A Feminist Voice Since 1969 ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN PSYCHOLOGY
Spring Issue, June 5, 2019, Yuki Okubo, Newsletter Editor INSIDE THIS ISSUE: C O -C O ’ S C ORNER BY S HARON S IEGEL Co-Co’s Corner 1-2 Good day AWPers. Warm greetings to you Introducing new IMPs 3-4 from hot Palm Springs, California. I know many of you have suffered through an extra- Older Women’s 4-5 long and uncomfortable (to say the least) Caucus Report winter. I wish you well! by Leonore Tiefer
UN Report 6-7 I am having a delightful time reflecting on the by Maram Hallak 2019 AWP conference — “Gold, Bold and More to Be Told: Our Feminist Journey” at Sex Roles Latest 7 by Jan Yoder Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina in Rhode Island. Thank you so much Kat Quina, Mary AWP 2019 Report by 8-9 Zahn and your many volunteers, for this Kat Quina & Mary creative and outstanding conference. We Zahm happily joined with you to celebrate our 50th AWP 2019 Photos 10-12 anniversary as an organization at our 40th annual conference. Good cake! Special From Activism Caucus 13, thanks also to Leonore Tiefer and Gail Lloyd By Joan Chrisler & 16, Paula Kaplan 18- for “Stories from the Founding to the 50th,” a 19, & 17 minute video and timeline of conference 23 locations. Sharon Siegel Hot Topics 14 CoCo By Leah Sobel What fun, to surprise Mary Zahm with the Christine Ladd-Franklin Award, and then to Many ideas that will enhance our “We the Peoples” 15-16 immediately honor Mary Zahm and Kat organization have come from the 2019 by Mala Matacin Quina with the Doris Howard Lifetime conference, including but not limited to: Pride Month at PWQ 17 Achievement Award, previously offered only four times in 40 years! And this year, the determination of ways to AWP 2020 Conference 20-21 Rhode Island AWP collective established the teleconference or Skype conference By Sharon Lamb & Christine Blasey-Ford Woman of Courage plenaries to AWPers who cannot get Debra Mollen Award, and honored Blasey-Ford as an to conferences (we need more ideas); Editor’s Reflection 21 & important trail-blazer for feminists (not to reestablishment of the Student By Yuki Okubo 23 diminish the importance of Anita Hill and so Research Award, now Co-Chaired by many others!). Rebecca Smart and Yuying Tsong; Our Feminist Journey 22 reinvigoration of the Activism Caucus, By Marissa Lawrence It was so nice to connect with dear friends with Joan Chrisler and Paula Caplan PAW Call for 24 whom I see only once each year, to enhance at the helm; Submission relationships with early career professionals bringing a feminist lens to new AWP and many students from differing healing awards — acceptance by the AWP Call for Awards 25-27 professions. Professionally, I always benefit 2019 Business Meeting of the “Living from critical thinking, new research and Implementation 28 our Visions Award” honoring Susan feminist processes for moving forward in life. Collective Meeting Morrow; and, the “Christine Blasey- Minutes This conference was no exception! Ford Woman of Courage Page 2 Spring Issue, 2019
CO -CO ’S CORNER BY S HARON S IEGEL (CON’T)
Award” (both to be electronically voted by The AWP Imps are working hard at many the AWP membership); tasks. We need help from the membership exploring new and creative ways to hold to handle various issues: the Strategic and strengthen our ties with the SPW Plan and (finalization of) Fiscal Policy need (APA’s Division 35) now that the Ad Hoc Committees or Task Forces for Implementation Collective decided to not completion. Please contact me if you can staff the APA Suite beginning in 2020 assist. (pending commentary and agreement by our membership); Changes coming: we will miss the “It was so nice ways to enhance participation, adding awesome and brilliant service to the AWP to connect with contacts, volunteering, and increasing Implementation Collective, by Riddhi Sandil dear friends AWP membership for our 2020 Austin, and Aliya Kahn, and soon to “roll-off” Texas, AWP conference, (“Sexual Nikolai Houston. We cannot thank you whom I see only Agency/Sexual Rights”); enough! Congratulations to AWP/SPW once each year, moving forward from #metoo, with Suite Coordinator Keely Hirsch on her to enhance political activism to address the recent marriage. And we now welcome popularization of misogynist standards. incoming Imps: Celina Whitmore, Mindy relationships Erchull and Fran Trotman. And the beat with early career We have an awesome group of goes on … professionals Implementation Collective members! In and many addition to adhering to their job descriptions, Bye for now dear AWP members. I hope each Imp is now committed to serving on your Summer time will be a time of students from actualizing your dreams and plans. differing healing annual AWP Conference Committees in the capacity most suited to their Imp positions. According to designs on ancient pottery, professions.” This is an important change in governance, cave frescoes and archeological evidence, implemented because of the need for when the sun is at its fiery best we women organizational memory as conference (especially women) “take care of business.” Sharon Siegel It’s time to move toward whatever we most planning takes place, and oftentimes because there are fewer onsite volunteers. Now desire. familiar with the Vieth website, Mary Zahn has stepped forward to help with 2020 Warm regards from conference registration and programming. To your Collective Coordinator, all: thank you for all who are involved, to Sharon others — please be in touch with the 2020 conference coordinators if you can volunteer.
E MGAGING WITH OUR S OCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS
Our new AWP Website AWP Facebook page: https://www.awpsych.org/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/29473119739/ Association for Women in Psychology Page 3 I NTRODUCING CELINA WHITMORE NEW W EBSITE /COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
My name is Celina Whitmore and I am excited to have just started my term as the IMP Communications and Website Coordinator for AWP. I received my Bachelor’s in Health Sciences at the University of Hartford (2015) and my Master’s Degree in Community Psychology at the University of New Haven (2017). Currently I work as a Resident Director at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, CT. I enjoy the work that I do and the meaningful relationships I get to build with my staff, students, and colleagues.
I am passionate about understanding the school and college experiences of QTPOC in order to be an advocate and change agent for cultural shifts to make education more inclusive and welcoming for all students.
As an IMP I’m hoping to bring new ideas and collaborations into the organization to make it a more welcoming place for diverse students, activists, and young professionals.
In my free time I enjoy listening to audiobooks, interesting podcasts, gardening, Celina Whitmore physical exercise, and exploring trails and parks with my dog Penelope. Website/Communications Coordinator
I NTRODUCING M INDY ERCHULL NEW TREASURER
I am a Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I’m a social psychologist, and I do research on a diverse array of topics including the objectification and sexualization of women, feminist identity, division of labor and parenting, and education about and attitudes towards menstruation.
I have been a member of AWP since 1997 when I was an undergraduate at Connecticut College. I’ve previously served as Co-Coordinator of the Researchers’ Caucus and as the Co- Coordinator for the SWP/SPW Featured Feminist Science Symposia Series. I’m excited to have my schedule and skills finally line up with an opening on the IMPs and look forward to beginning my term as treasurer in June.
While I’m very familiar with AWP as a long-time member, I know that I’ll learn a lot more about the organization as an IMP, particularly as treasurer as finances are integrated through all aspects of the organization. Mindy Erchull Incoming Treasurer You can reach me at [email protected]. Page 4 Spring Issue, 2019 I NTRODUCING F RAN TROTMAN NEW WOMEN OF COLOR COORDINATOR
Born and raised in Harlem, NYC, Dr. Fran Trotman received her PhD and M.Phil. in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University, and an M.S. in Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from C.U.N.Y.
Dr. Trotman has been in private practice for over 40 years. Prior to that, she had been a teacher, school counselor, social worker, community organizer and activist.
Dr. Trotman is currently retired from a Full Professorship at Monmouth University where she developed, directed, and founded and chaired the Graduate Program in Psychological Counseling.
She is also a Fellow (div. 35, 44, &45) of the American Psychological Association (APA). She has many publications in the areas of counseling and psychotherapy, resilience, multicultural counseling, grand-mothering, and aging. She has numerous national and international professional presentations, publications and awards, including AWP’S Women Empowering Women’s Award, and APA’s (div. 35) Heritage Award.
