - basketball, soc­ and one which continues to narro\v \vomen's soccer has consistently cer, tennis, golf, and the three the gap (real or perceived) between deli vered on its early promise. After "branches" of track: cross country, men's and women's sports. Although posting an 11-8 season in 1993, the indoor track and outdoor track. the university does not reveal specific team \·vent on not only to win the first (Swimming was discontinued in 1992 figures, the current budget for men's Southeastern Conference (SEC) cham­ due to insufficient members to field a teams still outpaces that for women, pionship that year, but to see Ken Division I team.) Next year, there wi ll with 85 scholarships in football alone. McDonald named SEC Coach of the be a total of eight teams, as lacrosse is And even though Vlomen's basketball Year. This season the team not only added to the list. in particular occasionally plays to sell- repeated as SEC champs, but earned --collfillued 011 page 2 its first at-large berth in the NCAA petitor this fall in the Riviera All­ meters with a time of 4.22.49. Also last national tournament. Captain Chris­ American in Los Angeles. Also on the year, Beth Tallent qualified for the tine Watson and her tean1mates won a teatn is freshman Sarah Brown, the NCAA Championship in the 3000 first-round match on Nov. 9 and country's reigning national 18-and­ meters with a 9.29.1, and in July, advanced to the final 16, posting an under indoor chatnpion. Nicole Underwood represented the 18-5 record for the year. Golf. Women's golf is breaking North team in the 1500 meters in the Tennis. The wmnen~s tennis team, records of its own, as the 1993-94 team U.S. Olympic Festival in St. Louis. ranked 28th last year under Coach set seven school records and Cindy Underwood joined Tallent, Spannuth Peggy Omohundro, is now led by Parrott was named SEC Coach of the and Kazmni Oyan1a in a 1500-nleter

Vanderbilt Sports t Women athletes are making not only headlines but history at Vanderbilt. Some of the players are (from left):Rhonda Blades (basket­ ball); Christine Watson (soccer); Kim Schiff (tennis); Lesley Henderson (golf); Whitney Spannuth (cross country); and coach of the new lacrosse team, Wendy Heald Stevens. Geoff Macdonald, starting his first Year. Freshman Jamie Russell began relay temn whose time was ranked 6th Vandy season following his move the fall by placing first in two tourna­ collegiately in the U.S. last season. from Duke and his #6 nationally n1ents, and sophomore Lesley Hen­ If women's sports at Vanderbilt are ranked team there. Macdonald, who derson led the team with hvo belo,v­ growing in quality, they are also led his former Duke team to three par rounds (a first for the Vanderbilt growing in quantity: witness Vander­ conseetttive NCAA tournatnents, con­ team) at the Beacon Woods Invitation­ bilt's new lacrosse tean1. Hired to siders the SEC the best conference al in New Port Richey, Fla. The wom­ coach this team is Wendy Heald nationally for tennis. en's golf team now has its first Stevens, a former three-time All­ Joining Macdonald is Duke tennis endowed scholarship and hosts the American from Maryland and a key transfer Kim Schiff, a near qualifier for SEC Championship at Legends Golf member of Maryland's 1986 NCAA the U.S. Open last summer and a com- Course April21-23 in Franklin, Tenn. National Championship team. With Cross country, track and field. her national perspective, Stevens is Athletes in these sports are also mak­ avidly recruiting the nation's top high ing the Vanderbilt name known. Whit­ schoolers to fill out her first Vanderbilt 111'- ney Spannuth made the 1993-94 U.S. varsity team, which will enjoy its first Women's VU is published monthly September World Junior Cross Country team that intercollegiate season in Spring 1996. through June at the Margaret Cunlngglm Women's Center. Vanderbilt University, competed in Budapest, competing as 1996- 1976. What a difference 20 Nashville, Tennessee. Campus address: 316 the fastest U.S. Junior in the 1500 years makes. Ill West Side Row. Mailing address: Box 1513 Sta­ tion B, Nashville. TN 37235. Phone: (615) 322- 4843. Fox: (615) 343-G940. E-mail address: HOW TO FIND US ..• [email protected]. West End Ave. Nancy A Ransom, director Judith Tefft Heifer, oss!stont director for Towers Wesf-D D D D--Towers East programs Marjorie Davis, editor (direct dia/343-4367) B Margaret Cuningglm Women's Cenle Jennifer E. Smith, A&S '96, assistant editor D Barbara Clarke, librarian ~/I Gladys Holt, office manager ~ B2]Tolman Cindy Brown, cartoonist ~ Colre-----, This Is o copyrighted publication. Articles may D Sarratt be reproduced with permission of the editor. Memorlall-----,..,...--,-,-l:,-;=---'------Student letfers to the editor ore welcome. Send them Gym Vanderblll Place Center (typed, signed, and with a daytime phone number, please) to the above address. I

