West Chester University, Center for Women and Gender Equity

West Chester University, Center for Women and Gender Equity Since 1974, we have been serving as advocates for gender equity issues in collaboration with the West Chester University of Pennsylvania campus community.

Since 1974, we have been celebrating, honoring, and empowering our campus community. We do this through a diverse range of educational programs, resources, and advocacy for all people. The Center for Women and Gender Equity (CWGE) is a confidential resource where you can report incidents of s*xual misconduct (dating/domestic violence, s*xual assault, stalking, and harassment). We will provide you

the support and resources you need to take your next steps. Our mission is accomplished through:

-Educational programs that address a wide range of social justice issues that affect the success, well-being, and empowerment of women.

-Special events, workshops, and trainings that promote awareness of the ways in which gender bias intersects with racism, classism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression.

-Leadership opportunities that build confidence and provide skills to enhance the personal and professional growth of women. Coordinating campus wide violence prevention initiatives, including programming designed to engage men as allies in violence prevention.

-Building allies and partners-in-movement through programming focused on healthier forms of masculinity and the ways in which gender impacts our everyday lives.

-Confidential support and referrals for students experiencing s*xual misconduct.

-Information and referrals about issues that disproportionately impact women.

-Advocating for systemic changes that support women and historically marginalized groups.

Big Congrats to CWGE Graduate Assistant Emily! Emily has been with CWGE for 2 years and has been an integral part in the...
05/09/2026

Big Congrats to CWGE Graduate Assistant Emily! Emily has been with CWGE for 2 years and has been an integral part in the roll out of our Panhellenic S*xual Violence Prevention program and our It's On Us Housing Outreach project. She is graduating with her masters' in Social Work. We appreciate all you have done for CWGE Emily, you are on to amazing things!

No Gen AI was used in this post.

[A single slide post with a bright purple background. Along the top in sentence case is "Congrats" in light purple, followed by "2026 Graduates " in yellow. Centered on the post is a rounded photo of Emily Myers, a tall white woman standing in front of white flowers. In the background of the photo is the WCU water tower. Behind the photo is a starburst graphic in yellow, white, and light purple. Along the bottom is a sloped banner with "Emily Myers" in all caps dark purple.]

Happy Graduation day to peer educator Alexis! Alexis is graduating with her degree in English and minor in Social Work C...
05/08/2026

Happy Graduation day to peer educator Alexis! Alexis is graduating with her degree in English and minor in Social Work Concepts and has been a peer educator with CWGE for 3 years and has been an essential member of our team. She has hosted our Book Club for two years and led insightful discussions and created a book loving community! Your work has been such a bright spot at CWGE Alexis! Congratulations on your graduation!

No Gen AI was used in this post.

[A single slide post with a bright purple background. Along the top in sentence case is "Congrats" in light purple, followed by "2026 Graduates " in yellow. Centered on the post is a rounded photo of Alexis Stakem, a femme person with shoulder length brown hair in a red dress. In the background of the photo is the WCU water tower. Behind the photo is a starburst graphic in yellow, white, and light purple. Along the bottom is a sloped banner with "Alexis Stakem" in all caps dark purple.]

Let's have a big round of applause for our parenting students! We celebrated our scholarship and mini-grant recipient's ...
05/05/2026

Let's have a big round of applause for our parenting students! We celebrated our scholarship and mini-grant recipient's alongside our 2026 graduates at this year's Parenting Student Graduation on April 25th. It was an afternoon of kid-friendly food, a silly photobooth, photos with Rammy and celebrating success! This ceremony is always so special because not only do our parenting students receive special cords but they get to choose who cords them! And most importantly, we get to celebrate the huge accomplishment they have achieved!

[Image Description:

Good Luck on final exams! The Center for Women and Gender Equity is wishing you luck on all your finals! Finish strong a...
05/01/2026

Good Luck on final exams! The Center for Women and Gender Equity is wishing you luck on all your finals! Finish strong and go Rams!