Fran Trotman Women of Color Coordinator
OLDER WOMEN ’S CAUCUS REPORT FROM NEWPORT , 2019 BY L EONORE TIEFER
At the 2019 Rhode Island AWP Maureen McHugh Michele (and Curt) Wittig conference, the OWC decided to I want to live in a warm(er) climate I'm hoping to remain independent contribute a regular column to the near one of my daughters and/or for another 50 years in Santa newsletter in which we would, family, I am looking forward to a Monica, where I have access to briefly, share our thoughts and granddaughter this year (2019); she public transportation, am involved decisions about important issues will be born in Atlanta. Moving itself in grassroots organizing, take free we are dealing with in this phase of is an overwhelming idea. Discarding classes and sing in a community life as a feminist psychologist. books & papers, leaving friends & chorus. In good health, we two Family. academics with no children have TOPIC 1: Where are you planning been very fortunate and strive to to live after your retirement, and Ellen Cole deserve it. why? At 78 I work FT, but just signed a 3-year "phase-out" contract. For Carla Golden decades my husband and I lived in Leonore Tiefer I plan to remain in the co-housing I’m really torn. I have an affordable homes provided by his job. When he community in Ithaca where I’ve NYC apt, but NY is getting hard for retired last year we bought an 1815 lived for 35 years. My partner and I farmhouse in rural upstate NY. me to tolerate in my 70s. I’d like to are talking about building a green, There's plenty to keep us busy here have an apt near friends. No kids or single-story dwelling on the partner, so the choices are pretty (forever). We plan to stay put until we property, so as to age in can't. broad. I could see an assisted place. There are many unknowns; living, but not with all strangers. maybe we’ll go elsewhere for the winters … (Con’t to next page) Association for Women in Psychology Page 5
O LDER WOMEN ’S CAUCUS REPORT (CON’T)
Sharon Siegel Alice Riger Carol Goodenow I am now selling my home of 49 My 50 words: I've moved to I'm by myself now, and my central years (half of which was built with Cleveland to be near old college friends. Massachusetts suburban house my own hands) - on an Oak Tree Doctors predict I may develop an doesn't make much sense any more. grove in the hills of Topanga incurable blood cancer, so best to be I'm considering some 55+ Canyon. I am happy in my Palm near friends I trust to care for me. But I independent living communities, Springs condo and I hope to remain take great pride in proving doctors' dire looking for one with cultural activities here and work two days a week, predictions wrong. Arthritis in and intelligent and engaged because it brings meaning to my remission, No cancer yet! residents, most likely in northern life. Maybe live communally with California near family. friends in a year or two. Angela Gillem Gail and I have considered multiple Joan Chrisler options, but the most compelling is to I love living at the beach in "age in place". We love our house, our Connecticut, so I plan to stay here neighborhood, and our neighbors and as long as I can. High real estate friends nearby. It's a very livable, taxes (and my bedroom on the third diverse, neighborhood, with public floor) could make me change my transportation a block away and lots of mind in 10-20 years. Have lived resources close by. near NYC all my life, so that’s important too. Mary Brabeck My retirement starts June 1st, which Kat Quina amazes me! I must have been having Retiring in 2016, I just wanted warm fun; time went so fast! I don't want to winters, an organized house, a leave Manhattan––the opera, theater, calmer life, a new identity. The and NYU library. For as long as I can, I election thrust me back into a harsh will toggle between NYC, Rhode Island, new reality; those goals remain and Boston––the grandkids and the unmet. I’m slowly learning how to garden. balance activism with self-care and allow my “new identity” to make Hilary Lips peace within me. I’m already retired, and chose to stay in Blacksburg, a university town that offers Mary Hayden lots of energy and activities without the I closed my office this month, so I'm big-city traffic. The disadvantage is that Leonore Tiefer just launching my retirement. So far it is not the easiest place from which to no plans to move - just gardening, launch air travel. Staying put keeps me painting, climate and election activ- near friends, though, unfortunately, far ism, tennis golf, reading. Said a sad from family. farewell this week to our 15 year old Lab, and beginning to look at travel websites.
A NY I DEAS FOR A C OLUMN ?
Have you ever thought about writing a column for a newsletter?
Do you have a story you would like to share with the membership?
I would be happy to consult with you with any ideas you may have to contribute to the future newsletters.
Please contact me at [email protected] Page 6 Spring Issue, 2019 AWP R EPRESENTED AT U NITED N ATIONS : R EPORT B Y M ARAM H ALLAK Our membership at the United Nations as a Alternate Representative. She brings her Non-Government Association (NGO) valuable energy and enthusiasm to our team as precipitate a special forum to fulfill our mission she continues to work on integrating her own and advance our philosophy. It permits us to teaching and research in university courses with voice opinions, discuss policies and ultimately the United Nations Sustainable Development effect change globally. AWP has been an Goals in various efforts, one of which is to active member with ongoing affiliation with the address global health inequalities. Her addition United Nations through their Civil Societies' promises diverse prospects and service on all It (our Department of Public Information (DPI). AWP levels: members information and collaboration, has maintained that membership since its recruitment and mentoring of other membership early commencement in the early seventies, representatives/youth representatives, which makes us one of the oldest feminist communicating important UN events to our at the organizations to join the United Nations, and interested members in order to open venues for United to render continuous representation. The presentations and participations, as well as other association has maintained accreditation and areas. Nations as good standing regularly and timely, and complied with all rules and regulation that Here’s why Dr. Matacin is the perfect fit for our a NGO) keep us active and participating members in team. In her own words: good standing. After I received my yearly badge to allow permits us to me enter to the United Nations’ premises on July voice As an NGO, our relations are maintained 26, 2018 I (Mala Matacin), I felt very grateful for though the evaluative process of the Annual this opportunity, overjoyed with the possibilities, opinions, Review submissions that ensures goal and ready to do what is possible to utilize this achievement and organizational compliance. unique forum to advance our mission and values. discuss Over 1,450 NGOs are currently in formal association with the Department of Public Attending the 67th UN/DPI conference entitled policies and Information. “We the Peoples: Together Finding Global ultimately Solutions for Global Problems” last August Our youth Representatives have important allowed me to be immersed in an unforgettable effect change forum from where they can voice their ideas experience. This annual conference attracts with honor and responsibility. They approximately 2,000 representatives globally globally.” acknowledge and value their important roles in from over 300 NGOs who represent more than bringing humanitarian issues and activities to 100 countries, and all I could imagine is our the UN. New advances in technology allowed members and students occupying a panel or a Maram Hallak connecting from a distance with a larger workshop where we can bridge our knowledge to AWP audience globally to exchange information and action. I left with so many new perspectives and facilitate participation. Nowadays, most of the possibilities. An example of a main inspiration Representative United Nations’ sessions are broadcasted on came from an extraordinary team from at UN the UN general website for all to watch. Our DeMontfort University in Leicester, England Youth Representatives’ approach to deep where the Vice-Chancellor, staff members, and understanding of the importance of enhanced students presented their work on the creation communication between the NGOs globally and execution of #JoinTogether, with more were well received, complimented and most of intentions to challenge other academics/ the suggestions were included. We presently institutions to become part of the #JoinTogether have an opening for one youth representative. Network.
Every NGO has the right to be presented by Lastly, during this conference, my students and I one Main Representative, two Alternate are presenting “Hear me Roar: Raising and Representatives, and two Youth Representing Feminist Voices” that includes a Representatives. slide show that was presented at the UN last month. ACTIVITIES: Our team is now richer with the addition of Dr. 2) Our Youth Representative Ping Lam travelled Mala Matacin who agreed to serve as an last summer to Nanjing, China to participate in a learning exchange experience with the local Association for Women in Psychology Page 7 U NITED N ATIONS : R EPORT (CON’ T ) educators. Here’s what she reported: Nanjing, one of the nation's important historical cities for over a thousand years, is recognized as one of the four great ancient capitals of China. It was the capital of six differ- ent dynasties during ancient times. To learn more about Nanjing, the UN representatives from China organized a trip, and invited people from around the world to learn more about Nanjing. The trip was remarkable; not only we were able to learn about and enjoy many local dishes, explore interesting landmarks, and engage in the culture of the city, but also provided conditions for all of us to engage in fruitful activities where I informed others about our organization, and networked with other sister organizations.
3) In every October of every year, we are requested as an organization to refill an application for accreditation renewal form that consists of near a hundred entry. It has been in- creasingly complicated over the years and compliance has been difficult. Fortunately, we are happy to report that appli- cation for renewal was approved for this year and our team Maram Hallak & NgaPing Lam is in the process of receiving their yearly passes. AWP UN Representatives
Reported by AWP Representatives: Maram Hallak, Mala Matacin and NgaPing Lam
LATEST IN S EX ROLES BY JAN YODER Check out Sex Roles lately?
