From the Director

Ali P. Crown

What does a woman need to know? Does she not, as a self-conscious, self-defining human being, need a knowledge of her own history, her much-politicized biology, an awareness of the creative work of women of the past . . . a knowledge of women’s rebellions and organized movements against our oppression?- Adrienne Rich

Here at Emory we are observing with great glee the tenth anniversary of our Women’s Center. For a decade now we have been celebrating women on this campus and throughout the universe. We are proud of the community of women that we’ve spawned and for whom we provide connection, safe space, and an understanding about our complex lives.

Two of our founding mothers, Dr. Patti Owen-Smith and Dr. Paula Washington, are chairing a committee that is planning all the anniversary events. The drum roll begins on September 30, when a panel of students, faculty, staff, and alumnae will speak about how pivotal the Women’s Center has been in their experience of life at Emory. Those who were here before 1992 will share their perspectives of the before-and-after pictures.

"Wine, Women, and Song" is what we are calling the finale, our gala celebration of women on December 4, 2002. All those attending will be invited to contribute a photo of a woman who has influenced their lives. Perhaps it will be a matriarch, a daughter, or a sister. It might be a foremother or a present-day role model. These women will be projected in hundreds of images on an Amazonian screen as we begin the evening’s festivities. We will celebrate with women’s music by performers soon to be named. And we will honor our founding father former Emory President James T. Laney, whose vision it was to create a place at Emory that would give voice to women’s lives.

Enough said. Turn the pages of our award-winning newsletter. Read the essays and the stories. Let the celebration begin.

 Return to Women's News & Narratives Fall 2002