Dinner event April 27 supports new Women and Gender Resource Initiative on campus

The Women and Gender Resource Initiative at Youngstown State University hosts a debut dinner 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, on the fifth floor of Maag Library on campus.

The fund-raising event is $50 per person. To make a reservation, visit www.ysu.edu/WGRI.

The idea for a Women and Gender Resource Initiative at YSU began last spring when Gloria Steinem was in Youngstown for a YSU-sponsored lecture at Stambaugh Auditorium. Steinem, political activist, feminist organizer and the co-founder Ms. magazine, offered to seed the effort. Megan List, assistant professor of Teacher Education at YSU, agreed to serve as director.

The dinner is an opportunity for the community to meet List, learn about the future plans of the WGRI and offer financial support.

List has a history of campus advocacy for gender equality, for the LGBTQ community, and for creating a safe campus, free from violence and sexual harassment. She holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Social Studies instruction from North Carolina State University. She also earned a master’s degree in Education and a bachelor’s degree in History, both from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, N.Y. Her research interests include historical inquiry, ways LGBTQ status can impact instruction, and the role of minority status in career paths. List also serves on several community boards and is actively involved in the National Council for the Social Studies and the National Education Association.

“The WGRI will offer resources, information, and referral programs and provide advocacy and education about women, gender, and issues of diversity affecting the university campus and the community,” List said.

List also was recently featured in the “Firsts in Higher Education” section of the April 2018 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine. The magazine recognized List as the first-ever transgender program director at YSU.

The center aims to eliminate barriers to gender equity; dispel gender-based myths and stereotypes; promote healthy relationships; advocate for the prevention of sexual assault, gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, physical and verbal violence, stalking, bullying, and other forms of misconduct; provide a safe space to help individuals cope with trauma from any form of gender-related violence, discrimination or misconduct; facilitate dialogue that challenges sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia and discrimination; encourage women to advocate for themselves and others; build capacity for leadership and engagement; support women’s health and positive body image; and treat everyone in a manner that is kind, welcoming and non-judgmental.