If you missed Laura Brown’s inspiring talk at the exciting AWP conference in Newport, you can read it in Sex Roles. It is available online (https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-019-01044-w) and is in print in the June 2019 issue. To stay up-to-date on everything coming out in Sex Roles, check out the Online First Articles posted on our website to access published papers ahead of print. You also can receive the Table of Contents for each new issue when it is available electronically. Just sign up (it’s free) for “Alerts for this journal” on Sex Roles’ home page: https://www.springer.com/psychology/journal/11199. Page 8 Spring Issue, 2019 AWP 2019: W E W ERE G OLD & B OLD ; N OW T HERE ’ S M ORE TO B E T OLD ! B Y K AT Q UINA & M ARY Z AHM, C ONFERENCE C O -C OORDINATORS
A huge thank you to all who were were psyched about I am Psyched and the the ways in which they have able to celebrate our 50th special session on its classroom use by Alex infused their work and their anniversary AWP conference in Rutherford and Shari Miles Cohen. Cathy Faye mentoring relationships with Newport, RI, February 28-March of the Psychology archives in Akron sounded a feminist activism. Each also left 3, 2019, and to those who were call for more thoughtful archiving of our us with issues that demand our with us in spirit. The experience treasured records, past and current. attention (see insets). Be sure to provided a wonderful opportunity follow their work; they each have to celebrate our journeys, AWP’s Photoactivism: Mala Matacin and her team Much More to Be Told! The herstories, our interconnections, were kept busy photographing as we had our award presentations were and AWP’s impacts on the world. say about Our Feminist Journeys, posing in amazing, and the almost 300 Our RIAWP planning collective, front of their wonderful backdrop. Photos are other presentations, posters and which has reconstituted itself in on the AWP Facebook page! discussions provided 2.5 powerful ever-changing (and yet, so con- days of Vitamin Feminism! stant!) forms each decade since 1988 to do our “party on the 9s,” Socializing: We also had time is grateful for the excuse to to reflect and recharge. Kayla spend quality (and quantity!) time Weiner and Suzanne Borstein with each other. We had a blast, conducted an open Shabbat on and you were all wonderful Friday evening, welcoming the guests. The hotel staff agreed – Jewish Sabbath and you all got much praise from staff remembering those who have and managers! been victims of anti-Semitism and other forms of hate. A beautiful Just over 400 attendees sunset over Narragansett bay managed to navigate the trek to honored us in return. Newport in between the three snowstorms that hit the area The Sisterhood is Powerful between Wednesday and Kat Quina & Mary Zahm reception, cosponsored by the Society for the Psychology of Monday, and we’re pleased that Conference Co-Coordinators we broke even on the budget, Women, celebrated our many and maybe even earned a few interconnections. SPW President hundred dollars for AWP and for Program: Laura Brown delivered a Yuying Tsong, Past President our local student scholarship powerful keynote reminding us of the impact Peggy Signorella, and other SPW fund. We won’t try to summarize of AWP through the entwinement of her own leaders were recognized, the whole experience, but we’ll feminist journey with AWP. Her challenge to including delightful reminiscences share a few of the highlights. the audience to tackle the colonization of by Florence Denmark and Bonnie therapy was a tough but inspiring reminder Strickland, the fifth and seventh women presidents of APA. Shari Exhibits: The interactive of how much there is yet to be done. Find her inspiring words, already published (open Miles Cohen noted those who herstory exhibits, which will end have been leaders in the up in the Psychology archives in access) in Sex Roles, at https:// link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11199 Committee on Women in Akron, honored our vision and Psychology, and Laura Brown mission well. Leonore Tiefer and -019-01044-w. encouraged younger members to her team created posters of reinvigorate the Feminist Therapy timelines and AWP leaders Laura gave us another challenge: Invest in the future of AWP! The Laura Brown Match Institute. We were joined by across 50 years; we constantly representatives from the streamed the wonderful video Challenge was a huge success, raising over $12,000 for future AWP members who, like Psychology of Women Section of giving voice to the meaning of the British Psychological AWP to members (https:// her, found their first and most meaningful home in AWP’s supportive, accepting Association, the Sexuality and awp50herstory.wordpress.com); Gender Division of the Valerie Ryan’s interactive exhib- sisterhood. The match fund is still seeking donations; see inset! Psychological Society of South its invited attendees to “locate” Africa, and the Society for themselves in AWP’s herstory Plenary panelists Jennifer Freyd, Shari Women and Psychology of the and in the network of our sister Canadian Psychological organizations; and lots of people Miles-Cohen, and Jasmine Mena described Association for Women in Psychology Page 9
AWP 2019 C ONFERENCE (CON’ T)
Association. We then consumed much more Vitamin Fun with an evening of feminist karaoke.
Saturday evening’s Birthday Bash began with a toast to our beloved Sue Morrow from Liz Abrams and Karen Tao, who related that Sue’s friends sang Katy Perry’s Firework at her memorial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw). As we raised our glasses, the setting sun sent a burst of rays dancing across the bay and filling our room – nature’s own firework! Thank you, Sue! We honored almost 50 members present who were involved in AWP’s first 25 years, and delivered on our promise of cake. We rocked the night away to the marvelous Kim Trusty and her band; she says we were the dancing-est group she’s ever seen! a year? 50 cents a year? Something that says Thanks, What’s Next? Lots of other stuff happened, so much AWP!” Information and donation link are at and so quickly it remains a bit of a blur to those of us www.AWPsych.org. running around behind (or in front of) the scenes. What is not blurry, however, is the afterglow of the energy, love, Jennifer Freyd warned that US colleges are and joy of the women and men who gathered at the tip of adopting harmful policies that mandate reporting of a little island in the littlest state for a very big dose of sexual assaults disclosed by students, regardless of Vitamins F1 and F2, Feminism and Fun. We hope you age. Some classes now include a warning not to share have memories to cherish (and share on #AWP2019) and assault experiences with their instructor unless they make plans to meet up in Austin in 2020! want it to be reported. She offers data-informed arguments and suggestions for responding at her web- Visit our website, www.riawp.com, for the latest program, site pictures, and more! Share your pictures or thoughts on https://dynamic.uoregon.edu/jjf/disclosure/requiredrep AWP’s Facebook page! orting.html; follow her at @jjforegon!
The APA Office of Women’s Programs, led by Shari Contribute to Laura Brown’s Match Fund! Laura says: Miles-Cohen, is taking a step further the advice by the “AWP shaped my career; nothing I have become would late great Representative Shirley Chisholm: if they have happened without feminist psychology, the don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair! leadership, mentoring, and support I received from the With the APA Leadership Institute for Women in time I was a baby grad student. So it seemed to make Psychology and the I am Psyched! Initiative, girls and sense to give back -- 100 for each of AWP's 50 years! If women leaders have already taken permanent seats AWP and feminist psychology has shaped your life in at the table, and they are telling their own stories. Join some important way, consider following my lead (a dollar them! Learn more at https://www.apa.org/pi/women/programs/leadership.
Although the movement of multiculturalism from the margin to the center of psychology is laudable, Jasmine Mena reminds us that this success poses a new risk to the fight against oppression: the feeling of accomplishment. In our research, we must take caution to ask ourselves such questions as: What level of oppression does my work address? What is its potential contribution toward collective liberation? Do those who stand to “benefit” from this research have a say? Check out her newly released Integrating Multiculturalism and Intersectionality Into the Psychology Curriculum: Strategies for Instructors at https://www.apa.org/pubs/books/4311037. Page 10 SpringVolume Issue, 1, Issue 2019 1
RHODE I SLAND CONFERENCE PHOTOS
Association for Women in Psychology Page 11
RHODE I SLAND CONFERENCE PHOTOS
Page 12 Spring Issue, 2019
RHODE I SLAND CONFERENCE PHOTOS
Association for Women in Psychology Page 13
AWP’ S NEW ACTIVISM CAUCUS BY JOAN CHRISLER & P AULA CAPLAN At the AWP conference in Newport, Paula Since the conference, the caucus mem- Caplan and Joan Chrisler facilitated a bers have corresponded with each other structured discussion on AWP’s activist to: share information about activism oppor- herstory and the types of actions that AWP tunities (e.g., a website designed to facili- has sponsored and encouraged over the tate and organize protest against the 50 years since its founding. Some of these Trump administration’s family separations actions were organized by conference at the US-Mexico border; an APA interdivi- committees or regional chapters; others sional project related to immigrants’ narra- were public stances taken by the AWP tives), to write and approve a letter to the Spokesperson (who often worked with a IMPs regarding AWP’s decreased activism “ We decided committee of volunteers), and others were (see this issue of the newsletter), and to projects (or policies) sponsored or devised begin to plan sessions on activism for next that perhaps the by the Implementation Collective. Partici- year’s AWP conference in Austin. pants in the discussion agreed that AWP best way to work has not been as obviously activist in recent to achieve our years and expressed a desire to return to Reminder: AWP is a 501©3 organization. our activist roots. We cannot engage in partisan politics desire was to (e.g., endorse candidates for public office). However, we can work on issues, espe- form a caucus” We decided that perhaps the best way to cially those related to our expertise in psy- work to achieve our desire was to form a chology and women’s/gender issues. For
caucus. Like other AWP caucuses, we see example, we can lobby, give expert testi- our role as raising the organization’s con- mony, and take stands. As individuals, of sciousness, sponsoring conference ses- course, we can be as partisan as we'd like, Joan Chrisler sions, encouraging scholarly work, under- but not in AWP’s or the Caucus’ name. taking activist projects, and otherwise seek- & ing to make both social and organizational Paula Kaplan change in service of social justice. The for- New members are welcome. If you would mation of the Activism Caucus was an- like to join our caucus, please contact Joan nounced at the Feminist Forum on the last at [email protected] or Paula at pau- day of the conference, and it was well re- [email protected]. ceived by those in attendance. Joan and Paula agreed to serve as the caucus’ first co-coordinators.
