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My Last Letter to the Women’s Center: Thank You for Everything!!

I can’t believe the semester is ending–time has flown by so fast!

Anybody who knows me IRL can speak to the fact that I’m a little awkward. I fumble over my words, I stutter,  I lose my train of thought. Because I’m not always in my element speaking, writing has always been where I thrive. I can say what I mean when I write. Writing for UMKC’s Women’s Center has given me the chance to voice my opinion and discuss important feminist topics I can’t articulate as well in person, and I’m so grateful for that. Obviously, this blog isn’t just a soapbox for me–it’s a platform for our whole staff. I like the think of the blog as a sort of graffiti wall for the Women’s Center. Everyone who makes a blog post leaves a mark on the wall writing that they were here, and we have posts going back almost a decade on here. By scrolling through our blog, you can get a glimpse into years of programming, events, memories, and achievements of the Women’s Center. I truly believe our blog is special for that, and I feel blessed to have contributed to it, even though my role was smaller this semester.

One thing I’m incredibly grateful is that this semester, I was able to learn so much more! I was able to help with programming, proposals, and even plan my own event–things I never had time for in the spring semester.  It wasn’t perfect, but I’m proud I was able to put together an event that people actually came to! Basically, my event was a discussion called “Barbie to Buffy: Fictional Characters Who Inspire Us”, where we discussed our favorite female characters, how they’ve shaped our childhood and adult lives, and what constitutes a strong female character.

I’ve also gotten to know our amazing staff this semester. They’re all amazing, motivated, and welcoming people, who I’ll miss dearly! Thank you guys for making this semester so special and fun.  I’m also really grateful towards Arzie, our director. She’s been there to help brainstorm with me,  give feedback, and work with me every step of the way during my internship. I’ve learned so much about feminism, leadership, and keeping a consistent work ethic thanks to her.

As I look to the future, I’m excited, nervous, and a little bit sad. It’ll be hard saying goodbye to this place, and it’ll be weird coming to school next semester and no longer thinking about our next event, what blog post I’ll do next, or what my friends are up to in the center. Moving forward, I want to continue to give my time to organizations and causes that support women’s equity.

I will probably always be a killjoy feminist, and proud of it!

Thanks for everything,

Emma <3

 

Goodbye, Women’s Center!

By: Anel Sandoval

As an intern who didn’t know any of the staff before starting, I was very nervous about what to expect this semester. I was surprised to find out that I would meet some of the best people I’ve ever worked with. I felt so welcomed and that it was exactly where I was meant to be. I am so thankful to have spent my last semester interning at the Women’s Center, expanding my knowledge on gender equity, and learning new skills that I will carry with me in my future career.

The Women’s Center is a safe place where I was able to express my feelings without any judgement. I’m going to miss the staff so much. I am thankful they understood my sarcastic humor and tolerated my obnoxious laugh – because they made me laugh a lot! I’ll miss discussing the movies we recently watched with Arzie. I will miss discussing our favorite childhood Barbie movies with Emma. I will miss talking about Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, and Tik-Toks with Anabelle. I will miss my “mom”, AKA, our wonderful grad assistant Alison, who we went to for help, to vent, and to laugh with.

I will miss Crystal who has been my other half this semester as we are in the same journey as we complete our last semester at UMKC as health sciences majors. I couldn’t do it without her! Name a better duo, I’ll wait. Last, but not least, I will miss Chelsea, who is the perfect new fit to the Women’s Center as the new Sr. Program Coordinator.

For those who are joining the Women’s Center’s staff in upcoming semesters, just know you are in good hands. Good luck to everyone!

They Mean Business Interview Highlights

By:  Alison Kendall, Emma Sauer

You might not expect it, but Kansas City is a small business hot-spot.  42% of small businesses are woman-owned, and that number is expected to only rise in the future. Check out these highlights from our earlier social media campaign, “They Mean Business”, by our stellar grad student, Alison! These highlights only feature a few of the amazing business-owners interviewed.  To see each post, check out our Instagram. 