[Image Description: A single slide post with a gradient sky blue background. In the upper right and lower left are white galaxy details. There are 2 sets of 2 concentric white ovals centered on the post. Three sets of curved hand written "Good Luck" in all caps white are stacked above the first set of circles. And below is text included in the caption wishing luck on finals. To the right of good luck is a space ship taking off. In the bottom right is the purple CWGE logo modeled to look like a planet.]

The reality TV show Survivor has gained new traction with the release of its 50th season. Returning castaways compete fo...
04/28/2026

The reality TV show Survivor has gained new traction with the release of its 50th season. Returning castaways compete for a million dollars in one of the most historic seasons yet. The show has made many callbacks to iconic moments and impactful players. This invites audience members to reflect on the show and the dynamics it displays. This post addresses how gender influences social gameplay and alliances.

Gen AI was not used in the making of this post.

[Image Description: A 6-slide post. Each slide has a beige background with brown, fine-line leaves and vines randomly placed on each slide. All text on the slide is black.

Slide 1 is a title slide. “Women’s Alliances in Survivor” is centered at the top of the page. Below is a cut-out image of 4 members of the “Black Widow Brigade.” Natalie Bolton, Parvati Shallow, Cirie Fields, and Amanda Kimmel, sitting left to right.

Slide 2 has a header which reads “What is Survivor,” followed by a short paragraph describing the show. Below that is another header which reads “Alliances,” followed by a short paragraph on what they are.

Slide 3 describes the first characterization of women’s alliances. At the top of the slide is thin lettering which reads “type 1.” Below that in bold lettering is “The Threat.” Below that is a paragraph describing this characterization of women’s alliances and how it relates to society.

Slide 4 describes the first characterization of women’s alliances. At the top of the slide is thin lettering which reads “type 2.” Below that in bold lettering is “Loose Cannons.” Below that is a paragraph describing this characterization of women’s alliances and how it relates to society.

Slide 5 has a header which reads “Men’s Alliances.” Below that is a small paragraph on how men’s alliances are characterized differently. At the bottom of the slide are cut-out images of season 50 contestants Colby Donaldson, Joe Hunter, and Benjamin “Coach” Wade in that order.

Slide 6 has a header which reads “Why does it matter,” and is followed by a paragraph on why these dynamics should be discussed.]

We are hosting a Community Care Night that will be occurring alongside of the Take Back the Night March and speak out. T...
04/20/2026

We are hosting a Community Care Night that will be occurring alongside of the Take Back the Night March and speak out. To offer an alternative space and meet the various needs of healing, this space will not include disclosures of harm. During this event, we will be in community with one another and have two craft projects available: air dry clay crafts and felt prize ribbons!

Where: Club 1871 (SECC), past Freshens and near the SECC’s Ballrooms
When: April 22nd, 2026. 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

[Image Description: A one-slide post with a light cream background. Various scrapbooking pages in shades of purple and blue cover the background. At the top of the post, “Community Care Night” is written in a light blue font. Below that and to the left, there is text asking people to come be in community with one another and describes the craft options detailed in caption. Next to that text, there is turquoise star cutout that contains the date, time, and locations of the event, which is also detailed in the caption. At the bottom of the slide, there are two other graphics. One of a green ribbon with “CW&GE” written in purple text, and next to that is a small pot. To the right of a carabiner, there is blue text which reads, “Take Back the Night Alternative Event.”]

Next Week!!! CWGE will be hosting an annual Take Back the Night Event on the 22nd of April on the Academic Quad beginnin...
04/15/2026

Next Week!!! CWGE will be hosting an annual Take Back the Night Event on the 22nd of April on the Academic Quad beginning at 4:00PM. See below for additional details!

