Some of you may have noticed that the CENTER FOR WOMEN AND GENDER EQUITY has changed names. We are now THE CENTER FOR GENDER EQUITY. The name change in no way reflects a change in our commitment to women, nor does it limit our efforts for women. Rather, it represents an expansion of our focus and programming. We have always been interested in the gender issues of men and sexual minorities, but now because of greater resources, we have the chance to act on that interest in a more inclusive way. Our mission has not changed; we support gender equity through dialogue, programming, service, research, and advocacy in order to facilitate collaborative, humane, and sustainable University, local and global communities.

Why the name change? To answer this question, a history of the name might be useful. When the Center was first conceived in 2000, it was called “The Center for Gender Equity” because we hoped to be inclusive and to address issues that pertain to gender relationships and policies generally. However, as we began to plan our programming and services, it became clear that the focus of the Center was on women—their problems and concerns. This was partially a function of limited funds and personnel and the inability to do immediately all that we hoped eventually to accomplish. We came to feel that to adequately promote what we were really doing in the Center, we needed to be clearer in the title of the organization to communicate that the focus was primarily on women’s need and interests, so the change was made to The Center for Women and Gender Equity.

In an effort to achieve gender equity it is often necessary to focus on women’s concerns because there is still tremendous inequity between the sexes regarding wages, opportunities, basic safety from abuse (domestic violence and rape), poverty (especially among aged women), health, confidence, and leadership. Whereas in some quarters there is a sense that the feminist movement achieved it goals, the statistics say otherwise. At this point gender equity still often means addressing the situation of women.

However, we feel that it is useless to talk about gender equity if just one gender is in on the conversation. Achieving equity is a matter of changing societal attitudes generally, not just of empowering women. For this reason, men and sexual minorities are involved at all levels in the governance of CGE. Further most of the services of CGE have always been opened to people of all genders and have been used by them over the years, including the brown bag lunch presentations, referral services, counseling services, India program, Buddhist meditation, Rainbow Coalition, use of space for meetings, lending library, and programming.

It should be kept in mind that when discussing gender equity, we are not just talking about men and women; we are also thinking of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transsexuals. CGE has worked closely with Pacific’s Rainbow Coalition and the Washington County Pride Project, and plans extended collaboration with both in the future.

So, empowered with a new name, a new logo, and increased support from PUCC, PPC, the Elise Elliot Foundation, and a Gabelnick grant, we will continue to pursue the goals laid out in our mission to work towards gender, cultural and racial equity; economic and social justice; and the intellectual and cultural growth of Pacific students and the larger community.

Center Director, Martha Rampton