2 Women's VU December 1994 AIDS risk held twice as high Wife's adultery means less ~NEWS m women jail for killing her? W mnen are n1ore than twice as For the tabloids, the case of Ken­ likely as men to become infected with neth Peacock, 36 - \Vho was sen­ the virus that causes AIDS during het­ tenced to 18 months in jail for killing QUOTES~ erosexual sex, a study by an Italian his wife, Sandra -is the lurid story of research group reports. a long-distance trucker who can1e The study, published in the home at the wrong tiine. ... a compilation of news excerpts from the November issue of the journal Epi­ But for many women's groups and national press. Some stories have bem demiology, provides further evidence legal experts, it is an example of a edited for clarity, consistency or brevity ... that anatomical and physiological dif­ troubling double standard in judicial ferences between the sexes make sentencing for offenses conunitted in wmnen tnore susceptible than n1en to the first heat of passion.... contracting the virus, H.I.V .... When Peacock arrived at his Mary­ Women win as often as men Among 730 couples, 24% of land hmne around tnidnight, his wife The first-ever cmnprehensive sur­ wmnen whose partners \vere infected was in bed, naked, with another man. vey of n1en and wmnen candidates' with H.I.V. tested positive for the Peacock chased the other man away at success rates smashes long-held per­ virus, in cmnparison with 10% of their gunpoint, and at about 4 a.n1., after ceptions about \Vmnen' s ability to win 1nale counterparts. drinking and arguing, he shot his wife elections, proving that women \Vin as New York Times in the head. often as men do. Sept. 1, 1994 He pleaded guilty to voluntary The National Women's Political manslaughter, but his sentencing in Caucus study, titled Perception and Baltimore County Circuit Court set off Reality: A Study Comparing the Success protests. judge Robert E. Cahill sen­ of Men and Womeu Candidates, com­ How brothers may help girls tenced him to 18 1nonths in prison, pared the success of 50,563 major get ahead saying that he wished he did not have party candidates in general elections to send him to prison at all. for state house and state senate in New research indicates that girls' III seriously wonder how n1any 1986, 1988, 1990 and 1992, and for U.S. educational prospects may be limited men married five, four years would House, U.S. Senate and governor since even before they get to school by the have the strength to walk away with­ 1972. configuration of their families. out inflicting smne corporal punish­ The study found that electoral suc­ Econmnists Kristin F. Butcher and ment," said Cahill. cess has nothing to do with sex, and Anne Case looked at how the sex of a Te1messcan everything to do with incumbency. woman's siblings affects her educa­ Oct. 23, 1994 When male incumbents were coin­ tion. Studying ·white ·wmnen born pared to fetnale inctunbents, wmnen between 1920 and 1965, they found $5 million in damages in won as high a percentage of their races that a woman who had only brothers Ta illwok case as men. \'\'omen incmnbents won 94% got, on average, n1ore schooling and of their races, as did n1en incmnbents. ultilnately made more n1oney than a A former Navy lieutenant who Both men and vvomen running for woman who grew up with one or said she was sexually assaulted by open seats \Von 53% of the titne. n1ore sisters.... other officers at an aviators conven­ Female challengers won 11% of their Certainly there are 1nany wmnen tion three years ago \Vas awarded $5 races, compared to 9% for men. who come from families in which all tnillion in punitive damages frmn the Although women are 51% of the the girls got college degrees. "Many of hotel where the gathering took place. population and 53% of voters, they us think that growing up with all girls A Federal jury ordered the Las make up only 21% of state legislators, tnakes you stronger," says Heidi Hart­ Vegas Hilton and its parent company, 11% of U.S. House members, 7% of Inann, director of the Institute on Hilton Hotels Corporation, to pay the U.S. Senators and 8% of governors. Women's Policy Research. "You get damages, which will be added to $1.7 The study showed that the reason n1ore support." million in con1pensatory damages, to there are so few women in public Others believe that thanks to a Paula Coughlin, whose suit said the office is not that \VOinen candidates house full of brothers, they learned to hotel failed to provide adequate secu­ don't win elections, but that so few cmnpete and make then1selves heard rity during the September 1991 Tail­ women have run. - and so, succeeded in school. hook Association convention.

