Happenings, Events, and More
Center for Women and Community organizes, sponsors, and co-sponsors a wide variety of events for the Five-College community, typically during the academic year.
For information on all CWC events call 413-545-0883
Spring 2013
May Study Break-Social Hour
May 1st, 2013
12pm - 2 PM
127 New Africa House
Take a break form studying and join the Women of Color Leadership Network for May Social Hour. Come de-stress and relax from your busy schedules, or simply come to say Hello! Stop by between classes for some conversation and a slice of pizza. All are welcome!
Laura X: International Advocate Against Marital Rape & Sexual Assault
May 16, 2013
6:30 pm -8:30 pm
Reading Room, 2nd floor New Africa House
Event Cosponsor: Safe Passage
Laura X will discuss her work advocating for the rights of women and against marital rape and all forms of sexual violence. A panel discussion, including Becky Lockwood, Associate Director of the Center for Women & Community, and Marianne Winters, Executive Director of Safe Passage will focus on current legal and societal strategies to address "rape culture."
Laura X is a human rights activist. She is the founder and Director of the National Clearinghouse on Marital and Date Rape, in Berkeley, California which began in 1978. The mission of the Clearinghouse is to make intimate relationships truly egalitarian. At the time the Clearinghouse was founded only five US states had outlawed marital rape. Laura X directed the successful 1979 California campaign to make marital rape a crime. She has since acted as a consultant to numerous other state and international campaigns against marital rape.
Healthy Relationships with Families and Friends
Monday through the end of May, 2013
Easthampton High School
Open to (Audience): EHS 11th grade girls
In collaboration with the guidance counselors at Easthampton High School, five 11th-grade girls meet weekly with CWC facilitator, Nina Brand, to talk about how to have healthy relationships with peers and family members.
Healthy Relationships with Families and Friends
Monday through the end of May, 2013
White Brook Middle School
Open to (Audience): White Brook 8th-grade girls
In collaboration with the guidance counselors at White Brook Middle School, five 8th-grade girls meet weekly with CWC facilitators, Nina Brand & Alex Prager, to talk about how to have healthy relationships with peers and family members.
Healthy Relationships
4th Wednesday of each month through May, 2013
PATHWAYS in Florence, MA
Open to (Audience): PATHWAYS teens
In a suppportive setting, this group provides the teens at Pathways the opportunity to explore how to have healthy relationships.
CWC Provides on-site support to Amherst College students
ongoing beginning in Jan 2013 - May 2013
CWC is providing on site support for Amherst College students and staff who have experienced sexual or relationship violence. For the spring semester, CWC is collaborating with Amherst College to provide outreach, education and rape crisis services on campus. A CWC Crisis Intervention Specialist has been meeting with Student Affairs staff, Coaches and Athletic staff and students working in Residential Life to provide information and education regarding CWC Rape Crisis Services.
What Do Advocates Need to Know?
Friday, June 7, 2013
10 am to 4 pm
Open To (audience): Advocates
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Wellesley Massachusetts
Co-sponsors: MA Jane Doe Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
This all day training will feature an information packed workshop by the Victim Rights Law Center (victimrights.org) focusing on advocacy under Title IX, a panel presentation about the ways in which sexual assault and domestic violence programs work with campuses in their communities and an interactive discussion about the work of the Massachusetts Higher Education Working Group on Campus Sexual and Domestic Violence reporting to the Governor's Council to Address Sexual and Domestic Violence. Becky Lockwood, CWC Associate Director of Counseling & Rape Crisis Services will be featured on the panel and help facilitate the discussion Re: the Massachusetts Higher Ed Working Group. Ms. Lockwood Co-Chairs the Working Group.
Past Events
Just Say KNOW!!! A Panel Discussion of Teen Sexuality
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013, 7:00-8:30 PM
Jones Library, Amherst, MA (Amherst Room)
Open To (audience): Public
This is a panel discussion on raising sexually healthy teens in the Pioneer Valley. Panelists include teens, parents and area counselors.
Sexual Health Forum Flyer
Consent is Sexy
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013, 6:30-8:00 PM
Gorman Hall UMass
Open to (Audience): UMass First-Year Students
Consent is Sexy will explore consent: what it looks like, why it is important, and how to get it. This workshop will define and address the complexities of consent as well as work with participants on communicating with their partner’s ways of giving and receiving informed consent.
