WOMEN AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE Dr. Luann Dummer Voices Our theme for 2017-18 is “Women and Eco- Do,” the title of her book. We plan to host relat- nomic Justice.” We often hear discussions of ed events in preparation for Addario’s lecture, gender equity, women’s issues, or feminism in and we will issue a call for participation from all the context of “social” justice, but we want to sectors of the community. address the fundamental issues of economic justice more in depth this year. Topics such Exploring Justice as women’s work, power, or economic status Women have achieved many things while come to mind immediately, as do related topics breaking down traditional stereotypes that Many Thomas 2017 University of St. Fall such as pay equity, immigration, sex-trafficking, sought to constrain them. The books chosen welfare and healthcare. All of these have direct for this year’s book club tackle women’s eco- ramifications for women. nomic struggles and accomplishments. Scan- Additionally, we need to seriously consider ning the titles (which are available in this issue intersectional issues such as race and sexuality, with brief descriptions), we can see how truly partly because these issues are always already wide-ranging our theme is. Hosting and facili- interconnected. And what about the questions tating monthly book discussions has been one concerning the relative lack of women’s pres- of the most fulfilling and enjoyable parts of my ence in the business, entrepreneurial and STEM work, and I’m particularly grateful to our guest sectors? We propose to think through the ram- co-facilitators and attendees for our vigorous ifications of these areas and address some of conversations. them in concrete terms throughout the year. Capturing Justice On Camera With this goal in mind, we chose Lynsey Add- ario, an internationally recognized photogra- pher and photojournalist, for our 2018 March Women’s History month speaker. As a trail-blaz- ing female photojournalist, she witnessed many recent wars, life-threatening dangers, and captured deeply stirring photographs of the lives and scenes of our time. In documenting the many faces of poverty-stricken parts of the world and many different cultures, she stated succinctly the ethos of her work: “It’s What I A newsletter of the University of St. Thomas Luann Dummer Center for Women, the University Advocates for Women and Equity, and the Women’s Studies Program DIRECTOR’S NOTES Dr. Young-ok An, LDCW; Women’s Work for All English and Women’s Studies We always have been the Building on last year's threats it has received from the “hub” for empowering the current administration (p. 12). campus community on gender- efforts, we will continue We also welcome confirmation related and women’s issues, facilitating social from the University that its efforts intersectional social justice, engagement, research, in the area will not change. We and diversity; but as political and education. will continue to collaborate with discourse at the national level the Title IX officer and the Sexual became more hostile, regressive, Our regular programs saw great Misconduct Prevention Program and even quite oppressive to strides as well. We had a very Office, which have formed a women and minority groups since successful 2017 Women’s Sexual Violence Prevention Task the presidential election 2016, History Month lecture by Nina Force. From the LDCW’s advisory we were compelled to work Totenberg, which attracted board and the LDCW team, Liz harder to counter anti-women about 450 people, filling the OEC Dussol, Angela High-Pippert, and anti-equality discourse Auditorium entirely. In this issue, Whitney Oachs, Abby Heller, and with activism and intellectual we include a brief recap of her myself are participating in this work. We participated in the talk by an LDCW board member, Taskforce. rising waves of the collective Brittany Stojsavljevic (pp. 14-15). social movement for inclusivity, It was a timely event to recognize Our Feminist Friday series diversity, and equity. Through journalists’ hard work traditionally was launched in September semester-long activities and as “the fourth branch” of the with the faculty-student team gatherings (including the government and honor one of of women engineers in the postcard campaign, “Huddle” the most distinctive reporters newly implemented Peace events, the International Women’s who has broken the glass ceiling Engineering program at St. Day discussion, and “Activist multiple times in her long and Thomas, focusing on their Digest”), we were able to keep distinguished career. work that especially benefits the issues of women’s rights women in African countries. In and gender equity front and Our Feminist Friday events often October, we presented on how center. saw full houses, and we added “Social Entrepreneurship” can one more to accommodate the empower young women, as the need for