G IVING B ACK TO AWP
Are you interested in joining Would you like to host our annual Conference our Implementation Collective? in the future? Contact our Staffer/Regional Coordinator Contact our Conferences Liaison Elizabeth Bennett Clare Mehta at [email protected] at [email protected]
Do you want to contribute your writing Would you like t o make a donation? to AWP Newsletters? Contact our Treasurer Nikolai Houston Contact our Newsletter Editor Yuki Okubo at at [email protected] [email protected] Association for Women in Psychology
Page 14 Spring Issue, 2019
H OT T OPICS AT PWQ B Y L EAH S OBEL
Despite how the Internet has facilitated In constructing these lists, we were 10) coping with racism. We will our access to information, the informed by the work feminist continue to add to this list of hot magnitude of research on a particular psychologists are doing in the world— topics. topic can be challenging to navigate. whether on the ground, on the comput- How many times have you typed key er, in the classroom, in the public In creating these lists of Hot search words into Google Scholar or realm, or in the clinical setting. Topics, we hope to facilitate and PsycInfo, only to be overwhelmed with Digging through dozens of issues of promote the knowledge-sharing the sheer amount of options? Of PWQ from the past two decades, we process among PWQ readers. We course, having too much research is a noticed similarities and trends among foresee that the lists will be used very good problem to have, especially the published articles. For example, by students writing papers, in comparison to the alternative. We Barbara Fredrickson and Tomi-Ann professors creating teaching acknowledge the incredible breadth Roberts’ (1997) groundbreaking materials (and see PWQ’s Power- and depth of feminist psychological framework of objectification theory Point teaching slides and twenty- work, while also recognizing how sparked a generation of scholarly minute podcasts), clinicians diverse and complex the field has writing in PWQ and other women’s seeking knowledge for practice, become. In order to simplify the studies journals. Elizabeth Cole’s and researchers looking for a literature search process and make (2009) formulation of the Intersectional deeper and current understanding Psychology of Women Quarterly approach to psychology (See Else- of concepts and theories; that is, in (PWQ) articles more accessible, the Quest and Hyde) prompted extensive addition to many other possible PWQ editorial team has curated a critical research on past, present, and uses that advance feminist collection of articles on relevant future methodologies for scholarship scholarship and activism. In a field feminist topics. We call it Hot Topics. on psychology of women, gender, and that is regularly changing and culture. Innovative and evidence- expanding, PWQ will continue to We started this effort after receiving based programs have been developed, follow the lead of our invaluable several requests via Twitter and email and continue to be developed, based feminist authors and create for articles on specific topics, often in on decades of research recording accessible research that is both response to current events like the gender bias in STEM fields. Progress historically relevant and socially #MeToo movement, which ignited a has generated more progress, and the influential. conversation about sexual assault and evidence of development of usable harassment in the workplace and knowledge can be found throughout Cole, E. (2009). Intersectionality beyond. Feminists at the forefront of the pages of PWQ. and research in psycholo- the movement shared their stories of gy. American Psychologist, the social, economic, and After examining PWQ volumes from 64, 170–180. psychological consequences of sexual the past few years, we identified 10 doi:10.1037/a0014564 abuse, taking an unprecedented broad topics of current interest to both opportunity to shed light on an issue scholars and the public: 1) politics, Fredrickson, B. L., & Roberts, T. that had remained in the dark for far racism, and sexism; 2) sexual (1997). Objectification the- too long. As the movement grew, so violence and assault; 3) relationships, ory: Toward understanding did the public’s interest in theories motherhood, and family; 4) sexism and women's lived experiences about sexual violence and preventative body objectification; 5) sexism in and mental health risks. interventions shown to diminish its education, STEM, and the workplace; Psychology of Women occurrence. Equipped with a list of 6) new and diverse methodological Quarterly, 21, 173-206. pertinent scientific and peer-reviewed paradigms; 7) intersectionality; doi:10.1111/j.1471- articles, PWQ joined the conversation 8) transnational issues; 9) preventative 6402.1997.tb00108.x by filling in knowledge gaps with interventions against racism and sex- findings from years of rigorous re- ism; and search. Spring Issue, 2018
Association for Women in Psychology Page 15
“WE THE PEOPLES ”: M Y FIRST UN CONFERENCE BY MALA M ATACIN
On July 26, 2018 I went to the United academics and advocates, and SDGs to educate and address Nations Headquarters in New York took a tour of the building. I learned inequalities. DeMontfort University’s City to get my badge as an Alternative new phrases and words— strategic plan is built around the 17 Representative for AWP. I am very multilateralism and SDGs (which SDGs and one of their intentions was grateful for this opportunity and my stands for Sustainable Develop- to challenge other academics/ deepest gratitude goes to Dr. Maram ment Goals). SDGs is now part of institutions to become part of the Hallak for allowing me to join her in my vocabulary and has shifted my #JoinTogether Network. They began larger efforts at the UN. thinking to be more global the initiative in January 2018 and by especially in terms of equity/ the time I met them, 57 institutions had I returned to the UN in August to equality. It surprised me how many joined; #JoinTogether now has over th attend the 67 UN/DPI conference academics were there. I attended a 100 academic institutions as part of the entitled “We the Peoples: Together session on “The Central Inclusion network. I am one of them. Finding Global Solutions for Global of Women and Girls: National DeMontfort encourages all Problems” (held August 22-23, 2018). Action Plans, Localization Efforts #JoinTogether partners to become part This annual conference attracts and Effective Mobilization” where I of the UN Academic Impact--UNAI (a approximately 2,000 representatives met Dr. Jan Marie Fritz, a clinical part of the UN I knew nothing about globally from over 300 NGOs who sociologist from the University of until I attended the conference). represent more than 100 countries. Cincinnati. She urged me to Joining the UNAI must be made by a I did not know what to expect and as it become a member of the University’s President, Chancellor, or was my first conference so I allowed International Sociological Dean. I have reached out to the myself to be immersed in the experi- Association and encouraged me to administrators at the University of ence which, at times, was remain an activist—such activities Hartford (where I am a faculty member) overwhelming. My first step into the are crucial to academics dedicated in hopes that we can become a immense conference room #4 was to social justice. I also met an member. To date, this has not hap- both awe-inspiring and emotional. It extraordinary team from DeMontfort pened. was a feeling that I will never forget. University in Leicester, England (Vice-Chancellor, staff, and I teach a first year seminar (FYS) in the I attended as many sessions as students) who presented their work College of Arts and Sciences at the possible, visited the exhibits, partici- on the creation and execution of University of Hartford called “Beauty, pated in in conversations with other #JoinTogether, a network of Body Image, and Feminism”. Every academics/institutions using the Page 16 Spring Issue, 2019
M Y FIRST UN C ONFERENCE (CON’T)
FYS must have a collaborative year students and five classes are (“Hear me Roar: Raising and Repre- project that students work on given awards. I am happy to senting Feminist Voices”). throughout the semester and report that my class won the present at the FYS Symposium at “audience favorite” (chosen by the In addition, Dr. Hallak and I have sub- the end of December. Inspired by students in other seminars) for mitted an abstract to the European DeMontfort University and as a their project. #JoinTogether Health Psychology Society’s (EHPS) member of the #JoinTogether network members were invited to conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia network, I created a collaborative the United Nations this past Janu- (September 3-7, 2019). EHPS has a project for my class which ary 7, 2019 to share their work. formal relationship with the United Na- addressed the SDGs, primarily Without institutional or organiza- tions and all submissions were required SDG#5 (Gender Equality). In tional support, it is difficult to take to indicate the SDG that their work ad- “thinking globally and acting students to such venues. But, I dressed. It is our hope that the mission locally” my students created created and shared the slide and name of AWP as a UN NGO will be #JoinTogetherUHart where they below which was shown at the more known internationally as we con- addressed campus sexual assault/ UN. At this past year’s AWP con- tinue the work of addressing inequali- violence and the availability of ference in Newport, Rhode Island, ties. menstrual products in public my students and I presenting restrooms. There are 20 different some of this work in a symposium first year seminars offered to first
