Friday, September 30, 2016
(Setup on Thursday, September 29)

Baltimore Convention Center
One West Pratt Street – West Wing
Baltimore, MD 21201

Join your friends, coworkers and neighbors to help hundreds of homeless individuals, children and families access the services they need. As a volunteer guide, you’ll be paired with a homeless participant and accompany them throughout the event.

This year’s event will also feature our first Mission of Mercy dental clinic serving an estimated 1,000 patients. Additional volunteers are needed for the dental clinic on Thursday, September 29.

We’re looking forward to having you volunteer again. Thank you!

REGISTER NOW

Questions? Contact us at phc@uwcm.org.

A blog reflection by Women’s Center intern Mariana de Matos Medeiros 

On October 5^th, 2014, I was finally able to cast my first vote for a Presidential election since moving to America. It was an incredible experience to head over into the Brazilian consulate event in Washington, DC, bright-eyed and ready to make a difference for my home country. As an immigrant who has not yet attained citizen status, I am not able to vote in America so voting to make a difference for my family and friends at home was empowering. As a feminist, I felt most thrilled about having the ability to vote for a leftist woman who had already done much to carry out social welfare programs. I voted for Dilma Rousseff based on how she had run her administration in her previous term: focusing on women and marginalized communities and continuing to carry out social welfare programs to address the ever widening gap between the rich and the poor.

During the past months Brazil’s political drama has reached its all-time high. With the most recent Olympic games being hosted in Rio, the entire world was watching as Brazil’s first woman-identified, leftist president was pushed out of office pending an investigation on alleged corrupt behavior.

Dilma Rousseff // image credit: Wikipedia

Rousseff ran for president under the left-winged Worker’s Party of Brazil, yet she did not always bring solidarity among feminists, as some may assume. In fact, the Brazilian feminist movements were often split between those who supported her public policies and those who rejected her administration, demanding advances in issues of reproductive justice and education. However, Brazilian feminists tend to agree that Rousseff’s impeachment was a blatant act of sexism and discrimination.  

Not only have several of her male counterparts been found to be involved with pedaladas fiscais (misusing bank funds from the federal government that are allocated to many state and federal social programs) without punishment, but over half of the senators who voted for her impeachment are being investigated for laundering money for personal benefit and other serious crimes.

Despite being cleared from any involvement in the pedaladas fiscais, Rousseff has been formally impeached. (This video helps unpack Brazil’s current political situation in more detail.)

What’s most disconcerting is that her replacement, Michel Temer, has been formally convicted of violating election laws and is barred from running for office for the next eight years. However, since he is already in office he is permitted to remain president until the election cycle in 2018.

With support of the elite, Temer and other conservatives began a slogan to encourage Rousseff’s impeachment: Tchau, Querida, which roughly translates to “Bye, darling.” This sexist and patronizing slogan undermines the significance of Rousseff’s time in office by dismissing it as the problem caused by a woman, a “darling.”

As it were, this is not the first time a woman in leadership has been undermined in her power and ability, and referring to a political leader in such a condescending and infantilizing manner is blatantly disrespectful.

Prior to the impeachment, politicians from all sides began passing a multitude of laws that slowly chipped away at women’s rights, including laws that would criminalize abortions for rape survivors, define families as a union between a man and a woman, and make accessing emergency contraception in the wake of the Zika outbreak more difficult. Simultaneously, old gendered concerns did not go away: violence against women is still a widespread pandemic and there is still an overall cultural acceptance surrounding gendered-based violence in Brazil as rape still remains an invisible crime.

However, with a more conservative political push came increased feminist mobilization. Through street protests and social media activism Brazilian women have fought back against this conservative wave of legislature. In June of this year, thousands of women took the streets behind a poster that read Por Elas Todas (For All Women) in outrage of the high rates of sexual violence against young girls.

Por Elas Todas protest // image credit: Flickr

Sadly, despite the feminist mobilization, the situation is still quite grim as Temer has already created the most conservative congress since the end of the military rule in 1985. His all-white, all-male congress has slashed ministries aimed at assisting women, black people, and other marginalized groups. Indeed, 7.6% of Brazil’s population is made up of individuals from African decent and most of these individuals live in poverty.

There are far more nuances to be investigated and discussed about Brazil’s deeply intricate political situation than I have space to discuss on this post. I have felt deeply concerned and proud to see so much activism surrounding the community I call home. It’s unquestionable that the circumstances surrounding Rousseff’s impeachment serves as a reminder to Brazil’s citizens and the world that misogyny and sexism toward women in leadership is alive and well.

Get to know this year’s team of student staff and interns!