Women's Political Times Wall Street ]ounwl New York Times Fall1994 Oct. 14,1994 Sept. 11, 1994

December 1994 Women's VU 3 Two ongoing programs at the Women's Birthdays of 1 Center offer support, self-development Notable December Women ,

Writers Workshop: Topics range widely for 2 1894 Reporter Bess Furman, support group for women the Creative Life first wmnan to cover Congress who like to write Planning Group 7 1873 Author Willa Cather

Donrt let the nmne intimidate you: The Creative Life Planning Group 9 1906 Grace Hopper, Navy rear the Margaret Cuninggim Center Writ­ is a weekly fonun where every opin­ admiral, developer of COBOL ers Workshop is not limited to Pulitzer ion counts, and no topic is too trivial computer language Prize nmninees. Members (all women) for discussion. Members choose each run the gamut of literary aspiration, meeting's topic, .---m.,..,..,e-,e"'ts,-1"'2"-"'1-p.,..,""m". 10 1830 Poet Emily Dickinson from published poets and successful passing the lead- every Tuesday lyricists, to closet novelists and stu­ ership within the c___ _:_ ___ '-J 11 1893 Astronomer Annie Can- dents ·with a term paper due. group. Occasionally, outside speakers non; she classified 350,000 stars Participants read, discuss and cri­ are invited to head up the forum. tique original writings, their own as Among recent subjects put forth 14 1897 Margaret Chase Smith, well as others'. meets 5:15 to 7:15 for discussion: Congresswon1an and Senator In addition to every second and sharing in the fourth Wednesday •!• Aging 16 1901 Anthropologist Margaret creative act, •!• Dreams Mead they may also share n1ore prosaic •!• Meditation resources, such as n1arketing strate­ •!• Coping with serious illness 21 1937 Activist and actress Jane gies and upcmning conferences. Fonda The Writers Workshop meets from The group meets at the Women's 5:15 to 7:15 every second and fourth Center from 12-1 p.m. every Tuesday 23 1867 Black entrepreneur Sarah Wednesday (second Wednesdays only throughout the year, except during Walker, first self-made woman in November and December) at the certain holidays. There's roon1 for ne"\v n1illionaire Wmnen's Center. Drop-ins are wel­ n1e1nbers now. For tnore infonnation, conle. If you'd like n1ore inforn1ation, call Judy Helfer at the Women's Cen­ 31 1877 Archeologist Edith Hall call Dikkie Schoggen at 356-2381. ter at 322-6518. Eat more, gain less An innovative program at the Dayani Center shows not only that it can be done, but how

