Women’s Centers have a unique history of almost always existing on the margins of a university. Their very existence reminds the campus community and administrators that there are institutional barriers for women and other underrepresented students on their campus. They provide safe havens and spaces for women, LGBTQ folks, and other marginalized groups to exist. They have the specific role of advocating for students existing on the margins of university life, meaning Women’s Centers work within and for a university while also at times working against the current sexist and racist structures of the university.
The establishment of women’s centers on college and university campuses first began in the 1970s – their establishment grew out of the women’s movement and politics that were concurrently happening in the greater context of society.
Our Women’s, Gender, & Equity Center on UMBC’s campus was established many years later – in 1991 – but follows much of the same history as women’s centers created in the 1970s.
We were established through the work of faculty, students, and staff who first began talking about the creation of a women’s center as part of the President’s Commission for Women. They encouraged upper administrations to provide space and funds to establish the Women’s Center.
There was a strong consensus that a space was needed that was safe, provided advising, with special attention for returning women, offered information on women’s health and area clinics, and could be a meeting space for women’s groups on campus. Its mission would be to assist women in achieving their full potential in education, work, and personal lives through personal empowerment, academic and intellectual growth, and professional development.
At our start, a small amount of funding was provided and a half-time director position was established. Even though there was only enough funding for a part-time Director at twelve hours a week, 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.
“…the Women’s Center will enhance the lives of people…It will be an advocate for women fighting persistent marks of social inequality and prejudice that limit their potential—whether they are students, staff, or faculty…There is no doubt that the Center will play an important role in attracting students to come to UMBC and in improving the quality of their university and subsequent careers,” Angela Moorjani, Women’s Center Committee member, 1991
Since 1991, our center has grown and changed with the UMBC community! Some highlights include:
- The Women’s Center played an integral role in ensuring that campus childcare would return to campus after the childcare center was closed in the early 2010s.
- Returning Women (adult learners) students are often still marginalized on all campuses – campuses tend to still be set up for traditional aged students even though they are beginning to be outnumbered! Our Returning Adult Learners Scholars + Affiliates program, which used to be named Returning Women Students, continues to host events/workshops, and scholarships, to support these returning students in particular.
- As national focus turned to campus sexual assault and the attack on Title IX rights- which intended to support survivors, ensure policy changes occur, and that new staff positions are created to support survivors of sexual violence – the Women’s Center was a key player in UMBC’s Retriever Courage, demanding institutional change and attention to these issues. We have hosted Take Back the Night and the Clothesline Project every year since 2012. Women’s, Gender, & Equity Center staff meet with students for many reasons but the largest issue/concern is related to sexual violence/power-based violence. In 2024, Advocacy Services was created by the Senior Director WGEC, particularly for this purpose.
In 2025, the Women’s Center was renamed the Women’s, Gender, & Equity Center, to reflect the diversity and inclusion of non-women-identified members who use the space and to emphasize the importance of equity in our work. As our name changed, we also moved from our institutional home under the Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs to the Division of Institutional Equity. This move helps us prioritize engagement and support of not only undergraduate students but also graduate students, staff, and faculty.
View our Content from Women’s, Gender, & Equity Center Anniversary Cellebrations!
UMBC Women’s Center 20th Anniversary Documentary from stefanie m. mavronis on Vimeo.
Check out this Prezi created by Daniel Willey in honor of our 25th Anniversary!