2016-17 Women’s Center Staff

Mariana De Matos Medeiros (she/her), Student Intern 

Hi! My name is Mariana de Matos Medeiros and I am studying Psychology and Gender and Women’s Studies, centering my studies on sexual violence prevention. After my time at UMBC, I hope to find a career in advocacy where I can support and empower survivors of sexual violence. Lavender is my favorite everything: food flavor, scent, essential oil, and (most of all) color. In my free time I enjoy learning more about vegetarianism, practicing yoga, and binge watching the Great British Baking Show. I would love to learn and share with you so please feel free to reach out!

Daniel Willey (he/him), Student Staff 

Hi everyone, I’m Daniel! I’m a fourth year Gender and Women’s Studies major and a third year Women’s Center staff member. I do a lot of work here with trans students and advocacy, as well as work with men and healthy masculinities. Ask me about disability, fatness, gender identity, being a mentally ill student, unpacking white privilege, and the Brave Space Guidelines! (Plus I have lots of things to tell you about sexual and menstrual health, fiber crafts, and Steven Universe.) I love to chat with community members and I’m usually a friendly face around campus.

Ciera Earl (she/her), Student Staff

My name is Ciera, I am a Visual Arts major in my last year at UMBC. I am very excited to be part of the Women’s Center community and look forward to learning more about the people who inhabit the space. Black and White film lover with a penchant for anything John Hughes.

Shira Devorah (she/her or they/them), Student Staff 

Hello! My name is Shira Devorah and I can’t wait to get to know you! You may have seen me around last semester working at the Women’s Center or maybe in one of your GWST classes. I’m about four years younger than the Women’s Center, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary (if you haven’t heard)! I’m a bisexual, genderqueer femme who loves doodling, journaling, and spending too much money on chocolate. I hope to go to grad school one day to get a PhD and become a psychologist specializing in LGBTQ+ care and sexual health. I’d also love to end up teaching at a university one day.

Even when I’m not working, I spend a good chunk of time at the Women’s Center. It’s my favorite place to do homework, relax, and spend quality time with friends. I love that the Center is a hub of community and vibrant discussion, that so many different issues are brought up within our programing. This year I’ll be getting even more involved in the conversation! I will be co-facilitating Between Women with our director Jess Myers and planning the roundtable series with fellow staff member and fantastic friend Michael!

I feel incredibly lucky to get to finish out my last year of college while working at the Women’s Center. This place has become a part of who I am, and I will carry all that I learn here with me into a future that is rich in intersectional feminist activism. I can’t wait to see you around our space, at our programs, or in some of our discussion groups!

Prachi Kochar (she/her), Student Intern 

Hey, everyone! My name is Prachi and I’m a senior double majoring in Psychology and Gender and Women’s Studies, and I’m looking to go into Clinical Psychology with a focus on deaf children and other groups with disabilities. This is my first (and last, sadly) year at the Women’s Center, but I am so excited for the learning opportunities and personal connections that it will bring me!

Especially as a deaf woman of color, I am very passionate about social issues and bringing diverse voices to the forefront in every arena of life. However, my interests don’t stop there! I love ice hockey (Go Caps!), creating and viewing art of all kinds, our great state of Maryland, fitness, astronomy, coffee/tea/caffeine in almost any form, and whatever the hot new show on Netflix is. I also love all things UMBC and am a sister of Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. as well as president of the Multicultural Greek Council. If you couldn’t tell, I am always ready to talk about all of these things, so please feel free to say “Hi!” to me around campus or strike up a conversation with me in the Commons.

Michael Jalloh-Jamboria (he/him), Student Staff 

Hey! I’m Michael Jalloh-Jamboria. I am currently a Gender/Women Studies and Biology double major. This is my third year at UMBC and my second year as a student staff member here at the Women’s Center! I am also a diversity presenter with the Mosaic Center and senior staff member of Montgomery County Recreation!

I’m always up for of being critical of fatness and queerness and their intersections with other identities. Feel free to come by and chat with me! I love visitors and I’m always up for listening.

Long story short, here’s who I am: Fat.Feminist.Trans.Queer.Muslim.

Jewel Oliver (they/them or she/her), Volunteer 

 I’m a new volunteer at the Women’s Center and I’ll be co-facilitating Women of Color Coalition with Prachi.

The CAHSS Dean’s Research Fund (CDRF) provides a biannual (proposals due Oct 1 and Apr 1) competitive funding opportunity for up to $5,000 to support the research endeavors of CAHSS tenured and tenure-track faculty and lecturers. Funds will support developing or established scholarly and creative projects. Faculty on visiting or short-term appointments are not eligible to apply. Awarded funds will be available through the end of the fiscal year following the award year. After completion of the grant term, awardees must provide evidence of work produced and a short report describing how funds were spent and how any equipment purchased has been designated for continued College use.

