The Women’s Center has made a
big impact on women by bringing
in various speakers, performers,
and authors, and on Oct. 16 the center
celebrated the five-year
anniversary of these accomplishments.
“The Women’s Center is a place
where women can come to find out
more about not only their past, but
their present and future,” said
Natalie Kaye, programming coordinator
for the center. “By offering
programs dealing with women’s
history, health, relationships, and
body image, women are touched,
moved, and inspired to be their
best.”
Kaye is busy planning events for
the future, and she said they will be
doing something to celebrate the
anniversary, though she isn’t sure
exactly what that will be yet.
One student the center has
helped is 24-year-old Dawn
Boothby of Levittown. Boothby, a
federal work-study student and
psychology major, came to the
Women’s Center after her grandmother
was diagnosed with breast
cancer. The Women’s Center
helped her become more aware of
women’s issues and improved her
personal life.
“You can drown in the darkness
of your past or you can pick yourself
up and improve someone else’s
future and your own. What I get
from being here is worth more than
any words I could say,” said Boothby.
The Women’s Center continues
to bring well-known artists to campus.
In partnering with the music
department, the center will be hosting
a performance by Lauren Pelon
in January. Pelon will play music
written by and for women. She
plays 25 ancient and modern
instruments that were either
played by women or forbidden to
them.
In recognition of National Eating
Disorders week in February,
the center has invited back singer
and motivational speaker Shannon
Cutts, who suffered from an eating
disorder earlier in her life.
The center has also attracted the
attention of award-winning author
Gail Sheehy, who came to Bucks
last year to talk about her book,
“Sex and the Seasoned Women:
Pursuing the Passionate Life.”
There are simple ways to get
involved in the Women’s Center’s
upcoming events. Students,
including men, will soon be receiving
an e-mail survey with a list of
topic ideas for programs.
Dr. Lois Gilmore teaches a
women’s studies course at Bucks,
and at the beginning of each semester
she brings her students to the
Women’s Center.
“I see a very strong connection
between the Women’s Center and
the students. It’s a way to get more
awareness and involvement. I
would be thrilled if my students
spent every day in the Women’s
Center,” she said.