Feature Story by: Dee Cockrille
Empowerment, confidence and advocacy come to mind when a person steps
into the space known as the The Women's Center. "I am woman hear me
roar", the song made popular by Helen Reddy in the 1970's, still has
relevance for women who seek to become involved in the Center's activities.
Projects sponsored by the student group P.O.W.E.R or by Women's Programs
office staff give students the opportunity to explore dimensions of leadership,
scholarship, and the essence of community-building.
The fall of 1996 was action packed as usual when the programming lineup featured best selling author Collette Dowling, author of five books who has lectured widely on women's fear of success; Ruby Dee, renowned actress who presented motivational readings on women's empowerment; and Katie Koestner, featured on the HBO Lifestories Docudrama on acquaintance rape entitled, "No Visible Bruises; the Katie Koestner Story."
Spring 1997 focused MU attention upon the issue of sexual harassment
and the chilly classroom 
climate for women when nationally recognized
expert Dr. Bernice Sandler was the keynote speaker at the annual Celebration
of Women Scholarship Dinner. The beating of the Women's Center heart was
never more clearly heard than during this Celebration which honors women
who have gone forward to make this University a better place.
Important guests at this celebratory event include faculty members, student
government, community, and state leaders who come to pay tribute to the
accomplishments of students and alumnae who have made a difference in our
community . This year's honorees included: Nakia 
Watkins, Patricia
White, LaShara Hoskins, Jacqueline Eikenburgn and Emily Redington. Special
recognition was given to Ms. Frankie Nowlin, Alumna and the President of
the Borden Foundation for her accomplishments in the area of community service
and leadership.
The leadership development of women students was a primarily focus for
the year in the hopes that women students would find relevance and meaning
in the phrase, " A woman's place is in the world." The Center
was not disappointed as many women were selected to receive receiving special
leadership recognition from a variety of offices and departments. Outstanding
Leader Scholar award: Taneia Copley; Outstanding Leadership winners:Tricia
Conley, Laura Nowles, and Christina Kieffer; 
Outstanding Contributions:
Kelly Schoonover and Laura Nowles; Outstanding Senior: Beverly M. Milam,
and Outstanding John Deaver Drinko Community Service Award: Anne Fiedler,
Cathleen Hutchinson, Farrah Jacques, Patricia Jenkins, and Kristina Raynes.
Seminars, support groups and specialized sessions were offered in abundance in order to meet the specialized needs of women students. The Center strives to ensure a campus community in which women and men can live and work together in a mutually respectful environment where equality, responsibility and personal empowerment are encouraged and developed. With such a mission there is room for anyone to join specialized activities from yearly leadership conference, open houses, programming for non-traditional students to Take Your Daughter to Work.
Students come to the Women' s Center activities for a variety of reasons but it is certain when they take part, they will find student life which is sure to stimulate friendship, provide entertainment, or encourage participation in educational programming which is sure to ignite a woman's passion for being in the world.
Photo Captions (top to bottom): Photo 1: Coordinator of the Women's Center, Leah Tolliver, meets with a student in the center.
Photo 2: Nationally known expert in sexual harassment, Dr. Bernice Sandler spoke with the guests at the Celebration of Women dinner.
Photo 3: Dr. Sandler enjoying the personal tribute given by Dr. Donnalee Cockrille.
Photo 4: LaShara Hoskins received a Women of Marshall Scholarship Award.
Photo 5: Patricia White receives her award for the Women of Marshall Scholarship.
Photo 6: Nakia Watkins was named as the recipient of the Eugene Crawford Scholarship Award.
Photo 7: Ms. Frankie Nowlin was recognized for her contributions as a Marshall alumnae.