The WRC's Response to the Genocide Awareness Project

(originally posted 04/08 at wordpress)

Women’s Resource Center’s Response
To the Genocide Awareness Project @ PSU
April 2008

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The PSU Women’s Resource Center honors Freedom of Speech – the concept of being able to speak freely without censorship. We also recognize that the Genocide Awareness Project may be disturbing and evoke an emotional response. Freedom of speech allows us to engage in a dialogue about the Choice Movement, and the WRC strongly encourages PSU students to do so.

Please let your voice be heard too!

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How to get involved!

Plan an event or volunteer at the Women’s Resource
Center.wrc@pdx.edu • www.wrc.pdx.edu • 503-725-5672

Join the student group PSU Vox: Voices for Planned Parenthood
Vox@pdx.edu

Join the student group NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon
tleanne5664@hotmail.com

Volunteer with NARAL Pro-Choice
Oregoneddie@prochoiceoregon.org • 503-223-4510

Volunteer with Planned Parenthood
http://www.plannedparenthood.org • 1-800-230-PLAN

Write about your personal experience or
write a response and submit it to the WRC’s online zine.
mae@shesheet.com (www.shesheet.com)

Register to VOTE!
http://www.declareyourself.com
Register to Vote in the WRC April 9 – April 28

"Crazy Cunt!" or, "My Experiences in the Service Industry."

(originally posted 04/08 at wordpress)



by mae stephenson

So, I've made a disturbing observation over the past few weeks. Several women I respect and consider to be strong, smart women have mentioned playing "the dumb girl" to get things done. I admit, I've even mentioned it myself. From getting the proper tools to put furniture together to solving conflicts with customers at a restaurant, smart women all over our precious Portland and beyond are submitting to patriarchal stereotypes to accomplish things. As a woman in the service industry, I understand how difficult it can be to get people to take you seriously. Too many times in my line of work and in daily life, I've seen women stand up for themselves and be dismissed as "crazy" or charged with being on her period instead of being listened to as, perhaps, some of their male counterparts might be.

The Vagina Monologues Inspire Portland

(originally posted 02/08 at wordpress)





by Blythe Pavlik

Friday night I gathered some friends and headed down to PSU for the second night’s performance of the Vagina Monologues. When we arrived on the third floor of Smith Memorial we were greeted with positive, welcoming vibes. Smiling people lined the way to the entrance creating a funnel into the ballroom where we connected with all the other vagina celebrators. Volunteers and tablers were helpful, directive and very knowledgeable. My friends and I felt well received.

Women Unite: Take Back the Night!

(originally posted 9/07 at wordpress)

by Natalie Ullman

“Women unite take back the night!” were the chants heard from every dorm room surrounding the Portland State Campus the evening of May 24, 2007.

After a candle light vigil commemorating women that have died from sexual violence, students from Portland State University literally took to the streets. Energized by a full day of sexual assault awareness,

Dear Bird and Bitsy: Late Night Harrassment

(originally posted 7/07 at wordpress)

We will be bringing you a regular column from our expert advice columnists Bird & Bitsy. If you have a question, please email (birdonawire@shesheet.com or bitsy@shesheet.com) or mail us and we will respond right here on the site! Of course, we cannot be responsible for your actions and anything that you might do as a result of reading our columns is at your own risk, so please do what is right for you and don't sue us! Be sensible! On with the show:

Bird & Bitsy,
I was out at a bar the other night celebrating a friend's birthday. There was a small group of people at the table behind us, they were all obviously very drunk. One guy in particular kept referring to how much he liked my friend and I. My entire table continued to ignore him and his other inappropriate comments. He then proceeded to