Friends of the Center

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Our Mission

We are committed to providing leadership and advocacy in promoting gender equity as well as challenging gender-related barriers that impede full access and inclusion for women. To fulfill our mission the Center works to raise awareness of critical issues, provide opportunities to translate awareness into action and empower individuals to advocate for themselves and others.

Need for a Women’s Center Persists

It has been over 40 years since Title IX changed the face of higher education and gave women new opportunities. However, the need for a Center to address the particular issues facing women and gender equity persists. The Center’s staff and Advisory Board meet regularly to examine the needs of KU women and focus programming accordingly. It is critical to recognize the achievements of women, host programs to address violence prevention, and to provide special programming that encourages women to realize their potential.

Reaching Toward the Future

There are still barriers and hurdles for women to overcome, the Center aims to confront these challenges. Private contributions will help the Center support and maintain important projects including the KU Women’s Hall of Fame, KU Women of Distinction Calendar, and the annual Women’s Recognition Program. Additional support would allow the Center to expand mentoring opportunities through highlighting stories about influential KU women and their contributions to the advancement of women. We aspire to enhance the Center in scope and reach. Private support will enable the Center to achieve this aspiration by utilizing KU undergraduate and graduate students as researchers, web designers, and program assistants.

Our Story: Dr. Emily Taylor’s Legacy

Dr. Taylor devoted her life to changing the perception of women in society. During her time at KU Dr. Taylor morphed the Dean of Women’s Office into a resource for young women by enabling them to engage in social change, seek individual counseling, and by supporting female leaders. She was essential in creating greater educational equity for women at KU such as increasing women faculty members, providing daycare as well as reproductive services, and opening doors for women in all fields. In 1975, she became CEO of the Office of Women in Higher Education in Washington, D.C. during which time she greatly increased the number of Women Presidents of universities in the U.S. and abroad. In 1978 the Dean of Women’s Office was restructured and the Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center was created to carry on her legacy.