Take this little quiz: INSITE Program at the Kim Dayani After a required screening session, Center. progran1 participants receive a reconl­ •:• Question #1: Have you ever bro­ The INSITE Program teaches the mended treatment plan designed and ken a date, skipped a family outing or concept of normal eating to people overseen by a staff of professionals missed a class because you felt you whose eating behaviors are decidedly with expertise in nutrition, exercise, had to jog a11other three miles? abnormal. What's "abnormal"? Any of medicine and psychology. In addition •!• Questio11 #2: Do you spend most the three behaviors mentioned above to further individual sessions, the plan of your day thinking about food or should qualify: letting food rule your may call for group sessions, medical planning what you're going to eat life; missing out on social or profes­ assessments and fitness evaluations. next? sional activities because you feel fat; Demonstrations of healthy cooking •!• Questio11 #3: Have your clothes dieting even after you've reached a techniques are also available at the stopped fitting because they're too big, realistic weight. Dayani Center, as well as computer­ yet you still feel fat all of the time? The INSITE Program is also recom­ ized dietary analyses and presenta­ mended for binge eaters, compulsive tions on nutrition-related topics. If you answered yes to any of these overeaters and those diagnosed with For information, call the INSITE questions, you might benefit from the anorexia nervosa or buliinia. Program at 322-4751. II

4 Women's VU December 1994 D Please save and post. Individual flyers for these programs may not be sent.

Through December 9 E Sense of Self. Acrylics by Carolyn McDonald. Cuninggim Center Art Gallery. December 6 (Tuesday) c Creative Life Planning Group. 12-1 p.m. Also meets December 13 and 20. CR (Consciousness Raising) Discussion Group meets (most) Tuesdays at 7:30p.m. at the Women's Center. Hosted by Students for Women's Concerns, it explores issues of E concern to women at Vanderbilt, such as campus security and eating disorders. Call Melinda Le,vis at 421-6451 for n1ore infonnation and to confinn n1eeting dates.

December 7 (Wednesday) M Gender Study Group. 5-6 p.m. Participants read short essays to discuss at each ses­ sion. Spaces are available for new members; women interested in joining the group should speak with Nancy Ransom, 322-4843.

B December 9 (Friday) Brown Bag Lunch for Staff and Faculty. The second Friday of each month throughout the year is designated as a time for guests to meet the Cuninggim Center staff and learn E about activities and progratns. Men as well as women are invited to bring a lunch from 12-1 p.m. Hot and cold beverages will be provided.

December 12 (Monday) R Book Group. This month's title for discussion is Grave Mistake by Ngaio Marsh. Elaine Goleski is facilitator. This meeting will be held off-campus, beginning at 5:15p.m. Call 297-6302 (daytime) or 329-0180 (evenings) if you plan to attend.

Calendar December 14 (Wednesday) Writers Workshop. 5:15-7:15 p.m. New members welcome. See related item 011 page 4. of Events December 19 (Monday) Dissertation Writers Group I. 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Margaret December 23 (Friday) Cuninggim University Holiday. Office closed. December 26 (Monday) Women's Center University Holiday. Office closed.

Happy Holidaysl

ll11less otherwise stated, all programs are held at the Cu11i11ggim Ce11ter, Fra11kli11 Buildi11g, 316 West Side Row. For more illformatioll, please call 322-4843.

December 1994 Women's VU 5 In the library... Three new reference works, plus a look at "intentional childlessness"

