WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester University (WCU) is set to make a significant contribution to the academic landscape with the launch of its Women’s and Gender Studies Collection, an innovative educational resource designed to provide accessible and reliable information on critical social issues such as race, gender, and sexuality. The launch ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, and will feature a keynote lecture by renowned author Ijeoma Oluo.
Oluo, celebrated for her incisive works including “So You Want to Talk About Race,” “Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America,” and “Be a Revolution: How Everyday People are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World — and How You Can, Too,” will headline the event. Her recognition includes being named to the 2021 TIME 100 Next list and receiving accolades such as the 2018 Feminist Humanist Award and the 2020 Harvard Humanist of the Year Award, underscoring her influence in contemporary discussions on race and gender.
The Women’s and Gender Studies Collection is the visionary project of Dr. Lisa Huebner, a distinguished professor in WCU’s women’s and gender studies department. This open educational resource aims to be a cornerstone for students, faculty, and the broader community, offering a diverse array of materials in written, artistic, and audio/video formats. The collection is committed to providing free access to information, ensuring that discussions surrounding critical topics are informed by trustworthy and validated sources.
Thursday’s launch event, hosted at the Sykes Student Union Ballrooms, will not only feature Oluo’s keynote address but also include a book signing and student panel sessions, fostering an engaging dialogue among attendees. The event is organized by WCU’s Women’s and Gender Studies department in collaboration with the Center for Women and Gender Equity.
Significantly, the establishment of the Women’s and Gender Studies Collection has been bolstered by a $100,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation. This grant is part of the foundation’s Affirming Multivocal Humanities initiative, which has dedicated over $18 million to enhancing humanities education at public institutions nationwide. The support from the Mellon Foundation emphasizes the importance of diverse narratives and the need for inclusive educational platforms that reflect the complexities of our society.
The launch of this collection marks a pivotal moment for West Chester University, as it reinforces its efforts to foster an inclusive academic environment and provides valuable resources for understanding and addressing the pressing social issues of our time.
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