Olivia & Madison, Amity & Vine Salon Home | Amity and Vine 

Amity and Vine (located at 1501 St in the West Bottoms) is a salon that promotes inclusivity, realistic beauty ideals, and acceptance for all.

Q: What was the key driving force to starting Amity and Vine? 

The driving forces behind Amity & Vine is accessibility and inclusivity. We want a space where our clients can afford basic hair care services and products as well as enjoying a comfortable and accepting environment where they can relax. Getting a simple haircut or a complete transformations shouldn’t be stressful, and we want to cultivate that experience for our clients.

Q: What are some challenges you face while running your business?

The main challenge we face with owning a small business would have to be the learning curve. Of course the costs and marketing were difficult too; but without the specific knowledge and background in finances and entrepreneurship, we have to learn as we go and reach out for help in those areas every now and then.

Q: What piece of advice would you give to college students and recent graduates who are interested in entrepreneurship?

Our advice for recent graduates and college students interested in entrepreneurship would be that it is normal to go through failures. As corny as that sounds, falling short in certain aspects of your business allows you to understand when to ask for help from those around you. As well as recognizing when to ask for help, always network and meet the other small businesses in your area because being a part of the community will be such an amazing tool for your business’ success.

 

Cori Smith, Blk+Brwn Bookstore 

BLK and BRWN is a bookstore that amplifies the works of POC authors and storytelling.

Q: What was the key driving force to starting BLK and BRWN?

. The biggest driving forces for me could be summed up into three sources — (1) my ecosystem — my mother has been my biggest supporter, my friends and family have been some of the loudest cheerleaders for me and the work that this space stands for; (2) the passing of my older brother, Cody — he was the free-spirited rebel of the two of us and I wanted to find a way to honor him and following my passion was something that he stood for unapologetically; and (3) the need was greater than the risk — this was not just about me or the money — this community needs to know that our stories matter and that we are not the sum total of just our traumatic histories.

Q: What are some challenges you face while running your business?

As a Black woman, it definitely seems that a lot of people have things to say or “advice” to give about what I should be doing. So on a deeper level, I run into constant challenges or micro aggressions that would not exist if I were not a Black woman. Whether it’s people who believe they are being helpful but overstepping the boundaries because of my age, gender, or my racial make-up or people who outright believe that I couldn’t be an expert in my lane. Very annoying.

The other challenge is just dealing with the ebbs and flows of small business. Trying to make sure there’s enough inventory, being the person behind the counter, shipping and tending to social media, as well as, being customer service. I am currently a one-woman show, and so being all things at once can be difficult and burnout is very real.

Q: What piece of advice would you give to college students and recent graduates who are interested in entrepreneurship?

1. Make three plans for the same goal. You can never be over prepared but you can certainly be underprepared.

2. The ability to have a completely balanced work/life is a myth. Balance is not 50/50. Sometimes it’s 70/30 or 60/40 and that’s okay.

3. You have to be able to show up as YOU. The thing that makes the product/service you provide is that it’s YOURS. So do not ever feel like you have to compromise that to be successful. Take breaks and also be mindful of your capacity. You are your brand no matter how much you like or dislike that. If you are not taking care of you then the product/service will inevitably suffer, as well. The work you put out into the world is reflective to who you are.

 

 

Top 3 Feminist Shows

By: Annabelle Obermaier

In today’s age, we have a vast amount of feminist media to watch, read, listen to. Today I will be
going over the options you have for what to watch, specifically my top three feminist shows and movies
I’m going to be sharing!

Dickinson

Dickinson is a show that is an Apple TV original series. It is a comedy that focuses around the
poet Emily Dickinson. If you don’t know who Emily Dickinson was, she was a writer in the mid-1800s.
Since she was a woman her writings were never fully accepted or published until after her death.
This series stars Hailee Steinfield, who plays Emily. She is one of my favorite actresses, and I think she
plays the character well. Since this is a comedy, this isn’t your typical historical show, so if period pieces
usually bore you, give this show a try!