R EQUEST FOR AWP B Y A CTIVISM C AUCUS
AWP foremother Toni Appel to raise There are a number of critical Dear IMPs, money for a response to the steps the IMPs could take or accusation that Professor Christine cause to be taken. These include The Activism Caucus, which we Blasey Ford has a therapy-induced created at the 2019 AWP conference the recreation of the position of false memory about Justice Spokesperson, which Sharon in Newport, RI, is sending you this Kavanaugh. request for AWP to take significant Siegel informed us no longer ex- ists. That role makes possible steps to return to its history-making, We add here as Appendix A a partial ground-breaking activist roots. The rapid response to events, and in list with some description of some of conjunction with the new Activism “AWP and Activism: Its Birth, the activist steps taken by AWP over History, and Future in Political Caucus, would provide a good its lifetime. This list is intended to basis for more actions to be tak- Action” structured discussion in provide you with a sense of the range Newport facilitated by former Co-Co en. The IMPs might want to con- of activities AWP has taken up in the sider the reasons that AWP’s ac- and Spokesperson Joan C. Chrisler past. Some actions were large-scale and former Spokesperson Paula J. tivism declined over the years, in and continued over a period of time; order to facilitate the addressing Caplan was well attended by a dozen others were as small as a letter to the people who expressed enthusiasm – of those factors in a productive editor or to an elected or corporate way. You might also look to even longing – for AWP to become official. seriously engaged in activism as it SPSSI as a model of how to com- bine activism with other profes- was at its birth and in its earlier We strongly believe that, given the years. At its birth, this included the sional activities. present state of the world, it is all the storming of the American more important for AWP to resume its Psychological Association’s Council We look forward to hearing from leadership role in making the world a you. meeting and the demands AWP’s better place. Our history of activism is foremothers presented to the APA also a major difference between AWP In sisterhood, President, which led to creation of and Division 35, which tends to focus the Committee on Women in on professional issues and Members of the Activism Caucus Psychology and later Division 35 of professional development. Publicity APA as well as to AWP itself. about AWP activism could serve as a *Appendix A on Pages 18-19 Perhaps the most recent example of recruitment tool to attract new activism was a campaign started by members. Association for Women in Psychology Page 17
L EVITT ’ S O RIGINAL W ORK B EING P UBLISHED IN PWQ FOR LGBT P RIDE M ONTH
June is LGBT Pride month. Psychology of Women Quarterly is publishing an original, empirically based, functional theory of gender, A Psychosocial Genealogy of LGBTQ+ Gender: An Empirically Based Theory of Gender and Gender Identity Cultures by Heidi M. Levitt.
Dr. Heidi Levitt summarizes findings from an extensive body of mixed methods research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other (LGBTQ+) genders in the United States. She uses a feminist- intersectional lens to empirically base and historically situate a theory of gender that is grounded in re- search of LGBTQ+ communities (butch, femme, bear, leathermen, transgender, drag queens, and fami- ly/house systems). She defines genders as either sets of personal qualities within a culture associated with physiological sex, or sets of qualities that evolve in reaction to limitations of existing genders. The evolu- tion of genders functions to meet needs in four domains: (1) psychological: an experience of fit between a core aspect of self and a gender construct; (2) cultural: the creation of an LGBTQ+ culture that asserts sets of gender characteristics, which were denied and stigmatized within preexisting cultural norms; (3) inter- personal: the communicating of affiliation and status to enhance safety; and (4) sexual: an erotic embodi- ment of signifiers of these needs via an aesthetic that structures sexual attraction. Levitt details how each function affects identity, security, belonging, and personal and social values.
Elliot Tebbe introduces the article and there are critical and insightful responses to the theory by Bonnie Moradi, who examines the implications for research and Laura Watson, who discusses the implications for practice. Dr. Levitt comments on the responses and further clarifies her functional theory of gender and its relation to critical and feminist theory. All articles are available on PWQ’s OnLineFirst site and will ap- pear in the Sept. issue of PWQ. Page 18 R EQUEST FROM A CTIVISM C AUCUS (CON’T )
Appendix A: Partial List of AWP Actions
Even a list of brief descriptions of past AWP activism runs on for many pages, but the following examples provide some sense of their range and variety:
Petition begun at AWP conference in the mid-1980s protesting the proposed DSM categories of Maso- chistic/Self-defeating Personality Disorder, and Paraphilic Rapism led ultimately to the submission to the DSM-III-R Task Force head of individual signatures and letters from organizations representing a total of 6 million people in the United States and globally. A consequence, after the Task Force withdrew Para- philic Rapism, was the creation of a special appendix for the other two categories that allegedly prevent- ed them from being formally used. The “Coalition Against Ms-Diagnosis” (of which AWP was a promi- nent member) picketed American Psychiatric Association convention.
AWP sponsored the publication of the one-of-a-kind book Bias in Psychiatric Diagnosis, and nearly all of its royalties have gone to support AWP.
For some years, the holding of a Feminist Forum at the annual conferences, where needed political ac- tions could be proposed and discussed. The flavor of the forum today is far different than it used to be, as most comments seem to be focused on attitudes toward the conference rather than on the state of the world.
As Iraq War began, creation and dissemination to major media of a White Paper on the subject, “Psychologists Can Only Heal So Much: Emotional Casualties of War.” A key message was that all citi- zens need to stop pathologizing people who experience terror and other disturbing feelings as a result of their experiences in these wars or war zones and that pathologizing them and sending them to therapists to listen to their stories is a way that society keeps itself from having to face the emotional consequences of war and thus makes it more likely that we will go to war again. This led to numerous media inter- views, and the press release about it was the lead story in Counterpunch. (That led to a Washington Post Outlook piece that was reprinted in a magazine for military families and a publication for reserve offic- ers, and it later grew into the book, When Johnny and Jane Come Marching Home: How All of Us Can Help Veterans, which won three top national nonfiction awards, and was the basis for a film, “Is Any- body Listening?”, which won many awards.)
AWP sent Dr. Susan Woods, head of the FDA’s Women’s Program, a policy statement protesting the FDA Commissioner’s refusal to approve over-the-counter sales of the morning-after pill called Plan B. The same statement was sent widely to media and to Congresswoman Slaughter and Senators Kennedy and Kerry.
Some conference committees have organized actions during the conference, such as a march against sex- ual assault and the donation of toiletries from conference hotel rooms to a local battered women’s shelter.
For many years, the IMPs had a policy of not meeting in non-unionized hotels. (Is that policy still in place?)
Many activism sessions have been presented at conferences (e.g., teaching activist tactics).
AWP issued a call for Congressional Hearings about Psychiatric Diagnosis and collected individual and organizational endorsements for it, with stories of harm from diagnosis. Endorsers are listed at https:// Page 19 R EQUEST FROM A CTIVISM C AUCUS (CON’T )
psychdiagnosis.weebly.com/endorsers.html, and a petition where additional endorsers can sign on is at change.org (“Endorse the Call for Congressional Hearings about Psychiatric Diagnosis”)
The AWP Committee on Bias in Psychiatric Diagnosis created a section for the AWP website with es- says by various writers targeting topics related to the then-in-preparation DSM-5 and issued a press re- lease about it. http://awpsych.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102&Itemid=126
AWP cosponsored (with the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research and the National Women’s Health Network) a 2002 Congressional briefing with Sarafem for “PMDD” as the specific example. The AWP Spokesperson talked about “Psychiatric Diagnosis: Little Science and No Regulation” and made con- crete recommendations for action.
For many years the AWP Spokesperson responded to requests from media people for feminist perspec- tives on issues in the news. For example, on April 23, 2004, Paula as Spokesperson did a 45-min inter- view with Raoul Mowat of Chicago Tribune re: the feminization of psychology.
