Respect Guidelines
We believe in creating a respectful environment for our visitors, volunteers and staff. We do this using our Respect Guidelines:
About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a safe and supportive place to advance gender equality and build community through sharing, learning and teaching. We value all experiences and offer the resources necessary to make informed choices.
Our Vision
Our vision is to achieve gender equality at the university to support an inclusive campus environment. We want every individual’s agency and voice to be nurtured so they can contribute to the collective spirit of our community, where citizenship and leadership is possible for all, regardless of gender.
Our Philosophy
Our values are rooted in three pillars of work: Wellness, Leadership and Diversity.
Accessible to individuals of all gender identities
We extend our services and resources to students, staff and faculty of the university, as well as members of the community.
Honouring diversity
The Women's Resource Centre is first and foremost a place of kindness. We honour each individual's experience regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, class, sexuality, age or ability.
Empowering choice
All of the resources and referrals given at the Women's Resource Centre must honour each individual's ownership over their mind and body.
Inclusive
We encourage individuals of all genders to work towards gender equality. Our focus is on providing a safe space for women and 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and are committed to responding to their needs. However, all individuals are welcome to volunteer, partake in events, and/or access our resources.
Peer-based
We employ a peer model where every individual — whether volunteer or visitor — is an equal. In addition, each individual is responsible for the maintenance of the cleanliness and atmosphere of the space.
We reserve the right to request individuals leave the centre if they don't adhere to these guidelines.
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Our Story
A Women’s Resource Centre has existed at the University of Calgary in various forms since the 1970s. In the 1990s, a small women’s centre existed, relying on volunteers to sustain its efforts. Eventually, the centre closed due to space constraints and a lack of funding.
In 2003, a group of women students from Dr. Fiona Nelson’s Women’s Studies Feminist Praxis course took on the task of researching and developing a plan to reinstitute a women’s centre at the university. Their efforts led to the Campus Women’s Resource Centre campaign, which lasted until 2006. At this time, a group of women faculty and staff came together to support their efforts. These women included Dr. Nelson, Catherine Fisher of the Centre for International Students and Study Abroad, Dr. Claudia Emes, acting advisor to the president on women’s issues, and Sheila O’Brien, advisor to the president on student life, among others.
Sheila O’Brien became the administrative force behind the founding of the newest iteration of women’s centres at the university when she donated her entire year’s salary to the construction of the new centre.
The Women’s Resource Centre is part of the Take Your Place project, which saw the enhancement of 40 student spaces on campus. The original centre was designed by two women environmental design students, Georgia Houston and Livia Antalikova and was housed on the third floor of MacEwan Hall next to the Ballroom and the Gauntlet office. In June 2013, the Women's Resource Centre was moved to a renovated and larger space on the fourth floor of MacEwan Student Centre. The Women's Resource Centre is now funded by the university and is part of the Student Experience and Support.