Women's Resource & Action Center
The Women's Resource and Action Center, also known as WRAC, is an organization dedicated to the equality and well-being of female students at the University of Iowa and members of the Iowa City community. It provides resources and information that are helpful for the everyday activities of women and as a source of entertainment and subject matter relevant to women.[1]
History
Originally called the Women's Liberation Front in 1971, WRAC was established to promote women's rights and equality, and allow women to meet other women as friends, classmates, coworkers, etc. WRAC's website states that members of the organization "met to discuss their shared oppression as women and search for solutions to their common problems." In 1974, the group changed its name to that which it currently holds: Women's Resource and Action Center.
Present day
Programs
Student life
WRAC has organized "Take Back The Night" rallies, an event including a march in advocation of sexual violence victims and an open-mic time for victims to tell their stories that has been ongoing since 1979.[2] Since 2014 the University of Iowa has had a new focus on decreasing sexual assaults on campus. Because of this, WRAC has increased their staff and resources and has been able to reach more students.[3] The organization has grown too large for its current location on Madison Street where the Center has been for 39 years. With the development of these events, the organization plans to move to a new location (the Bowman house on Clinton Street in Iowa City) in 2016.[4]
Safety
WRAC has been providing safety resources for years. Whether it be in their office or online, there are many different options. For example, on their website, it lists hotlines for immediate assistance as well as counselling and care for victims of sexual assault. One of WRAC's projects to fight sexual violence and increase safety was the Street Lighting and Safety Project.[1] WRAC acted as an advisor to the Association of Student Women (ASW) and collaborated with them to complete the project. The goal of the Street Lighting and Safety Project was to have more street lights put in place around Iowa City to provide more lighting during the evenings and at night. WRAC and ASW began the project in 1976 and it was completed in 1980. The lights put up around the campus acted as a precursor to current lights and blue safety lights around campus today.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Women's Resource and Action Center records, Iowa Women's Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City
- ↑ Charis-Carlson, Jeff. (April 30, 2015). "Hundreds at UI come out to 'Take Back the Night'". Press-Citizen.
- ↑ Matthew, Carly. (March 3, 2015). "UI Works on Sexual Assaults". The Daily Iowan.
- ↑ O'Leary, Josh. (September 1, 2015). "WRAC's Longtime Campus Home to be Razed". Press-Citizen.