Date: April 22nd, 2026
Location: The Academic Quad & Philips Autograph Library
Time: Resource Fair @4:00PM
March @5:00PM
Opening @5:30PM
Speak Out @6:00PM

Information:
4:00PM Resource Fair:
Campus Partners
- Community Mental Health
- Counseling Center & therapy dogs
- Equal Opportunity and Compliance
- Wellness Promotion
- CTQA

RSOs
- It's On Us club
- Planned Parenthood Gen Action
- social work club

Community Partners
- Crime Victims Center of Chester County

5:00PM March: The march route is approx. half a mile. Please wear shoes that are comfortable for you!
5:30PM Opening Statements: Opening statements will begin our Speak Out portion of the night by discussing s*xual harm prevention.
6:00PM Speak Out: This is when attendees are invited to share their experiences with s*xual harm. This is a potentially activating portion of the event, please prioritize taking care of yourself.

March Route
Starting Point: Corner of University Avenue and High Street.
Ending Point: Phillips Library

*Content Warning:
Please note that this portion of take back the night will include signs and chants related to s*xual violence, which may be activating. We welcome participants to engage with this event however feels best to you and your healing journey.
Please note that this portion of take back the night will include signs and chants related to s*xual violence, which may be activating. We welcome participants to engage with this event however feels best to you and your healing journey.

[Image Description: A 3 slide post. Slide 1 has a light gray background with a teal vintage picture of Take Back the Night. The title is stacked above and below in all caps. Time, location and date details are in the bottom right. The CWGE logo is on the bottom left. Slide 2 has a teal background and contains a large table centered. Details of the table are included in the caption. Slide 3 has a light gray background and a map of the march center right. Details are included in the caption.

Join the Department of Health and the Center for Women and Gender Equity for a Black Maternal Health Week Panel On Tuesd...
04/09/2026

Join the Department of Health and the Center for Women and Gender Equity for a Black Maternal Health Week Panel On Tuesday April 14th.

Time: 11:00AM-12:30PM
Location: Sykes Ballroom A&B

Panelists include community leaders, doulas, and other experts. Facilitated by students, bring your questions, get inspired to take action & enjoy brunch!

[Image Description: A single slide post with a darker cream background. Along the header is "The Department of Health & Center for Women and Gender Equity". This is stacked above black sentence case text shadowed over green reading "Black Maternal Health Week Panel". On the left, right and below "Panel" are red, yellow, and green line details respectively. Below the green line are details of the date, location, and time, as well as information about the panelists that are included in the caption. Along the footer on the left is "Register on Ramconnect" stacked above a QR code lined in red to the left of the url bit.ly/WCUBMHW26. In the bottom right corner is a line drawing of a plant sprouting from the ground with it's roots showing.]
WCUBMHW26

Clothesline Project - SAAM 2026When & Where4.16.202610AMAcademic QuadWhat can you do?Create a shirt with a supportive me...
04/09/2026

Clothesline Project - SAAM 2026

When & Where
4.16.2026
10AM
Academic Quad

What can you do?
Create a shirt with a supportive message or anonymous, undetailed aspects of your experience of harm

Resources Day Of: the Crime victim’s Center of Chester County, WCU’s It’s On Us Club, CWGE staff, & therapy dogs will be available!

The Clothesline Project gives people who have experienced harm a way to process through art, visuals, and healing messages. Join us in showing support by decorating a shirt!

Content Notes: We recognize some may be activated by messages related to experiences of harm, and we ask you to engage however feels best to you and your journey. To offer alternative forms of support and agency, directional signs will be posted around the university so people can avoid the display if they so choose.

[ID: A 3 slide post. All have a light cyan background with black stars scattered on the slide. Slide 1 has a yellow wavy text box outlined in light blue, light green, and teal. Inside the text box is “Clothesline Project” and “SAAM” in curved black text. Under is text reading “hosted by” in black. Below are four lavender T-shirts hung on a black clothesline that together read “CWGE,” each letter in white text outlined in teal. Below are lines of black text. Underneath is an abstract text box with the same coloring as the one above with black text. The CWGE logo in purple is in the upper right corner. Additionally, for those viewing the display, shirts with messages of hope and support will be hung outward-facing on the fence, and experiences of harm will face inward.