include data of all types- short arti­ have children and hnw others have cles, statistics, concise advice and reacted to their decision. information, bibliographies, and Morell explores some of the com­ addresses and telephone numbers of mon prejudices in our society regard­ organizations and agencies. ing intentional childlessness: that motherhood is the normal state for Martha Priddy Patterson, author of adult women; that childless women A valuable addition to our refer­ Tlze Working Woman's Guide to Retire­ are to be pitied; and that wmnen who ence collection is Tile Womeu's Cilrouol­ ment Plmming: Saving & Investing Now do not want children are selfish and ogy: A Year-by- Year Record, from Preilis­ for a Secure Future (Prentice Hall, 1993), aberrant. Wmnen who have chosen tory to tile Preseut (Henry Holt, 1994) saw the need for a book on retirernent not to be mothers often have to justify by James Trager, author of Tile People's planning aimed specifically at women. their decision, she says, while those Cilrouology. The writer noticed that Patterson is a '" . 'OlUW\C who have decided to have children most histories pay little attention to lawyer with 16 WOM.\YS. rarely have to explain that choice. women, though not infrequently "it years' experience in @ M! Finally, the writer illustrates the has been won1en who made the key employee benefits. IIETJI\EMF.l\T social and political iinplications of decisions that decided the fate not In general, wo­ PL\'Il\lL\C intentional childlessness. According to merely of their own families but of nlen live longer her, "unapologetic childless \Vmnen, nations." than n1en, earn less consciously or not, defy a culture, an Trager includes n1ore than 13,000 and are more likely ideology, a language which structures entries documenting wmnen' s history to leave the work­ female life around the male and and achievements and the events force ·when chil­ around childbearing and childrear­ affecting won1en. Items are arranged dren are born or'------~ ing." by year; within each year they are fur­ when farnily rnembers becmne ill. ther divided into 29 categories, includ­ Wmnen also change jobs more often Stanlie M. James and Abena P. A. ing education, science, literature, than men and are less likely to work in Busia are the editors of Theorizing Black nutrition, music, medicine, sports, positions with retiren1ent benefits. Feminisms: Tlze Visionary Pragmatism of technology and Consequently, won1en tend to have Black Women (Routledge, 1993), a col­ art. Each cate­ smaller pensions or none at all and are lection of articles by notable black gory is identi­ much more likely than n1en to live in women scholars ·who discuss contetn­ fied by a differ­ poverty after retirement. porary black femi­ ent symbol. Patterson divides her \vork into nist thought as it The length three sections. In the first she explains relates to a variety of each chapter the basics of retirement planning; in of topics. Among depends on our the other sections she discusses suit­ the rnany themes knowledge of able sources of retirement savings and are higher educa­ that era. For suggests how rnuch v·.romen of differ­ tion, mothering, instance, while ent ages should save and invest for African wmnen there are only three pages devoted to their old age. Appendices illustrate and developtnent, the fourth century, there are 36 pages how to detennine the time value of health and social on the 17th century, and ten Iimes that money and give sample calculations of class, HIV trans­ many on the 20th century. retiren1ent benefits. tnission in Uganda, on.t"'· aborti<)n. and the Work Progress Administra­ Tile 1995 IufonuatiOII Please Womeu's In Unwomanly Conduct: Tlze Clzal­ tion's interviews with fanner slaves. Sourcebook (Houghton Mifflin, 1994), lenges of Intentiozwl Childlessness (Rout­ edited by Lisa DiMona and Constance ledge, 1994), Carolyn M. Morell dis­ Other recent acquisitions include: Herndon, contains information on a cusses rnarried wmnen who decided .Lnst Served? Gendering tlze HIV Pandem­ vast array of topics of interest and con­ to remain childless and \vho do not ic by Cindy Patton; Cracking tlze Glass cern to wornen. The material is regret their choice. The writer, an Ceiling: Strategies for Success edited by arranged in a dozen broad categories, assistant professor of social work at Debra F. Scheinholtz; and Dis/zing It including health, politics, education, Niagara University, interviewed 34 Out: Waitresses aud Tlzeir llnious in tlze work, violence and safety, child care, non-mothers aged 40 to 78. These Tweutietlz Century by Dorothy Sue and retirement planning. The editors women explain why they chose not to Cobble. II