Items that are eligible for CDRF funding include: travel, equipment, supplies, books, research participant costs, undergraduate or graduate student support, and other items necessary for research endeavors. No faculty salary support or course releases may be funded through this initiative. Funds supporting this initiative are provided by the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Applications will be reviewed by the CAHSS Research Advisory Committee, which will make recommendations to the Dean. Proposals will be judged on: the quality of the proposed project, feasibility of the work, and how the project will benefit from CDRF assistance.

Limit one application per faculty member per funding cycle. Limit one award per faculty per two years.

Link for application materials: http://cahss.umbc.edu/cahss-deans-research-fund/ 

Information from CAHSS Dean's Office

Take the next step in your career!

  

Explore what you can do with an APSIA Degree!

APSIA schools share the same passions you have for solving global challenges.

Talk with admissions experts about masters degrees, financial aid, and other questions you may have.

Come learn how an APSIA degree can transform your career at our Washington DC graduate school fair:

September 14, 2016

Participating Schools

• American University, School of International Service
• Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs
• Duke University, Sanford School of Public Policy
• George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs
• Georgetown University, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
• Georgia Institute of Technology, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs
• Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government
• IE University, School of International Relations
• Johns Hopkins University, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
• National University of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
• Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs
• Sciences Po, Paris School of International Affairs
• Stockholm School of Economics
• Syracuse University, The Maxwell School
• Texas A&M University, Bush School of Government & Public Service
• Tufts University, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
• University of California San Diego, School of Global Policy and Strategy
• University of Denver, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
• University of Maryland, School of Public Policy
• University of Michigan, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
• University of Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs
• University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public And International Affairs
• University of Southern California, Master of Public Diplomacy
• University of St. Gallen, Master of Arts in International Affairs and Governance
• University of Washington, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies
• Yale University, Jackson Institute for Global Affairs

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Are you looking to study terrorism? Are you hoping to work in the intelligence community? Are you considering graduate school?

Designed for both future practitioners and scholars, START’s flexible and fully online program provides students with advanced education on the causes, dynamics and impacts of international and domestic terrorism. The unique online format enables students to work full or part-time while advancing their education. No pre-requisite knowledge is required, yet our coursework is appropriate for both new and experienced learners.

Program Description
START's Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis aims to train the next generation of scholars and analysts to examine questions related to the behavior of terrorists and terrorist groups, and how societies can best prepare and respond to terrorist threats and attacks. Students also develop the methodological skills necessary to pursue advanced research on and analysis of terrorism. This four-course, twelve-credit, fully online program can be completed in as little as nine-months –  or a more expanded two years. To learn more about the program and courses, visit http://www.start.umd.edu/education/graduate-certificate-online. 

Eligibility
Eligible applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited U.S. institution, or an equivalent degree at a foreign university. A 3.0 GPA is preferred, but experience may substitute. GRE scores are not required.

Application Information 

The program accepts applications at two points during the calendar year. This allows upcoming fall, spring, and summer graduates to begin the program soon after they have earned their four-year degree. Applications for spring admission are due December 1 for domestic applicants. More information regarding the application deadlines and term timelines can be found on our website.

Interested? 

An online information session will be held on September 27 at 6:00pm EST. To join the discussion, rsvp to START Education ateducation@start.umd.edu with “Grad Cert Info Session” in the subject line of the email. 

More Information?

Request a virtual information packet by emailing education@start.umd.edu and be sure to check out other opportunities at START, like our internship program and summer/winter courses on our website.

The Political Science Department is accepting applications to the the 68th Annual Student Conference on U.S. Affairs (SCUSA) at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York. This is an excellent opportunity to get involved in international and security debates with a large number of students and experts from around the country.

Every year, the Department sends two students to represent UMBC at this conference. Past participants have found the conference to be extremely rewarding. The Department covers registration fees and transportation to West Point, while the conference organizers provide room and board while there. If you are interested, please send a brief (one paragraph) letter of interest, including why you would like to go, what makes you qualified to represent the Department and your GPA to: Dr. Brian Grodsky,bgrodsky@umbc.edu. All applications must be received by September 19. 

For more information, see below. 

