This lunchtime feminist discussion series provides an engaging space for students, faculty and staff to hear and apply feminist analysis to a variety of topics, including women's health and sexuality, humanitarianism and equity. Campus and community partners who are experts on the weekly discussion topics will guide our lively and interesting conversations.

Fall discussions take place Tuesday's in the Women's Center lower lounge at 12 pm (noon). Lunch is provided for those who RSVP, so bring your appetite along with your whip-smart critiques. 

Check us out on Twitter or Facebook for the weekly topic.

Preparing Women for Work, Politics and More

The Pipeline brings innovative speakers, workshops and training to prepare undergraduate women for the realities of work, politics and public life, particularly in areas where women are traditionally underrepresented. The program transforms the political and social landscape by providing women with the necessary tools to enter, stay and thrive in the public realm.

Elect Her teaches students about the issues involved in putting together a winning campaign and are encouraged to run for office, work on a campaign or become civically involved in other ways.

The OpEd Project teaches women how to use the tools of powerful argument to compose op-eds, and thereby inspire and cultivate a sense of thought leadership and encourage students to see their potential impact on the world.

$alary $mart is a hands-on workshop to give women the knowledge and tools to negotiate fair and realistic salaries and benefits in today's market.

For more information, contact womenctr@duke.edu or call 684-3897.

Don't Stand By, Stand UP!

PACT is an interactive, student-facilitated training sponsored by the Women's Center that aims to engage everyone in preventing gender violence on Duke's campus. Participants learn simple behaviors and strategies that they can use to combat sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and relationship violence.

Adapted from a curriculum developed at the University of New Hampshire, PACT's goal is to reduce the incidence of sexual and relationship violence on campus by training participants to intervene in safe and creative ways, rather than standing aside as a passive bystander. The 5-hour interactive training is lead by peer facilitators, who present Duke-specific scenarios, lead discussions, and help participants develop strategies for identifying and minimizing risk, as well as responding compassionately to victims/survivors of gender violence.

"So this is a call for each of you to remember herself and himself, to reach for new definitions of that self, and to live intensely. To not settle for the safety of pretended sameness and the false security that sameness seems to offer. To feel the consequences of who you wish to be, lest you bring nothing of lasting worth because you have withheld some piece of the essential, which is you."

~ Audre Lorde, 'Difference and Survival'

Embrace is an intimate gathering of student women of color interested in exploring and challenging their understanding of themselves and other women of color, in all our wonderful, complicated and sometimes frustrating diversity. The group will explore the myriad layers of exploitation and oppression in our lives, draw strength from our shared struggle, present feminist and womanist studies as a language for exploring experiences, develop a space of support and mentorship, and encourage holistic and authentic understanding of women's wellness.

This group is offered through collaboration with the Women's Center, Duke Student Wellness Center (DuWell), and Center for Multicultural Affairs.

The Women’s Collective is a unique, informal, and safe space to discuss our experiences as women at Duke, and collaborate to respond to gender inequities at deeper levels on campus. All women are welcome, regardless of affiliation, to share, listen, commiserate, and/or take action! New members are always welcome as the group is fluid and discussion reflects the concerns of that week’s attendees.

The Women's Collective meets weekly in the Women's Center. Please email womenctr@duke.edu for more information.

"Activism is my rent for living on this planet." ~ Alice Walker

FEMCAMP builds leadership skills and tools for social justice activism. In the fall, FEMCAMP offers an intensive weekend retreat with experiential skill building and an opportunity to connect with other students activists. In the spring, FEMCAMP provides a series of workshops that build confidence, facilitate awareness, and equip students for leading social change. We are recruiting students interested and engaged in leading social change. In this program students will:

• develop an understanding of change processes
• think critically about obstacles to change
• learn how to engage in controversy with civility
• develop organization and mobilization competencies for campus activism.

The annual Founder's Lectures brings activist scholars to the campus to address contemporary gender issues. Every year, the Women's Center invites a renowned feminist activist to campus for a stimulating lecture that is sure to challenge and enlight all of us. Be inspired by national and international activists! 

Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell
Join us for a talk (accompanied by Q & A) followed by a Community Sing with Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell.  Dr. Barnwell appears as a vocalist and/or instrumentalist on more than thirty recordings with Sweet Honey In The Rock and other artists.  She has, for the past thirty years spent much of her time off stage working as a master teacher and choral clinician in African American cultural performance. Her workshop “Building a Vocal Community®: Singing in the African American Tradition” has during the past twenty-five years, been conducted on three continents, making her work in the field a significant source of inspiration for both singers and non-singers, a model of pedagogy for educators, and cultural activists and historians.

Date: April 18, 2013

Talk with Q&A to be held in Westbrook 0014 from 4:30PM - 6:00PM

*Refreshments from 6:15PM to 6:45PM

Community Sing to be held in Goodson Chapel (Divinity School) at 7:00PM

Dr. Barnwell will have products available for purchase at both events!

For more information, contact Kim McCrae at kmac@duke.edu.

The Moxie Project is a selective program for undergraduates that combines rigorous curricular, co-curricular and applied learning experiences to explore women’s leadership, public policy and social change. During an eight-week NYC summer internship sponsored by DukeEngage, students explore the contemporary and historical issues that surround women’s activism and test the ways in which policy and practice align or undermine efforts for gender equity. Spunk, daring, courage, nerve, guts, backbone. MOXIE!

Partner Organizations in New York City have included: The Third Wave Foundation; Hollaback!; Legal Momentum; Sanctuary for Families; Ms. Foundation, and; Sadie Nash Leadership Project. Other past sponsors have included: Non-traditional Employment for Women (NEW) & NYC District Council of Carpenters Women’s Committee; The Lower Eastside Girls Club; and, The Brooklyn Young Mothers Collective.

Applications due in early January through DukeEngage. Follow the Women's Center on Twitter for updates.

"To change one's life: Start Immediately. Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions." -- William James

Project Change introduces incoming first-year students to ethical leadership and social change through this intense eight-day pre-orientation program. Twenty-one students spend eight fast-paced days taking risks, making mistakes, and meeting challenges in the heart of Durham. They join a diverse team of student leaders, faculty, staff, and community partners to experience an adventure of a lifetime—to change the lives of complete strangers in creative and dramatic ways.

Lead Change. Be Changed.

Exploring Immigration & Gender: Just 5 days and your world will change…

Issues around immigration are all over the news these days. But what about women- how do they experience immigration? What are the narratives of struggle and strength of women in immigrant communities? How do those experiences connect to women students at Duke?

Through family home-stays, participation in a local women's conference, and volunteering at a community-based organization, learn first hand from the experiences of young women in low-income, immigrant, and farmwork communities in Apopka, Florida. The experience guarantees to expand your knowledge about immigrant communities and challenge you to think of service-learning and social change in a new way.

Develle Dish is a blog for women-identified Duke students that seeks to progress conversations on women's experiences at Duke and elevate the visibility of women's contributions to the University. This online community welcomes all voices, feminist or not, to contribute personal experiences and opinions related to gender, sexuality, equity, and social justice.

If you're interested in contributing to the blog as an assistant editor, staff writer, or one-time submitter, visit the blog at develledish.com.

The Women's Center is committed to the prevention and intervention of gender violence on campus.  We provide a variety of education and awareness programs. Faculty, staff, students and student groups may request educational programs and trainings on a variety of topics, including: