The Center's History
The Sarah Isom Center for Women was established at The University
of Mississippi in 1981 to address the changing roles and expectations
of women students, faculty, and staff. The University has provided
educational opportunities for women longer than any other state
university in the South. When UM opened its doors to women in 1882,
eleven women registered for classes. Today, women constitute half
the student body.
The Center's Present
The Sarah Isom Center performs both academic and service functions.
It is dedicated to promoting research and scholarship about women
and gender by developing a multidisciplinary program of
study that will help students appreciate the special concerns,
contributions, and perspectives of women. These studies
include an analysis of how gender intersects with other social
categories, such as race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation,
age, nationality, and ability. The Center coordinates the minor
in gender studies.
The Sarah Isom Center also expresses its commitment to gender and
women's studies by reaching out to the community through a variety
of programs and services.
These range from a faculty affiliate retreat and authors’ evening at Off-Square Books to a brownbag lecture series, and the Lucy Somerville Howorth Lecture in Women’s Studies. The Center also sponsors the annual Isom Student Gender Conference and Women’s History and Sexual Assault Awareness Months. Please see “Events” on this web site for details. Located in 203 Paul B. Johnson
Commons (near the ballroom), the Center offers students, faculty,
staff, and visitors a gathering place, as well as an atmosphere of
mutual encouragement and support for women of all ages and backgrounds
and for organizations concerned with gender issues.
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