6 Women's VU December 1994 an1ong non-smoking won1en aged 35- !fij~ICAI fl! NL$S ~ew 'Sal !AI SOffORff GOOU Dl£1 ~ $£tf CAR£ vF ON' I 39 who do not use oral contraception, the rate of heart attack is four per 100,000. Among those who take the ·H*• .,. ~~rf.-7-. k.~a .f~- ~ .~- ~ pill, the rate is seven per 100,000. ---~ - _, -- Okay - so why all the colors? -- Culpy Most pills are marketed in one-month (28-day) packages, and in one, two, or ttrnlrAI GA6FH)JIRITUAUftrA\JAA!Nm9LOV£, !NifU[trOAi INJ[MS"ffi three progesterone dosages. Within the package, the pills are color-coded Health matters to indicate the level of progesterone they contain. The most widely pre­ De-mysticizing the birth control pill scribed low-dose combination pills are called "monophasic," 1neaning they provide a constant dose of both prog­ by Caroline Chafin, B.A., English and month. It's primarily the progesterone esterone and estrogen throughout the Linguistics, University of British Cohun­ in the pill that prevents this ovulation, cycle of 21 pills. These 21 pills are all bia, and a student in Vanderbilt's Master although estrogen also contributes to the san1e color. In addition, there are of Science in Nursing (MSN) program blocking ovulation. Estrogen plays a seven more pills in a contrasting color further role in contraception by chang­ at the end of the pack . These pills are ing the lining of the uterus, tnaking it inert, but are included to make pill­ Since their introduction 35 years hostile to pregnancy. taking easier and n1ore autmnatic by ago, birth control pills have become In developing oral contraceptives, eliminating the need to stop for a by far the tnost popular contraceptive the goal has always been to create pills week, then re-start. For exmnple, in a in the United States. Today, with more with the lowest possible dose of hor­ pack of Ortho-Novum 1/35, 21 pills than 30 brands on the market, a tnones, the lowest possible risk of are peach, and seven are green. wmnan has good reason to be con­ pregnancy, and the fewest possible Pills containing two or three doses fused. Which brand is best? How does side effects and other health risks. of progesterone are known as bi- or one differ from another? And why Because estrogen is the culprit in the tri-phasic. They are designed to mimic might her pack contain pink and green rare but serious risks of stroke and the changing estrogen and proges­ pills, while her best friend's pills are heart attack, it is this cmnponent that terone levels occurring in a natural blue, white, yellow and orange? has been steadily ratcheted back in menstrual cycle. In n1ost cases, the Despite the multitude of brands most brands of birth control pills. estrogen in these pills remains at a available, birth control pills are sur­ Today, the estrogen content in constant low dose while the proges­ prisingly similar. They all contain very combination pills has probably been terone dose increases. In bi-phasics, small doses of synthetic hormones: reduced as far as possible without sac­ such as Ortho-Novum 10/11, the either a con1bination of estrogen and rificing its effectiveness as a contracep­ dosage increases once, after ten days. progesterone, or progesterone alone. tive. The amount of estrogen in these In tri-phasics, such as Triphasil, Most wmnen use cmnbination pills so-called "low-dose" pills is 35 micro­ dosage increases every seven days. because the side effects of estrogen granls or less; the lowest of the low­ These packs have one color for each and progesterone are less bothersome dose pills contain 20 micrograms. different level of progesterone, plus than with progesterone alone. De­ Twenty-nine pill brands fit the lowest one more for the seven inert pills. pending on the type and amount of dose category, including Norinyl So which pill is best? While few hormones in a pi1l, common side 1/35, Ortho-Novum 1/35, Nordette con1parative studies are available, all effects range from breast tenderness to and Jenest. Although birth control of the combination low-dose pills do a spotting to nausea. While pill-users pills containing up to 100 micrograms good job preventing pregnancy, pro­ should be aware of such changes, they of estrogen remain on the market, few viding they are taken every day, and should also bear in mind that estrogen \Vornen need such high dosages. at approximately the same time every and progesterone are present and In fact, low-dose pills have pretty day. Changing pill brands should be active in all women during their much replaced older, high-dose pills. undertaken with care, however, and reproductive years. Therefore, many Not only are they are as effective in discussed with a health care provider. of the side effects of birth control pills preventing unwanted pregnancies as Vanderbilt's Student Health Ser­ are related to the pill's hormonal influ­ high-dose pills; they also lower the vices (322-2474) dispense a variety of ences on a variety of body systems and potential for health risks. The pill is oral contraceptives at a reduced cost of are probably not cause for concern. 97% effective, while the risk of stroke $5-$7 a pack. Students are generally Combination pills prevent preg­ and heart attack for users increases required to have their gynecologic nancy by sending a daily signal to the only slightly over that of women who exam done at the Student Health Cen­ ovaries not to release an egg each don't use the pill at all. For example, ter to be eligible for low-cost pills. Ill