On behalf of Colonel Suzanne Nielsen, the head of the Department of Social Sciences, I would like to extend an invitation to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, to send two student delegates to participate in the 68th Annual Student Conference on U.S. Affairs (SCUSA), hosted by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. The conference meets from November 9th through November 12th, 2016.  West Point hosts SCUSA every fall, and it is the oldest and largest undergraduate conference of its type in the world. Approximately 200 undergraduate students from over 100 colleges and universities around the world attend SCUSA. Throughout the conference, the student delegates and cadets debate and formulate policy recommendations that realistically model American strategic responses to significant national and global challenges. The highlights of the four-day conference include the opening senior panel discussion on the evening of November 9th, an evening keynote banquet address, four roundtable sessions, and a closing-report session on November 12th. Recent keynote speakers have included Secretary Madeleine Albright, Ambassador Thomas Pickering, Lieutenant General (Ret.) Brent Scowcroft, and Admiral James Stavridis.   Our organizing theme this year is "Democracy & Democratization: Challenges & Opportunities." Beginning the day after the U.S. presidential election, the conference invites participants to consider the challenges and opportunities facing the United States as it responds to key questions concerning the health and future of democracy. Among the questions to be explored are: what are the political, normative, and material limits to promoting democracy in the world? Does democracy confront greater challenges in some countries and regions? How does political radicalism in its many forms challenge democracy? What does the survival of authoritarian and hybrid regimes indicate about the long-term prospects for democracy internationally? Can democracy successfully navigate ethno-religious conflict?   

Live in New York City. Defend workers’ rights. Get paid and earn college credits.

New York Union Semester is a full-time intensive academic and internship program that provides students with an opportunity to put their passion for social justice to work, both inside and outside the classroom. The Spring 2017 semester runs from January 30 to May 26, 2017.

When should students apply for New York Union Semester?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and early applicants are given priority. Apply now! Final deadline for Spring 2017 is November 1, 2016.

Do Union Semester interns get paid?
New York Union Semester students receive a stipend of $7,000 over the course of semester to cover tuition and living expenses. 

Where are New York Union Semester interns placed?
New York Union Semester has partnerships with a variety of unions, worker organizations across the five boroughs. Students intern four days a week for fifteen weeks. We try to pair students’ interests and experience with the needs of our partners.

What is the academic program?
During the evenings and all-day on Fridays, students take classes with the renowned Labor Studies faculty at the Murphy Institute. Students who successfully complete NY Union Semester earn a total of 16 undergraduate credits or 12 graduate credits. Students are responsible for tuition and fees, but pay tuition at the in-state resident rate.

How do students apply for New York Union Semester?
Go to www.unionsemester.org and start an application today!

To speak with the NY Union Semester Coordinator, Sarah Hughes, call (212) 642-2075 or email unionsemester@sps.cuny.edu

www.unionsemester.org

The Women’s Center at UMBC turns 25 this year! We’re excited to share our important milestone with UMBC’s 50th Anniversary and will be celebrating throughout the year with the rest of campus! We were inspired by Special Collections archival project Archives Gold: 50 Objects for UMBC’s 50th and decided to do our own digging into the Women’s Center archives. Over the course of the year, we’ll be sharing 25 “Then vs Now” archives to celebrate the origin and evolution of the Women’s Center at UMBC.

This week we’re featuring the Women’s Center staffs from over the years!

Meet the Women’s Center staff from 1994-95!

When the Women’s Center first opened in 1991, there was only enough funding for a part-time director to work twelve hours a week. The Women’s Union, a feminist student organization, helped to enlist student volunteers who collectively contributed a total of 50 hours per week in order to keep the space open for those seeking resources and services. Paula Morton was named the first director and held part-time hours starting in December 1991 until October 1992. For another part of the early part of the Women’s Center history, students would have to find Simmona Simmons, a founding committee member, in the library to get the key to the Center (and you can still find Simmona in the library today! When you see her thank her for all of her hard work in making the Women’s Center a reality!!) .  

Ten years later – meet the Women’s Center 2014-15 staff.

In 2016, the Women’s Center operates with 2 full-time staff members and 6 student staff and interns and volunteers. Together they provide space, services, and programs (over 150 a year!) and make contact with almost 10,000 visits a year.

Happy birthday Women’s Center and UMBC from the 2016-17 staff!

This week we celebrate our 25th anniversary with a birthday party! Meet some of former Women’s Center staff members and directors, celebrate our 25 years, and wish us a 25 years (plus some!) more! For details on the party which will be hosted on September 13th from 4-6pm, click here. 

What are the memories you have of the Women’s Center over the years that are meaningful to you? What does the Women’s Center mean to you today? Share your memories and pictures with us in the comment section below!

Stay up-to-date with our 25th anniversary on social media using #UMBCWC25. Share your Women’s Center experiences and memories with the UMBC community using #UMBCWC25 AND #UMBC50!