an on-going discussion second of the four-part series co- on prevention and awareness sponsored with Social Innovation of sexual violence and assault Collaboratory. In November, our on campus. In this issue, we speaker is a local activist and include a student’s response community leader who is having to this prevalent issue and the a deep impact on women’s lives 2 and empowering women. The LDCW also funded students, Our partnerships with WMST, faculty, and staff to UAWE, and LGBTQ+Allies have been vital to our mission, as attend the Women’s we work towards the common Convention in mission of gender equity, social Detroit th th justice, and diversity through (October 27 -29 ). education and support. Regular columns and special features in this issue illustrate our works I’d like to add that the Center toward the common good. provides a safe, welcoming space for weekly meetings for Our co-sponsorship efforts FemCom, QSA (Queer-Straight with other branches have been Alliance), and Catholic Women very strong as well. In particular, Leadership groups. Often I see through the “And Still We them gather at around 5:00 or Rise” series co-sponsored with 5:30, and it is great to see these Student Diversity and Inclusion groups engage deep, honest, staffer is on maternity leave this Services (SDIS), we have been and meaningful discussions semester (congratulations on addressing intersectional issues on a range of issues that the arrival of Esja-Rose!), and of race and gender each month. are important to them. I think a great team of staffers, Emily I have been impressed with the providing that physical and Kindelspire, Samantha Wisneski, quality of the presentations, and symbolic space is a vital part of and Kerry Kraemer, is in place. I’m particularly heartened by the fostering feminism and diversity high attendance from students of on the whole campus. I also welcome the new student color and allies working toward team: Carlee Dietrich, Whitney racial and gender equality. In embarking a new academic Oachs, Jayda Pounds, Danielle year, I’m deeply thankful to our Wong, Sadie Pedersen, and board, staff and the LDCW team. Kaitlyn Spratt. Christine Balsley, our regular LET’S GET TO WORK! LDCW Chocolate Reception 3 LDCW FEMINIST FRIDAY TALKS Empowering Women Mind the Gap After the Through Peace October 20 Adrenaline: Co-Sponsored with the Social Engineering innovation Collaboratory Sustaining Political September 15 Activism When It Feels Like No One Is Listening November 17 Dr. Camille George & Bridget Carey Kristi Hemmer Dr. Camille George and senior Do you see gaps in systems? In Bridget Carey spoke on peace en- this Feminist Friday, we learned gineering as the power of service how women-led businesses in engineering. This growing field, outperform men in innovation, Dr. Gloria Everson both at UST and within the engi- culture, retention, and financial neering profession, provides op- success. Gloria earned her PhD in anthro- portunities for those at the bottom pology from Tulane University in As a POWERshop, participants: of the economic pyramid around New Orleans, basing her research the world, particularly women. • Identified a BIG question to in Central America. After teaching The speakers brought examples guide them in their college anthropology for 15 years at Lyon from their work on post-harvest years and beyond College in Arkansas, she decid- processing tools that were devel- • Learned about the POWER of ed to move back to the Midwest oped in partnership with several women in business and the to be closer to friends and fam- local and global NGOs and aimed world. ily and to get more involved in at helping female subsistence • Connected with other community building. In mid-No- farmers attain greater yield, high- women who not only want a vember 2016, she was named er quality, and added value for better world but want to do the Minnesota State Chair for the economic justice. something about it. Women’s March on Washing- ton, spearheading the efforts to Our yearly theme for 2016-17 was Kristi Hemmer is a social entre- ensure the state was represented “Breaking through the Glass Ceil- preneur and educator who has well in our nation’s capital. Since ing,” targeting both the acknowl- traveled the world learning about January, she has focused her edged and unacknowledged social entrepreneurship and efforts on creating a “sustainable” glass ceilings women face in this effects women can make. She activism. country and all over the world. started her own social business Our programming and events AWEinc. (Academy for Women’s raised many aspects of this theme Empowerment), which aims to un- while also responding to unfold- leash the potential in each woman ing situations on and off-campus. by disrupting the status quo. AWEinc. teaches women and girls to be brave—NOT perfect. 4 WOMEN'S STUDIES NEWS the program to be more inclusive Looking Ahead for of larger gender concerns.