Visionary Voice Award Presented to Becky Lockwood
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013, 2:15-3:45 PM
Reading Room, 2nd floor New Africa House
Open to (Audience):Public
Join us for this celebration.
Becky Lockwood, Associate Director of the Center for Women and Community, was chosen as one of 23 recipients nationwide by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center to receive the 2013 Visionary Voice Award.
There will be a reception plus a brief speaking program including: Representative Ellen Story and colleagues from the CWC.
Jane Doe Inc. nominated Becky for this award because she is a respected and recognized leader in the area of sexual violence intervention and prevention among her peers, in her community, and across the state. She is known as a risk taker – always looking for new opportunities to support survivors and prevent violence and being an advocate for marginalized communities. Her success has been in her ability to implement innovative support and prevention programs and establish relationships with key university, community, state and national stakeholders. Read our nomination and be inspired as you learn about her commitment to this work!
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) offers the Visionary Voice award, in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) each April, to recognize the creativity and hard work of individuals around the country who have demonstrated outstanding work to end sexual violence. Each year, state, territory, and tribal coalitions select an outstanding individual to nominate for the awards. Nominees may be partners from a local community or other outstanding individuals that have worked to end sexual violence.
We are thrilled that they recognized the incredible leadership of Becky Lockwood!
National Sexual Violence Resource Center Visionary Voice Awards: 2013: http://www.nsvrc.org/saam/award
Please RSVP
Child Sexual Abuse Healthy Families
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013, 9:00-10:30 AM
Northhampton
Open to (Audience):Public
This workshop will allow participants to explore strategies to protect children and teens from sexual abuse. Participants will explore the ways in which our current cultural climate supports child sexual abuse, and discourages victims from coming forward. Participants will discuss what constitutes child sexual abuse, who perpetrates abuse, warning signs that a child is being abused, and warning signs of potential perpetrators. Presenters will also teach different strategies for supporting the healthy sexual development of children and teens.
Sexual Harrassment, Craft Center
Monday, April 22nd, 2013, 5:15-8:00 PM
Craft Center (Student Union UMass)
Open to (Audience):Craft Center Staff
Educators from the Center for Women and Community will be presenting a workshop that helps participants to define sexual harassment and understand the resources available to them.
Bystander Intervention
Monday, April 22nd, 2013, 6:30-7:30 PM
Webster Hall UMass
Open to (Audience): Public
Standing Up or Standing By will teach participants what they can do to prevent sexual violence in our community. This workshop will challenge participants to think about violence prevention as a cultural and environmental change, rather than risk reduction. Participants will discuss the multiple ways to confront sexual violence that are both safe and healthy. By the end of this workshop participants will begin to understand how they can be agents of social change.
Spoken Word Night
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013, 7.30 PM
Shirley Du Bois Library (2nd Floor New Africa House- Room 203)
Open to (Audience):Public
An opportunity to speak your truth in a creative, diverse, vibrant, and welcoming environment.
All are invited to perform either original spoken word pieces and poetry or from the works of your favorite artists/authors in relation to power, liberation, oppression, cultural and social identities, resistance, solidarity, and other social justice topics.
Refreshments will be served.
Free, open to all and wheelchair accessible.
SGA Safety Fair
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013, 10:00AM-2:00PM
Cape Cod Lounge
Open to (Audience):Public
Representatives from the Center for Women and Community (CWC) will be on site to give information at the Student Government Association Safety Fair about the services that the CWC provides, answer questions, engage students in an interactive Bystander Intervention Activity, and provide students with information about volunteer opportunities.
The Clothesline Project
Thursday April 25th, 2013 (Rain Date May 2), 12:00-4:00 PM
Machmer Lawn UMass
Open To (mention audience): Public
This April 25th (rain date May 2), from 12:00-4:00 PM the Center for Women and Community will be displaying the Five College Clothesline Project on the Machmer lawn at UMass Amherst. The Clothesline Project is a visual display of hundreds of t-shirts made by survivors of relationship, sexual, and gender-based violence as well as their friends and families. The t-shirts provide those affected by violence with an outlet to express their emotions, hopes, fears, and dreams. They also serve to raise awareness on these issues, demonstrate the widespread affect violence has on multiple members of our communities, and show our support to survivors and their loved ones.