Based on a press release the Spokesperson wrote, a small item appeared in the Metro newspaper, Boston edition (larger circulation than Boston Globe, they say), for Women’s Equality Day, saying that in the past 3 years 1 million women have lost their jobs and that “women still earn far less than men and are hit hard by the scarcity of affordable health insurance and childcare.” The published article said that this information came from the Association for Women in Psychology.
The spokesperson wrote a Letter to the Editor that was printed in the Boston Globe that said: Now that, in Teresa Heinz Kerry, we have another Presidential candidate's wife who is both straight-talking and warmly expressive, we again see the near-impossibility of being regarded as a good woman without be- ing quiet and compliant. Strong women are damned no matter what they do. Globe columnist Cathy Young (The Right to Be Opinionated, August 2) minimizes the phenomenal, committed philanthropy of Heinz Kerry by pointing out that "her philanthropy is funded by the fortune of her first husband." And if she kept all that money for herself, would we be encouraged to admire her then? Exactly what is the good, "womanly, feminine" thing to do with her money? In this campaign, we need to watch for pundits to put women in these impossible positions.
The spokesperson sent a letter to the Hyatt Hotel chain protesting their policy on “acceptable” hairstyles for female employees (no dreads or braids for Black women).
The spokesperson sent a letter to the National Cancer Institute protesting the cancellation of the wom- en’s health trial on breast cancer prevention.
The spokesperson sent a letter to Rep. John Conyers asking him to urge his colleagues to include vio- lence against women in the hate crimes legislation that was under consideration.
The spokesperson sent a letter to Psychology Today objecting because a book review in a recent issue put “date rape” in quotation marks, which suggested that date rape is not a real or serious problem.
The spokesperson sent a letter to the A&P supermarket chain urging them to stop selling California grapes whose pesticides pose danger to farm workers. We also asked them to meet with Cesar Chavez as soon as possible about this.
The spokesperson sent a letter to the Malaysian Tourist Center to say that we will ask people not to visit Malaysia until the four women imprisoned for having attended seminars in the Philippines are released. Page 20 Spring Issue, 2019
AWP A USTIN 2020: P LANNING U NDERWAY FOR M ARCH 5-8, 2020 B Y S HARON L AMB & D EBRA M OLLEN The AWP AUSTIN 2020 Planning th Conference Center which is just South of Committee met on May 20 , officially the UT Austin campus and just North of the beginning our year-long feminist capitol. It’s a quick walk to the nightlife on collaboration to bring AWP an exciting 6th St and a fast uber/lyft drive to the SOCO conference in an amazing town. The theme, district or a walk around Ladybird Lake. The Sexual Agency/Sexual Rights, was chosen AT&T Conference Center is connected to a not only because of our long time interests, hotel and goddess willing, the weather will but because now more than ever, when permit us to hold some events outdoors in reproductive rights are being challenged, the courtyard between the hotel and and especially in an election year, when conference center and the terraces attention to feminist objectives may hold overlooking the courtyard. more sway, sexual agency and sexual rights seem inextricably linked. “ We have only just started planning but here now more than are some ideas we will be looking into Our planning committee consists of 10-12 ever, when along with the usual conference activities. AWP members representing the diversity of Could we organize a fund-raising art show our association. We will continually welcome reproductive featuring art by local artists as well as AWP new people with ideas onto the planning members? We are thinking about committee up until the last moment. As rights are being organizing restaurant trips that members almost none of us live in Austin, we will be challenged, … sign up for in advance. Is it possible to go planning from afar and welcome input from as a group to Esther’s Follies or the Broken all of you with connections to UT Austin and sexual agency Spoke for some sketch comedy or some other feminist, LGBT, reproductive rights, Austin two-step lessons? Can we do some etc. organizations there. AWP members who and sexual activism while there in collaboration with did their internship in Austin are at this very any non-profit group in Austin? moment hunting down the best DJ or band rights seem or Karaoke host for our evening activities. inextricably We hope to make this conference one of the most inclusive ever and already have The conference will take place in the AT&T linked.” members who are volunteering to coordinate accessibility and potentially a Sharon Lamb workshop or program on feminism and disability. We have another & Debra Mollen
Debra Mollen Sharon Lamb 2020 Conference Co-Coordinator 2020 Conference Co-Coordinator NewsletterAssociation Title for Women in Psychology Page 21
AWP A USTIN 2020 (C ON’ T)
member whose expertise is in sues. A rape survivor and survivor of and present her work exploring feminist treatment of transgender youth sterilization abuse, her story and her history, sexual agency, and and adults in Austin who has work continues to inspire many. Born neoliberalism. Alex is a professor of volunteered to review language in Texas, she returns to speak to AWP psychology at York University in and signage for inclusivity, having members on March6th. Her talk is Toronto. She studies the relationships listened to the folks at the AWP entitled “How #MeToo Intersects between feminist psychology and Rhode Island meeting who asked Reproductive Justice." society to understand how feminist for more sensitivity as well as science contributes to positive social inclusive language. Our Saturday morning plenary focuses change. In her recent publications she on Sexual Agency and zeroes in on has examined the roles of Finally we’re thrilled to announce the uses and abuses of that phrase in neoliberalism and postfeminism in our keynote speaker, Loretta neoliberal times. Laina Bay-Cheng, shaping gendered discourses of agency Ross, a long-time activist, human Professor and Associate Dean for and empowerment. And also long-time rights leader, and author on Faculty Development at the University AWP member Deborah Tolman, will reproductive justice who puts the at Buffalo School of Social Work. Since present on her newest thinking and lived experience of women of the beginning of her career, she has upcoming book on sex, sexual agency, color front and center in her concentrated her research on the and embodiment. Deb is currently at work. She was a co-founder and imprint of social forces and material Hunter College in NY where she national coordinator of Sister- conditions on young women’s sexual researches adolescent sexuality around Song, a Women of Color lives. She combines empirical and the “unmentionables” of pleasure and Reproductive Justice Collective, conceptual analyses to shift attention danger. and has also served as away from individual-focused models Co-Director of the March for of sexual risk and toward the systemic The call for papers will come out in Women’s Lives in 2004. She is roots of girls’ and women’s sexual September. We still welcome any and Founder and Executive Director vulnerability: interlocked gender, class, all volunteers to help in our planning! of the National Center for Human race, and age-based inequalities and Contact us at our new email address: Rights Education, and has led the ideologies that perpetuate [email protected]. many women of color delegations them. Long-time AWP member Sharon Lamb and Debra Mollen to international conferences on Alexandra Rutherford will join Laina women’s and human rights is-
EDITOR ’S REFLECTION BY YUKI O KUBO
Nourishing Soul: A Daily Practice importance of self-care has hit me nourish my soul. pretty hard in the last few years as I I must admit, I was never good at have dealt with some significant Yoga: When I go to a class, it has calibrating a balance between medical issues, physical pain, and become a particular routine of getting work and life, whether it be as a work-life transitions and milestones. ready early, arriving to the class 30 student or as an academic. IN facing these changes and minutes early, taking the extra time to While I was consistently given challenges, there are a few life get into the mindset, actual class, and messages from people about lessons I learned along the way. One showering. It is a good 2. 5 hour becoming better about prioritizing of the hardest things I continue to commitment and yet when I do it, there certain activities, deadlines, struggle with is the fact that self-care is no regret. I appreciate the ritualistic figuring out in a “smart” way is a daily practice. I so wish I could element of the routine as well as the where and how much to use time just take a long weekend and that will differences in experience brought on and energy, it does not come just get me through the week! I wish by my physical, mental, and emotional naturally for me. Thus, over the that I did not carry stress in my body condition. years, I have been taking active but I do, and just because I was good steps to become better about at moving my body and resting one Meditation: While I haven’t been good how I spend my time and energy, day doesn’t translate necessarily into about meditating daily, when I do, I and for once, actually have time a good week ahead. Thus, while I experience the benefit of it throughout to play instead of working all the have not achieved the best practice, I that day and beyond. My students in time! can identify a few activities I have Helping Skills course this past come to appreciate that help me not semester also appreciated the benefit This realization of needing to only recover from daily grind but also of meditation when I used it as a part have a work-life balance and (continue to page 23) Page 22 Spring Issue, 2019
O UR FEMINIST JOURNEY AND THE AGE OF SOCIAL M EDIA BY M ARISSA L AWRENCE
