Who Are We?
Women's and Gender Studies is a field study that empowers students to work across disciplines and investigate how complex cultural, social and political contexts shape race, gender and sexuality. Course offerings include Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies, Feminist Theory, Political Economy of Sexuality, International Women's Issues, Special Topics courses, and a Capstone Project. Graduates have pursued careers in Social Work, Politics, Journalism, Medicine, Academia, Human Resources, Architecture, and Activism.
The Women's Gender Studies Department faced a number of setbacks last year: First, a state law required us to cut our WGS major. We were, however, able to save our department--the physical space in Burkhardt 108--and to continue offering a minor in WGS. Secondly, we have been navigating University-wide budget cuts. This year, we lost our Administrative Assistant but continue to employ a graduate assistant.
Finally, the overarching attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; on feminism and feminist theory; and on social justice and human rights, directly impact our department, field of study, and coursework. We did not publicize our incredible Women's Week events last year, including a keynote address by Pulitzer Prize Winning author, Susan Faludi.
I want our department to be 'out and proud' once again.
But we need your help...
How Can You Support WGS?
You can donate to TWO different funds and directly support the Women's & Gender Studies Department: The Andrea Lauren Scamihorn Memorial Scholarship, and the Women’s Studies Fund.
Andrea Lauren Scamihorn Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2009 by her family, the Andrea Lauren Scamihorn Memorial Scholarship honors the life of the late Andrea Scamihorn. Andrea was the first student to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies from Ball State University and was also the recipient of the 2005 Women’s Studies Outstanding Student Activism Award. Andrea’s activism led her to Santiago, Chile where she became a teacher and an influential leader promoting anti-racism, equal rights, and anti-fascism.
She passed on the day of her scheduled return to Indiana in December of 2008. Since then, the Outstanding Student Activism Award has borne her name. Recipients of this scholarship are nominated by Women’s and Gender Studies faculty. Eligible students must be majoring or minoring in Women's and Gender studies. The recipient’s name is also engraved on a perpetual plaque displayed in the Women's and Gender Studies program office.
The Andrea Lauren Scamihorn Memorial Scholarship is not an endowed fund and depends on ongoing contributions to further its mission. Financial support of this scholarship helps the Women’s and Gender Studies program recognize and encourage outstanding Ball State University students working towards gender, sexual, and racial equality.
The Women’s and Gender Studies Speaker Fund was established in 1987 with the following purposes:
- To pay for guest speaker honoraria and expenses
- To pay for receptions including refreshments for special events such as guest speakers, conferences, etc.
Since the fund’s creation, we have been fortunate to organize a large portion of the feminist-based events and programming on campus! Contributions to the Women’s Studies Fund allow our program staff to continue providing Ball State's campus and the Muncie community with programming all year.
Over its 36-year history, the Women’s Studies Fund has allowed us to bring many well-known feminist speakers to campus. Some names you may recognize are:
Judy Collins (1989), Betty Friedan (1985 & 1991), Wilma Mankiller (1994), Jean Driscoll (1999), Winona LaDuke (2001), Gloria Steinem (2002 & 2019), Ramona Africa (2004), Jaclyn Friedman (2013), Roxane Gay (2016), and Julia Serano (2019).
Clockwise from top left: Jean Driscoll; Julia Serano; Angela Davis; Loretta Ross; Ramona Africa; Gloria SteinemWilma Mankiller
The Women’s Studies Fund allows our program to, most notably, continue our annual Women’s Week programming each March in celebration of Women’s History Month. However, it also gives us the opportunity to support other campus events created by our students and by various campus offices and partners. Your continued support of this fund enables us to organize, support, and promote consistent feminist programming that educates and empowers our community.