The Queen’s Gambit

The Queen’s Gambit is a Netflix original limited series that came out during quarantine. It was
very popular at the time, but if you haven’t heard of it, here’s the rundown: Our main character Beth is an
orphan living at this orphanage. She discovers a man that works there playing chess by himself. She wanted
to play, but the man was reluctant to teach her since she was a girl, but he eventually decided to. They find out she’s a prodigy and
from then on there we get to watch her life after this. This is overall one of my favorite series!

Enola Holmes

Enola Holmes is another Netflix original that is just utterly a great representation of a young girl
that won’t just align herself with what society wants her to be. The movie starts out with Enola waking up
to discover her mother missing. She knows she has to find her, she has to become a detective, (like her
older brother Sherlock holmes.) On her adventure to find her mother, she runs into Tewkesbury, a young
boy who is running away from home as well. What is special about this movie is that they don’t force a
love story out of the two of them, which I feel was very unique to these types of shows.
Enola Holmes 2 just came out on Netflix, I have not seen it yet, (solely due to the fact of waiting
to watch it with my bestie) but I am so excited to watch it!

It’s very important for us all to keep our eyes out for feminist shows, it’s easy for us all just to
watch what’s popular, even if it isn’t necessarily feminist. This is fine as long as we recognize what we’re
watching and take the time to appreciate some get feminist shows and movies!

Teaching Kids Feminism

 By: Anabelle Obermaier 

Teaching our future generations feminism is very important for our growth in society. This is because improving our mindset on gender equity is one set closer to a peaceful and kind world. I am going to be talking about ways we can teach our children feminism in ways like books and movies, our own personal values and teaching, and current events in media.

One way to introduce the concept of feminism to children is through the books and movies they consume. When picking a book to read to your kid, think does this represent women in a positive light without harsh stereotypes? When picking a movie, try to watch one with strong diverse female leads. Introducing your good values to kids is a very important ideal. This can be in ways just by simply changing your language; for example, you can discourage the use of stereotypical phrases of offensive language. Another example is to not put our children in boxes based on their gender. Instead let them express their gender through clothing, their hair, the toys they play with, as they wish.

Lastly, keeping your kids updated on age-appropriate current events in the media is crucial. To keep them educated on what gender issues are going on in the world is crucial. This can be for older kids in their early teens as a way to introduce them to current gender issues in media, government, and internationally. Overall, raising kids with the information to become a future feminist can be tricky, but these simple ways can be an easy way to introduce feminism in a safe and fun way!

Reflecting on 50 Years of Service to the University of Kansas City-Missouri

 

“Attention” by Summer Brooks, medium: black clay, spray foam, underglaze, luster, butterfly clips

By: Emma Sauer

Since its establishment by Alumni and former Kansas City mayor Kay Barnes in 1971, UMKC’s Women’s Center has been a proud voice for gender equity on campus. Through 50 years of continuous education, advocacy, and support services, the Women’s Center has diligently worked to cultivate a feminist-friendly community at UMKC. Most recently, our programming has revolved around supporting UMKC’s female athletes, our healing arts corners, and increasing our menstrual product supply available to the public. Our office is and always will be a safe space for every marginalized student, faculty member, or community member who walks through our doors.

To celebrate half a century’s worth of service, the Women’s Center is proud to unveil “Ms. behaving!”, an art exhibit co-curated by Women’s Center Director Arzie Umali and Sonie Ruffin. The exhibit will feature artwork showcasing acts of gender empowerment. In the words of Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, “well-behaved women seldom make history”. In other words, to enact real change, we must refuse to silence our voices. Activism demands determination and resilience in the fight for equity. Even the smallest act of courage, resilience, or rebellion can create lasting impact. 