This year the Association for Women in The change in the sophistication of how Psychology (AWP) annual conference information is presented on social “ The project set out to commemorate the 50th media, has also impacted our ability to fully entitled, ‘Our anniversary of organization’s formation. evaluate what we’re viewing. For example, To celebrate 50 years of feminist social media users often present Feminist Journeys,’ scholarship and community, many felt it information that depict their lives as a was important to highlight the history of ‘finished product’ and this picture is almost welcomed all AWP and how its’ history continues to always a positive one. We are rarely AWP members inform our work in the present. In reminded of the complexity of someone’s addition, this year’s conference theme transformation and growth, because we are and conference entitled, “Gold, Bold, more stories not previewed to the process of their Untold,’ aimed to raise up the stories journey. In addition to this, we then forget to attendees to be and voices of those that have remained focus our attention inwardly, and appreciate photographed with hidden. the process of our own journeys. ‘Our Feminist Journey’s’ was able to provide the a short quote that Long time AWP member and contributor participants with the opportunity to look Dr. Mala Matacin and a team of her inward and then share a snap shot of their explained how students embarked on a project that process outwardly to challenge this their feminist would both encompass the conference phenomenon. theme and pay tribute to the incredible journey began.” history of AWP. The project entitled, When information presented on social “Our Feminist Journeys,” welcomed all media depicts a ‘finished product’ and the AWP members and conference collective of these messages become attendees to be photographed with a homogenous; the underlying implication is short quote that explained how their that there is a sought-after standard that is feminist journey began. Once all acceptable in the world. This is why it was participating members were important to capture the diversity of the photographed, my task was to document participants and their experiences. For their journeys by posting the pictures example, experiences such as supportive through the organization’s various social mentorship, political changes, media outlets. The project allowed intergenerational influences between participants to both explore their women, and many other personal individual feminist journey, and to serve experiences were shared by the as activists once their journeys were participants of the project. shared on social media. Dr. Matacin and I felt it was important to utilize social Specifically, in the feminist community, this media platforms as a way to document can feel exclusive to others and portray an and share the participant’s stories unrealistic standard of what the community beyond the confines of the conference. consists of. This phenomenon can result in Social media is changing how people the perpetuation of hierarchies already are identifying within the feminist present in the feminist community, that community; due to the fact that the continue to uplift voices with power and connection to feminism has changed disregard those voices that are not shared. what it means to be a feminist. More Thus, it was important that the project did specifically, the connection has changed not place a hierarchy on the quality of due to how personal and accessible anyone’s journey, and that every photo information has become through the submission was posted online. internet. Therefore, as we continue to contribute to the online feminist It is our hope that we can continue to community, the information people immerse ourselves in opportunities to share encounter then becomes a major part of these untold stories, because it is these their own individual journeys. stories and voices that continue to help Marissa Lawrence AWP grow and work towards the future. NewsletterAssociation Title for Women in Psychology Page 23
F ROM ACTIVISM CAUCUS BY PAULA CAPLAN
Press Release: May 15, 2019 ment has more control over their bod- (3) Accompanying these reactionary Activism Caucus ies than they do. This is important for attempts to challenge reproductive many reasons, one of which is that a rights are moralistic fervor and the sense of control has been shown re- blaming and shaming of girls and Psychological Damage Inflicted peatedly in psychological research to women who choose to use birth con- on Girls and Women from be important to mental health and trol measures or who choose to have Restrictions on Reproductive well-being. Rape and incest are ex- abortions. This causes fear, self- Rights amples of extreme loss of control, doubt, low self-confidence, feelings and at least In some cases, making of being unsafe, and beliefs that oth- As the news in the United States the decision to have an abortion after ers consider them incompetent to these days about restrictions on rape and incest are important parts of make major decisions about their women’s reproductive freedom healing, but the new Alabama law lives and undeserving of reproductive echoes Margaret Atwood’s (1985) prohibits that; rights. novel, TheHandmaid’s Tale, the Activism Caucus of the Association (2) Women, who already have fewer (4) When reproductive rights are re- for Women in Psychology considers legal rights than men under the U.S. stricted, higher-income women find it it essential to point out the alarming Constitution, are experiencing shock easier than lower-income women to psychological consequences of and fear as they see government en- purchase or travel to seek the health laws that limit girls’ and women’s tities with all their power take away care they want and need, and the rights to make decisions about their some of the most important rights physical and mental health of the bodies and their futures. they do have. In the decades since latter will suffer. the Roe v. Wade decision in 1972, This is especially the case for the most women have been able to make Women’s rights are human rights, most extreme measures, such as decisions about whether and when to and human rights are essential to those embodied in the Alabama give birth, and they have felt secure mental health and well-being. legislature’s vote on May 14 to in their right to privacy. These new classify abortion as a felony. laws substitute the opinion of state The Association for Women in legislatures over the opinions of wom- Psychology is an august, 50-year-old These laws are damaging to the en and their doctors, and they sug- organization whose mission includes emotional health of girls and wom- gest that women are incapable of the promotion of emotional health en in a number of important ways: making ethical decisions based on and happiness for all. awpsych.org their own health and circumstances; (1) Growing girls learn that in cru- and cial, life-altering ways, the govern-
EDITOR ’S REFLECTION (CON’T)
of the exercise to be in touch with taking the time, and appreciating the their thoughts and emotions, moment. acknowledging them, and then letting them go to be more present. Gardening: There is a community We do not seem to realize how garden where I live that is active in much we hurry in our lives. spring and summer. I enjoy the Recently, my yoga instructor people who gather there during the introduced an intention for the work day and we tend to whatever is practice to slow down and not needed for the garden. Most time is hurry. It was a meaningful practice spent weeding while we get to know for me whose work pace has not each other and catch up on each slow down this summer. It has other’s lives as we fitness how much stayed with both my husband and plants have grown each week. There Yuki Okubo I where he has reminded me the is something magical and healing importance of showing down, (continue to page 27) Newsletter Editor Page 24 Spring Issue, 2019
Consider Submitting to PWQ Editor: Mary M. Brabeck, PhD, New Y ork University
Editor-Elect Dawn Szymanski, PhD, University of Tennessee
Assistant Editor: Anna Hillary, MA, MSed, New Y ork University
Associate Editors: Kelly Cue Davis, PhD, University of Washington
Asia A. Eaton, PhD, Florida International University Psychology of Women Quarterly Annette S. Kluck, PhD, Auburn University (PWQ) is a feminist, scientific, peer- Shannon Lynch, PhD, Idaho State University reviewed journal that Lindsay M. Orchowski, PhD, Brown University publishes empirical research, critical reviews, theoretical Laurel B. Watson, PhD, University of Missouri-KC articles that advance a field of inquiry, teaching briefs, and Consultants to the Editors: invited book reviews Matthew A. Diemer, PhD, University of Michigan
related to the psychology of Michelle Fine, PhD, CUNY Graduate School women and gender. W. Todd Abraham, Iowa State University
Visit our Sage website: Book Review Editor: pwq.sagepub.com Ellen Cole, PhD, The Sage Colleges
To submit an article, go to: Teaching Section Editor: mc.manuscriptcentral.com/pwq Britney G Brinkman, PhD, Chatham University
Published by Sage Publications for the Student Advisory Board Mentor: Society for the Psychology of Women, Lisa R. Rubin, PhD, New School for Social Research Division 35 American Psychological As- sociation Teaching Supplements Coordinator: http://www.apa.org/divisions/div35/ Clare M. Mehta, PhD, Emmanuel College
Association for Women in Psychology Page 25
CALL FOR AWP A WARDS
Jewish Women’s Caucus (JWC) 2018 Award for Scholarship
$250 Prize from the Pax Fund Held by the AWP Treasurer
Deadline: December 31, 2019
Purpose Intended to recognize, further the development of, and honor distinguished scholarship in the field of the psychology of Jewish Women. The JWC Award was established by the family of Kayla Weiner, to honor her work in the areas of Judaism, Feminism and Psychology. JWC funds are held in a socially conscious no- load mutual fund.
Eligibility Theoretical papers, creative projects and research papers will be considered. Papers that have been submitted for publication or presented at professional meetings are eligible, as well as papers that have been previously published or accepted for publication.
Submission Entries should be written in APA style. Email to
Criteria Nominations will be judged on the basis of theoretical creativity, quality of the project, clarity, style presentation, and importance and relevance of the topic to the psychology of Jewish women.
Award A $250 prize will be awarded. The award will be announced at the American Psychological Association Conference. The winner is asked to be an active member of AWP, and to present her work as an ‘invited address’ at the next year’s Association for Women in Psychology Conference.