Slide 2 contains the same style text box as the first. Underneath is a lavender oval containing black text. Below is a large abstract text box with the same coloring. This contains black text. Below is a smaller teal oval. Under the oval is black text.

Slide 3 contains the same style of text box as the first. Underneath is a lavender oval containing black text. Below is a large abstract text box with the same coloring as the top, containing black text. Each paragraph is separated by a teal oval.

All details included on the slides are included in the same relevant order.]

Comprehensive s*x ed is part of violence prevention! Join us for Relationship Jeopardy and other games on Wednesday 4/8 ...
04/03/2026

Comprehensive s*x ed is part of violence prevention! Join us for Relationship Jeopardy and other games on Wednesday 4/8 from 7-9 PM in the Sykes Ballrooms. Whether you're testing your knowledge or learning something new, there will be opportunities to win prizes at this S*xual Assault Awareness Month event.

Open to all current WCU students.

[Image Description: A single slide post with a light cyan background. Along the top third is a marquee style sign with "SAAM & S*x Education" in all caps black bold text. Centered on the post is a rounded yellow rectangle outlined in black. In all caps black in the rectangle are details included in the caption. Overlayed, below to the right is a sticker with a black outline and light cyan text that states "win prizes!" Along the footer is "S*xual Assault Awareness Month 2026" below the CWGE and It's On Us logos. Scattered around the post are black sparkles.]

April is S*xual Assault Awareness Month! This is a month of awareness and education about s*xual violence and it’s impac...
04/01/2026

April is S*xual Assault Awareness Month! This is a month of awareness and education about s*xual violence and it’s impacts on our communities. We hope you join us in honoring and supporting those who have experienced harm at our events this month!

April 2nd
SAAM Tabling Event & Craft
Sykes TV Lounge 10:30AM-12PM

April 6th
IOU Club Meeting and Denim Day Painting
Sykes 210 at 5:00PM
Join It’s On Us Club for a meeting and Denim Day activity! Visit for details!

April 7th
PA It's On Us Convening
Social Media Takeover by CW&GE Graduate Assistant at the PA It’s On Us Convening! Some of the CW&GE team will be presenting work done under the IOU grant.

April 8th
SAAM & S*x Education
Sykes Ballrooms 7:00PM-9:00PM
Join CWGE for a night of s*x ed! Comprehensive s*x ed is part of violence prevention! We’ll play Relationship Jeopardy and other activities.

April 16th
Academic Quad 10:00AM-
Clothesline Project will be on the Academic Quad 10:00AM-. Join us in support for those who have experienced harm by decorating a shirt. Some of this may be activating.

April 22nd
Take Back the Night
Our annual Take Back The Night Resource Fair, Speak Out, and March will take place on the Academic Quad starting at 4:00PM. Our campus community will have the opportunity to share experiences of harm or words of support. Some of this may be activating.

[Image Description: A 2 slide post. Both have a light blue background. Colors used are pale.

On the 1st, a calendar is centered. Days of the week in teal boxes are along the top. The days are listed in white, the 2nd in blue, the 6th, 7th, and 8th in yellow, the 16th in green, and 22nd in purple. Above is "April 2026" and "S*xual Assault Awareness Month". Under, in a teal box, is a description of SAAM.

The 2nd includes a description of the events from the 1st. The dates are centered on the left and the name and description on the right. The 1st square and rectangle is teal and marks the first event. The 6th, 7th, and 8th, and descriptions are in yellow. The 16th and description are in green and the 22nd in purple. Above reads "April 2026" and "S*xual Assault Awareness Month" with "The Center for Women & Gender Equity."]

Address

214 Lawrence Hall
West Chester, PA
19383

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

(610) 436-2122

Website

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