December 1994 Women's VU 7 Announcements Conferences FIRST-CLASS MAIL •!• Community Action Grants sup­ A Woman's War Too: U.S. Women in DELIVERY NOW AVAILABLE port projects that promote education the Military in World War II will be and equity for \vomen and girls. held Mar. 3-4, 1995, in Washington. Attention, off-campus subscribers Grants up to $5,000 can be applied to For more information, contact the to Women's VU - particularly those office expenses, travel and other pro­ National Archives, Room G-10 whose newsletters tend to arrive late ject-related costs. Application deadlines (WWII), Washington, DC 20408. Tel: via third-class bulk mail. First-class nrc Feb. 1 and Sept.1, 1995 . 202-501-5525. mail delivery is now available. Unlike third-class mail, first-class Southeastern Women's Studies Asso­ Programs, etc. mail must be delivered the day it is ciation announces two student awards "Black Women Who Have Made a received by the branch post office. in connection \·vith SEWSA's 1995 Difference" is the Dec. 3 program of The cost of a first-class subscrip­ Annual Conference, March 3-5, in the Middle Tennessee Women's Stud­ tion is $15 a year; regular (third-class) Tuscaloosa, AL: ies Association. Speaker is Jessie Car­ subscriptions will continue to be $8. •!• First Annual Student Awards for ney Smith, Ph.D., Cosby Professor of Please use the form below to request Outstanding Scholarship on Women Humanities and University Librarian, the first-class option. of Color will honor two original Fisk University. The program begins research papers addressing women of \ at 10:30 a.m. in the Van Vechten color. Two students (one undergradu­ Gallery on the Fisk campus. For more Grants & fellowships ate, one graduate) will each receive information, call Kriste Lindermeyer The American Association of Univer­ $200. Papers must have been given at at 615-373-3330. sity Women (AAUW) seeks applicants SEWSA's 1994 annual conference, .or for the following grants. Application expect to be given at the 1995 confer­ "When Violence Hits Home," a forms may be requested from the ence. Send finis hed papers by Jan. 15, forum on domestic violence, takes AAUW, 2201 N. Dodge St., Iowa City, 1995, to Marie Farr (Chair of Awards place Dec. 8, 1·1:30 a.m.-1 p.m., in the IA 52243. Tel: 319-337-1716. Committee), English Dept., East Car­ chapel at Fisk University. Speakers •!• Career Development Grants are olina Univ., A-204 Brewster Bldg., include Mayor Phil Bredesen, busi­ for women who have gone back to Greenville, NC 27858. nesswoman Andrea Conte, WTVF school in order to change or advance •!• Student Travel Grants of $100 are anchor Chris Clark, Assistant District their careers or to re-enter the work­ for travel to the 1995 conference. Pref­ Attorney Mary Hausman and others. force. Grants up to $5,000 are available erence is given to students presenting Registration ($15) begins at 11 a.m. at for tuition, fees, supplies, etc. Applicn­ papers. Contact Diana Scully, Wom­ the corner of 14th Ave. N. and Phillips. tioll dendli11c is ]n11 . 3, 1995. en's Studies, Virginia Commonwealth Lunch may be purchased in the Fisk Univ., Box 843060, Richmond, VA cafeteria following the program. For 23284-3060. Tel: 804-828-4041. Appli cn­ information call 862-6000 or 862-7887. {i) pri11ted 011 recycled paper tioll deadline is Jm t. 15, 1995.

Vn11derbilt U11 ivcrsity is committed to pri11ciples of equal opport1111ity n11d affirmative nctio11.

Women's VU Margaret C uninggim Women' s Center NON-PROFIT ORG. Vanderbilt University U.S. POSTAGE To subscribe, return tltis form to the Women's Center or 316 West Side Row callus at 615-322-4843 (fax: 615-343-0940). Box 1513 Station B PAID Nashville, TN 37235 Newsletters (published monthly except July and NASHVILLE. T N August) are sent free upon request to all students and PERi\ liT NO. 293 contributors. Faculty and staff subscriptions are free to a Address Correction Requested campus address. Off-campus subscriptions are $8 a year, Include Mailing Label $15 if mailed first class. Please include your check, payable to Va nderbilt University, with your subscription.

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