To Contribute to the Award Please make tax-deductible donation checks payable to AWP, earmarked “JWC Award.”
Send Donations, Submissions, Hard Copies and/or Nominations to: Sharon Siegel, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite #203, Palm Springs, CA 92262-6464 Or e-mail with subject line: “JWC Award Nomination” to
CALL FOR AWP A WARDS
SPECTRUM LGBTQ+ 2018-2019 Award Gender and Sexual Minority Manuscript Award
We are pleased to announce AWP’s fourth annual SPECTRUM Award to reward and encourage research on the Psychology of the LGBTQ+ Experience!
Content: The Association for Women in Psychology encourages submissions of theoretical and empirical manuscripts that address the psychology of marginalized gender and sexual identity populations, including but not necessarily limited to those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, and/or queer. Manuscripts focusing on any topic relevant to the psychology of populations of marginalized gender and sexual identity status are invited.
Eligibility: Individual and jointly authored manuscripts are eligible. Manuscripts (conference papers, dissertations, journal articles, or other manuscripts) can be unpublished, under review, accepted for publication or published. (Note: If you are submitting a published manuscript for consideration, please provide full citation and note that no manuscripts published PRIOR to January 1, 2018 will be considered). Manuscripts not more than 50 pages are recommended. Entire books are not eligible. Members and nonmembers of the Association for Women in Psychology are eligible to apply.
Deadline extended to Friday, June 21, 2019 at 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time.
Evaluation and Requirements: Submissions must be made by manuscript author(s) to Erin Hipple ([email protected]) by 11:59pm (Eastern Standard Time) on Friday, June 21, 2019. Please send your submissions via email with the following email subject line: AWP 2019 SPECTRUM Submission. Please include two documents in your submission (Word or PDF), one document containing the manuscript with no identifying information (including only the title, abstract, and manuscript body) and a second document containing contact information (i.e., author name(s) and contact information along with the title, abstract, and manuscript body). A panel of SPECTRUM committee members will review the anonymous manuscripts. Submissions will be evaluated on the basis of sound methodology, clarity of writing, and relevance to the advancement of the psychology of gender and sexual minorities.
Award: The award winner will receive a $250 honorarium and will be given the opportunity to present their research at the 2020 Annual Association for Women in Psychology conference. The award winner will be notified by email and announced at the American Psychology Association convention in August (the winner is not required to attend the APA award ceremony, but is strongly encouraged to present their work at a special awards symposium at the AWP conference). Please email Erin Hipple with any questions you may have at [email protected].
OTHER AWP A WARDS
Check out AWP Website Awards page at https://www.awpsych.org/awards.php for all the awards with detailed information. AssociationAssociation for forWomen Women in Psychology in Psychology Page 27
CALL FOR AWP A WARDS (CON’ T ) LUMA Award
Deadlines EXTENDED to Friday, June 21, 2019 at 11:59pm.
Purpose: The Association for Women in Psychology encourages theoretical and empirical scholarship that addresses the psychology of lesbians’ experience.
Topics: Manuscripts focusing on any topic relevant to the psychology of lesbians are invited. Submissions must be made by manuscript author(s) to [email protected] by the extended deadline. Deadline EXTENDED to Friday, June 21, 2019 at 11:59pm, (Eastern Standard Time) with subject line: AWP 2019 LUMA Submission.
Please include two word documents or PDF documents in your submission, one document containing the manuscript with no identifying information (including only the title, abstract, and manuscript body) and a second document containing contact information (i.e., author name(s) and contact information along with the title, abstract, and manuscript body). A panel of Association for Women in Psychology committee members will review the anonymous manuscripts. Submissions will be evaluated on the basis of sound methodology, clarity of writing, and relevance to the advancement of the psychology of lesbians. The award winner will be notified individually via email and also announced at American Psychology Association convention in August (the winner is not required to attend the APA award ceremony). The winner is invited to present the manuscript at the Annual Association for Women in Psychology conference and will receive a $250 honorarium and waived conference registration for presenting.
Eligibility Manuscripts (conference papers, dissertations, journal articles, or other manuscripts) can be unpublished, under review, accepted for publication or published. (Note: If you are submitting a published manuscript for consideration, please provide full citation and note that no manuscripts published PRIOR to Jan 1, 2018 will be considered.) Both sole and jointly authored papers are eligible. Manuscripts of less than 50 pages are preferred, but longer manuscripts are acceptable; however, no books will be considered. Members and nonmembers of the Association for Women in Psychology will be considered equally.
EDITOR ’S REFLECTION (CON’T)
about touching soil, being outside, decisions are small ways in which activities mentioned above, I have and witnessing vegetables, fruit, I’m building my confidence in been able to pick up books, and herbs grow. Icing on the cake affirming the experience that trying especially at the end of the day, or is being able to them enjoy eating is more important than the how the during the weekend. I’d love to read fresh produce at harvest. pictures turn out. more but I’m so excited that I’m reading again! Coloring: My creative bone was Reading: Ever since I was little, buried long time ago until I started I loved reading books. I used to go By engaging in these self-care teaching and realized this is where to a public library which was a few activities for the last few years, I was I can be creative. I’ve always blocks away while growing up on a surprised how deprived I was in enjoyed coloring but was particular daily basis. As I started reading creativity, stimulation, calm, and about it. I have been the kind of more for my education and then realization. I look forward to person who wouldn’t want to color work, I lost an ability to read for re-centering myself this summer a picture I like because I don’t want leisure during academic year. It (and before another academic year to ruin it. It has been difficult to took a very long time to realize that rolls around) to nourish my soul. overcome this notion and just try a this had to do with stress and color. And believe me, I make anxiety, lack of mental and For those of you attending and mistakes that ruin the pictures. But emotional capacity to enjoy presenting at APA in Chicago, it is just a drawing. Choosing reading. As I have started other please stop by Division 35 Suite and colors and making these small say hello! Page 28 Spring Issue, 2019 AWP IMPLEMENTATION COLLECTIVE M EETING M INUTES Feb. 28, 2019 Gurney’s Resorts Newport, RI
AGENDA TOPIC/THEME Specific Topic Discussion Points Actions/decisions
June Meeting 2019 Location and Notre Dame Campus of Emman- June 27-30 on Notre Dame Dates uel College as a possibility Campus, Emmanuel College in Boston.
APA Convention Suite APA 2020 Division suites are functioning in Will continue interactions Coordinator Update a different way than in the past. with Division 35. Having conversations with Divi- sion 35 in the future. Planning for APA 2019
AWP 2019 Conference New Award Christine Blasey-Ford Women of New awards to be brought to Updates Courage Award business meeting, and then electronic votes by membership in the future. Laura Brown’s Will ask conference attendee for Will establish a mechanism talk and donations. to collect donation at her talk. donation possibility
Registration About 385 registered, about 50 of them are guests.
AWP 2020 Conference Soliciting team Generated ways to help Co- Will continue to reach out to Updates members for Coordinators Austin based individuals. conference planning
Request for Press Release How to handle There is no established process Press release request to go press release for this. to Website/Communications request in a Coordinator timely fashion AssociationAssociation for forWomen Women in Psychology in Psychology Page 29
AWP Implementation Collective
A Feminist Voice Since 196 9 Collective Coordinator Sharon Siegel (3/17—3/20) APA Convention Suite Coordinator [email protected] Keely Hirsch (10/17 - 10/20) [email protected] Membership Coordinator Jessica Barnack-Tavlaris Women of Color Coordinator (6/18–10/21) Fran Trotman (6/19 - 6/21) [email protected] [email protected]
Staffer/Regional Coordinator Recorder/Correspondent http://www.awp.org Clare Mehta (6/18-10/21) Celina Whitmore (6/19– 3621) [email protected] [email protected] Treasurer Nikolai Houston (6/14 - 6/17: Newsletter Editor Extended to 6/19) Yuki Okubo (3/17 – 10/19) [email protected] [email protected]
Conferences Liaison Elizabeth Bennett (10/17—1020) [email protected]
Association for Women in Psychology Instagram and Twitter Accounts FOLLOW US! AWP M ISSION S TATMENT
Instagram AWP is a diverse feminist community of psychologists and allied professionals invested in the integration of personal, professional, and political power in the service of social justice.
We challenge unexamined privilege and dominant discourses that marginalize and oppress within psychology and the wider society.
AWP accomplishes this by promoting feminist scholarship, teaching, practice, and @assoc_forwomenin networking, and through mentoring, activism, and influencing public policy. psychology
Twitter www.awpsych.org
@AWP_1968