Kent State Women's Center Turns 25
It seems fitting that the Kent State Women’s Center officially kicked off its 25th anniversary during the celebration of Women’s History Month in March.
Talks for an actual Women’s Center on campus first started in March 1995, when then-President Carol Cartwright—the first woman president at a state school in Ohio—appointed a Women’s Center Committee, whose members reflected the diversity of talented people committed to the idea. The committee developed a 21-page recommendations report and presented it to the Kent State University Board of Trustees in November 1995 to explain why such a center would benefit the campus. It was approved.
Soon after, what was once the carriage house of the president’s mansion was being transformed into a fully accessible and functional Women’s Center, with Molly Merryman named its first director. On Nov. 13, 1996, an open house and reception celebrated its opening and announced to the community that the center was ready to assist and advocate for women.
Flash forward 25 years later, and Cassie Pegg-Kirby, who has been at the Women’s Center since 2012 and in her current position as director since 2018, says the collective approach taken 25 years ago has ensured its continued success.
“We have always been about making sure everyone has a seat at the table and intentionally looking around to see who is missing,” she says. “From day one, we provided initiatives and efforts to raise awareness, educate and take action on issues impacting our community.”
“We have always been about making sure everyone has a seat at the table.”
—Cassie Pegg-Kirby, director of the Kent State Women’s Center
Pegg-Kirby also credits the Women’s Center with cultivating opportunities for women across the campus and beyond. They include Elect Her; Mothers, Mentors, Muses; the (R)Evolution leadership program; and the Sage Project. Regular events such as Feminist Fridays and Women of Color Collective have further impact on students’ lives.
The Women’s Center also helps students financially with scholarships. “We have been able to give out thousands of dollars to help students not only stay in school but thrive and take advantage of additional opportunities that may have seemed out of reach,” says Pegg-Kirby. “I cannot even begin to capture all of the amazing individuals who have been part of our continued success and evolution.”
Throughout the remainder of the year, many celebrations will take place, including an “At the Table” conversation series. “We were inspired by the Shirley Chisholm quote, ‘If you don’t have a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,’” says Pegg-Kirby. “We plan on making it a monthly conversation series featuring intergenerational conversations across many different identities focusing on topics such as women and leadership, women and athletics, women and STEM, and more.”
Other significant events include a Wick Poetry online collaboration to promote community and conversation and a potential 25th Anniversary cookbook that includes recipes for success, activism and other antidotes. The big celebration is slated for November.
As the Women’s Center looks to the future and another 25 years, Pegg-Kirby sees a lot of room to grow. “As we move forward creating spaces that are inclusive and equitable, where people have the benefit of the most opportunities and experiences, we need to honor the people who came before us who fought the good fight,” she says. “I am excited to see how we can build off the successes of the past 25 years and look forward to co-creating the next 25 with the support of our alumni, our elders and wisdom keepers, as well as the students who are carrying the torches into this new world.” —Matt Lupica
Learn more about the Women’s Center.
Check on updates to the 25th Anniversary plans and events.