During our opening night on Friday,  November 4, we saw an incredible turnout, despite the heavy rain! Now that I’ve been with the Women’s Center for two semesters, I can confidently say our art exhibits hosted through “Her Art Project” are my favorite events.  During a brief speech at the event,  our director Arzie emphasized the importance of giving female artists a platform.  She pointed out that if you ask someone to name male artists,  nobody ever has an issue listing off a whole list of them–but ask for female artists, and people will struggle to name even one. That’s a problem.  There are a plethora of female artists out there just as, if not more, talented than their male counterparts, but art communities often fail to recognize them. At least now, after someone sees in the exhibit, they’ll be able to name more than a dozen right in KC.

The UMKC Women’s Center Anniversary Exhibit will be up for viewing at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center in the Crossroads Arts District until January 28. We invite you to stop by, enjoy the art, and reflect on what you find there. 

We hope this exhibit inspires you to walk in the footsteps of other trailblazers throughout history: abolitionists, suffragists, and feminists who misbehaved!

 

Meet Our New Work-Study Staff, Anabelle!

By: Anabelle Obermaier

Hi! My name is Anabelle Obermaier. I am originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, but grew up in Marshfield, Missouri, a small town near Springfield. I come from a big family with four siblings. I am a Freshman and I’m majoring in political science. Some fun facts about me are that I have a twin sister, I am a cat lover, and my star sign is a leo.

My favorite holiday is Christmas because I love being around family and friends, I love giving and shopping for gifts, and I love the overall Christmas feeling. I am a very organized person, I always need a schedule. I couldn’t live without my planner. Some of my favorite movies include: Little Women, Titanic, and more recently the new Elvis movie that came out this summer. My favorite music artists are Harry Styles, Conan Gray, Taylor Swift, Doja Cat, and The Driver Era. Some of my hobbies and interests include: road tripping, running, plants, hanging out with friends, as well as learning to paint my own nails. Since I do like traveling, I have been to many states, but sadly not any other countries, but I’m hoping this will change in 2023.

I chose to take this opportunity to work at the Women’s Center because I am very passionate about women and gender issues. I am also passionate about LGBTQ+ rights as well as animal welfare issues. I hope to contribute the best I can and to gain great experience!

Someone’s Gotta Say It: The Word “Girlboss” Needs to Die 

By: Emma Sauer 

It’s been some time since I wrote one of these blogs, but I’m coming in hot today with an irritating trend that isn’t going away anytime soon. 

When’s the last time you walked into Target, TJ Maxx, Kohls, or any one of those conglomerate department stores? Have you noticed all those mass-produced t-shirts, tumblers, bags, book-ends, blankets, pillows, posters, and planners have one particular word plastered across them? Something like this:

Source: Amazon

Ugh. Girl Boss. Just typing that out feels like I’m manifesting the worst kind of cutesy faux feminism. Anyway, let me tell you why I hate this word so much. 

The word “girl boss” is a word ascribed to any woman in a position of leadership. It’s vague enough that it can mean a lot of different things, whether it’s a female CEO, business owner, or a middle aged white woman at home selling her Lularoe leggings. I also see it from time to time in Instagram bios or other places on social media. 

So, my main problem with cutesy phrases like “girl boss”, “boss lady”, or “she-eo” is that they’re infantilizing. (And also make for hideous interior design.) A woman in a leadership role shouldn’t be made into a huge deal— at least, not in a way that doesn’t recognize her accomplishments for what they are. When a man is in a leadership role, we don’t call him a “boy boss”, right? That just sounds silly and dumb. Same thing for “girl boss.” It’s dumb, and it makes me roll my eyes. I’m all for lifting up women, but instead of vaguely virtue-signaling with a sparkly pink “GIRL BOSS” plaque on your desk, do the work to focus on specific gender inequity issues.

And you know what? I find this whole “girl boss” thing totally disingenuous. It’s become a way for corporations to create merchandise and market themselves as being feminist, when in reality they’re destroying the environment, using child labor, and under-paying their employees.

Why Work at the Women’s Center?

By: Emma Sauer

At UMKC’s Women’s Center, we run a tight ship.  Between the five of us, we currently have three interns, a graduate assistant, and Arzie, our director. We’re looking for another work study student to add to our team this fall and spring, and it could be you!

