Albion

Mission

The mission of the Anna Howard Shaw Women’s Center is to offer social, cultural, and political programming with the purpose of honoring and facilitating diversity and equality, while promoting humanity and respectfulness for all. Women’s Center programs seek to educate the Albion Community about confronting issues and actions of oppression and marginalization that serve as barriers to the development, dignity, and freedom of all people. The Women’s Center is about supporting people to feel free to be who they are.

History

Founded in 1985, the Center is named for Anna Howard Shaw (1847–1919). Dr. Shaw was an ardent feminist, educator, Methodist minister, physician, orator and suffragist. The daughter of Michigan pioneers, Dr. Shaw attended Albion College from 1873–1875 before becoming one of the first women to be ordained in the Methodist Church. Dr. Shaw served as president of the national Women’s Suffrage Association for 12 years during the early 20th century.

The Anna Howard Shaw Women’s Center house is a gathering place for women – simply “a place of our own,” where women can join together to share ideas, access resources, and work together to promote growth. The Anna Howard Shaw Women’s Center aims to promote and support the status of women in the Albion Community. The Center’s programs and resources are available to students, faculty, and staff of Albion College as well as to the people of Albion and the surrounding communities.

Objectives

• To provide collaborative social, cultural, developmental, and political programming to raise awareness for women’s rights and equality.
• To coordinate educational programming on sexual assault and sexual harassment.
• To connect students with resources pertaining to sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sexual health.
• To connect students with resources which support women’s health and well-being.
• To collaborate with academic programs, campus organizations, and student organizations providing support for women’s issues and needs.