News 2018: UMass Dartmouth celebrates 50 years of feminism on Election Day

On November 6, UMass Dartmouth faculty and special guests will discuss the impact of feminism

The UMass Dartmouth Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality will host “50 Years of Feminism: Local, National & Global Perspectives” on Election Day, Nov. 6 at noon in the Robert F. Stoico/FIRSTFED Grand Reading Room in the Claire T. Carney Library.

The event will feature Mary Niesluchowska, founding Director of the Women’s Center; Janet Freedman, former Dean of Library Services and Director of Women’s Studies; and Gail Fortes, Executive Director of the YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts.

The participants will cover many topics relating to the issue of feminism and its progress over the past 50 years as well as current challenges to the movement.

“On election day, we hope to reflect on the ways in which feminist activism and social justice movements have impacted our political climate,” said Juli Parker, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality. “We are excited to welcome our founding director and community activists who have dedicated their lives to gender equality and social justice.”

Since starting the women’s center as a problem pregnancy/birth control center, Niesluchowska moved to Poland, where she speaks about feminist activism in Europe. Freedman will discuss her work nationally with feminist activism and consciousness-raising. This event is a prelude to the Center’s upcoming 50th anniversary in 2020.

A light lunch will be served. To RSVP email cwgs@umassd.edu.