Stand Against Racism
Friday, April 26th, 2013, 1:00-6:00 PM
Wilder Hall, UMass Amherst
Open to (Audience):Public
Join us as we unite with the national movement of the YWCA for the second year to stand against racism.The event will include film screening, panel discussions, media gallery and entertainment to educate on the ramifications of racism in health and the integration of society.
Here’s how you can join in this movement:
• Joining our Stand Against Racism campaign through pinterest. We will be taking pictures at the UMass Campus Center concourse from Tuesday, April 16 to Thursday, April 25 from 9:00am-2:00pm of individuals that want to share why they stand against racism.To view the collection visit: http://pinterest.com/cmassumass/umass-stand-against-racism/
• Completing the statement “I stand against racism because …” and tweet it to #StandAgainstRacism
• Posting the Stand Against Racism Pledge in your department or office on Friday, April 26, 2013
Pledge (Stand Against Racism)
•If you are teaching a class, please encourage your students to attend and consider offering extra credit to those that do.
Higher Education Committee to Address Sexual and Domestic Violence on College Campuses
April 12th, 2013; March 1st, 2013; December 12th, 2012; November 5th, 2012
Open to (Audience):Public
Lt. Governor Murray charged the State Prevention Team with reconvening a campus working group as an advisory group to the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual and Domestic Violence that would generate specific recommendations and actions to improve how MA campuses address sexual and domestic violence. This group was convened in summer 2012, and is currently co-chaired by Peggy Barrett (Boston Area Rape Crisis Center) and Becky Lockwood (UMass/Center for Women and Community). Additional members include: staff and faculty from public and private MA colleges/universities; rape crisis staff experienced with working on college campuses; staff from the Jane Doe Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence; staff from the Victim Rights Law Center; Sheridan Haines, Director of the MA Governor’s Commission to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
Gender Studies Class Presentation
Tuesday, April 9th, 2013, 2:30-3:30 PM
25 Machmer UMass
Open to (Audience):Students Enrolled in Class
Presenters from the Center for Women & Community will be presenting a workshop about the dynamics of relationship violence.
Bystander Intervention: Sigma Psi Zeta
Monday, April 8th, 2013, 7:00-8:00 PM
New Africa House 2nd Floor Reading Room
Open to (Audience):members of Sigma Psi Zeta
In this closed workshop, educators from the Center for Women and Community will teach participants what they can do to prevent sexual violence in their community. This workshop challenges participants to think about violence prevention as a cultural and environmental change, rather than risk reduction. Participants will discuss the multiple ways to confront sexual violence that are both safe and healthy. By the end of this workshop participants will begin to understand how they can be agents of social change.
BSU Real Talk: Sexual Liberation of Women
Thursday, April 4th, 2013, 7:00PM-9:00PM
Malclom X Center
Open To (mention audience): Public
Join the Center for Women and Community & the UMass Black Student Union for a “Real Talk” aimed at discussing the Sexual Liberation of Women. Questions for discussion will include: How do you view sex as it relates to women? At what point does one become a "hoe"? Is there an equivalent negative reputation placed upon sexually active men?
UMass Amherst, Selective With Campus Notifications
Thursday, April 4th, 2013
Open to (Audience):Public
Blog post by UMASS journalism student on the campus' response to sexual assault.
Blog Post
Social Hour
April 3rd, 2013, 12:00-2:00 PM
127 New Africa House
Open To (mention audience): Public
Join the Women of Color Leadership Network for April Social Hour. Take a break and come meet our staff, connect with women of color, network and relax from your busy schedule, or simply come to say Hello! Stop by between classes or stay for longer conversations. All are welcome, and light snacks will be served.
CWC Rape Crisis Services Information Session
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013, 9:15-10:00 AM
Smith College Health Services, Mason Hall
Open to (Audience):Public
CWC provided resources and information about our Rape Crisis Services Program to staff at Smith College Health Services.