If you’re a person who is passionate about helping and educating others and someone who is always open to learning new things, you will flourish at the Women’s Center. Through our events and programs, you’ll have to opportunity to educate and advocate for women’s equity on campus.  Our office is also a safe space for everyone, but especially anyone who feels marginalized.  You will help keep the office running by keeping the area tidy, answering phone calls, and providing resources from our brochures or resource list to those who need it. You’ll also help organize and staff events with your coworkers, along with posting regularly to our social media…and the blog of course! This is a great opportunity for teamwork, as you’ll be working alongside your fellow staff to create programs, campaigns, and to make sure events go without a hitch.

Working with the Women’s Center is an incredible opportunity to gain experience in an office setting while also advocating for gender equity.  Plus, it’s lots of fun!  Many of the programs we run involve art activities, meeting new students, and getting involved on campus! Speaking from experience, working here is a great way to gain experience on campus if you haven’t had the chance yet.  All majors are welcome to apply, and as a work study student, you’ll even get paid!

Application Steps:

  1. Complete the Women’s Center Work-Study Application here.
  2. Send your current resume and class schedule to umkc-womens-center@umkc.edu.
  3. Questions? Please contact 816-235-1638 or
    umkc-womens-center@umkc.edu.

Details:

Aid Term: Fall/Spring

Job Title: Office & Events Assistant

Pay Range: $13.00 to $14.00

Weekly Hours: 12

Weekly Work Schedule: Mon – Thurs, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Fridays, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Some evening and weekend hours during special events)

Job Category: Administrative/Customer Service

Essential Duties May Include: Identify needs of individual and appropriately assist with questions or concerns at front desk. Politely greet students and guests to provide quality customer service; Answer phones. Assess questions; offer solutions or additional resources such as a manager to assist. Demonstrate professionalism in a confidential setting. Implement existing/new tasks, projects and/or ideas with accuracy and enthusiasm. Promote services by serving as an representative through conversations with fellow students. Data entry, mailing and other clerical duties as assigned. Open/close office as needed.

Back to Basics #6: Can Men Be Feminists?

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 By: Anel Sandoval

We are bringing it Back to Basics this week! In this blog segment, we explain feminist terminology, myths, concepts and more! Today’s question is…

“Does a feminist have to be female?” 

Being a feminist means believing that women and men are equal and deserve equal rights. If you agree with that, then you’re a feminist. With that being said, all genders can be a feminist! True feminism is intersectional. Feminism spans across any and all genders, sexual preferences, or ethnic identities. And yes, men can be feminist allies too! 

“Why are men important in advocating for gender equity?”  

Men can be important allies to women in fighting for gender equity and promoting violence prevention. Women have been fighting for women’s equality for hundreds of years, but men also have a role to join in the fight as they’re not the problem, but part of the solution. One example of a self identified male feminist is former President Barack Obama. In August of 2016, President Obama penned his famous This is What A Feminist Looks Like where he reminded us that “it is absolutely men’s responsibility to fight sexism too.” His administration also took big steps to combat campus sexual assault and violence against women, improve equal pay protections, and actively promote women’s issues.  

“What can I, as a man, do to become an ally for women’s human rights?”  

 Great question! Here is a list of ways:  

  • Support women’s organizations such as the Women’s Center here on campus. We have many events you can attend this semester!  
  • Educate yourself on the history of women’s fight for equality as well as current issues.  
  • Start a conversation with women in your life. Listen to women who are fighting for their rights and ask them questions on how you can support them. 
  • Do not be a bystander to women’s violence. If you see it in your home, workplace, campus, or any public place, do not be silent, report it.  
  • Do not share sexist content that belittles or discriminates against women in any way. 
  • Advocate and educate others. Men can challenge other men in a way that women can’t, and if you use that opportunity to try to educate other guys, or just send the message that sexist attitudes are not okay, that can go a long way. It can feel awkward, but it’s worth it and very appreciated. 

Remember that absolutely anyone can be a feminist regardless of their gender and it is our duty, as society, to change the fact that women aren’t equal to men. To learn more click here!