More than meets the eye
A profile on the University of Manitoba's Womyn's Centre
Hidden away in the clean tiled halls of the Helen Glass building lies a haven of futons, information and tampons. The Womyn's Centre at the University of Manitoba is a resource that perhaps not many women know about but is extremely valuable and helpful nonetheless.
C'mon in
The centre is a collectively run organization where women can come in and get a variety of information on topics or concerns that they might have.
"Basically we act as a referal service for women on campus. They can come to us as a first point of contact if they have some sort of issue going on in their life, and we can refer them to an outside agency that would best suit their needs," says Crystal Gartside, the co-ordinator of the centre.
Not only does the centre provide information for women who want it, but they also provide products that are crucial and expensive for some.
"We also provide resources. We provide pregnancy tests, condoms, and menstral products free of charge. Also, the pads and the tampons we buy are all organic," says Gartside.
The centre also sells the Keeper - a menstrual product which is a rubber cup that can be used over and over again. The cost of the Keeper at the centre is a mere $35 as compared to the $50-60 that a retail store around the city would sell it for.
Another service available to women is the vast array of books, magazines and information that the centre holds. They also have pamphlets on a variety of issues that range from sexuality to STDs to political activism to how to make your own pad.
"We also have a lending library that anyone can come and use. It's pretty extensive actually," says Gartside. "We have contact information for a range of different outside agencies, and we also have a list of their pamphlets."
In addition to the resources available, the centre also is involved in various projects that people are encouraged to get involved in.
"We also have the books for the Prisoners Project, where we act as a drop-off space for people to [donate] books for the women prisoners,"says Gartside.
Someone to talk to
Need to talk? The 15 to 20 volunteers that work during office hours and keep the centre open, are waiting with open ears for any woman that has something she want to talk about. No matter how large or small that problem is, the Womyn's Centre is there to help.
"We have our quiet room or our crisis room. That's where women can come if they're in a crisis situation - it's where we take women when they want to talk during a referal. But [if you are] having a bad day or something you can come in and use that space," remarks Gartside.
Although the volunteers at the centre are not counsellors, they are able to talk about problems and refer women to various organizations that can give advice on problems.
"We don't give advice, we just help them to find the information that they need. Usually if it's a pregnancy issue we would refer them to the Women's Health Clinic because they do pregnancy counselling and they're pro-choice. They provide women with all the options and help them to choose the best one for them," explains Gartside.
When a women comes in with a question or concern, she can be assured that the discussion will stay between her and the volunteer at the centre.
"It is a confidential space. I mean we don't have policies and procedures about confidentiality - that should be something that we should be looking into," says Gartside. "We're very respectful of [privacy] here."
Another step that the Womyn's Centre has taken to ensure the comfort of women who visit the centre is to not allow men to stay for prolonged periods of time in the centre.
"We allow men in the centre - they're welcome to come in and use the resources. But we ask them not to come in and study and hang around because we [want to] keep it a women's centre," explains Gartside.
Don't judge a book by it's cover
Some women might be intimidated by the strong but extremely positive beliefs that the centre holds. But Gartside explains the stereotypes that arise from the word 'feminist', and the problems that arise from such assumptions.
"We do have a particular mandate and that's that we are feminist, pro-choice, queer positive, anti-racist and anti-homophobic. We have heard in the past [that] the Womyn's Centre is an intimidating place for people to come and get more involved with. I think it has to do maybe with our mandate," laments Gartside. "I think maybe [that there's an idea] that this is only a place for certain kinds of women. Or only women who are women's studies students. Or that because of what we post on the door that you have to be really political - which isn't true either."
Regardless of your political involvement, the Womyn's Centre wants to make it clear that the resources are there and available for women who want it. But if someone would like to get involved in the political end of things, they are welcomed with open arms as well.
"A big part of what we try to make the centre about is making this a space and a resource for women who want to be politically active and who want to do feminist activist things, and initiate change on campus and in the larger community," says Gartside. "Some women are interested in that and some women just want to come here and use a futon to study - and that's perfectly fine too."
There are many reasons why people want t get involved in the centre and Gartside stresses that they welcome many ideas with open arms.
"Sometimes people have particular things that they want to do or are interested in. If they have ideas of projects or events that they want to promote or use our resources for, we're definiately open to that too," explains Gartside.
Getting Involved
So now that all the wonderful perks and services of the Womyn's Centre have been reveiled, you may wonder how to get involved. Another benefit is that anyone who comes to a meeting will become a part of the collective. There is no form to sign and no oath to take - once a woman comes to a meeting, they are part of the collective.
"They can e-mail us, they can call, [but stopping] by the centre [is] probably the best way [to get a hold of us]," says Gartside.
The plans in the near future for the centre is campus orientated with workshops and events hosted and organized by the campus.
"Right now a lot of our activities are based on campus because we are starting to gain momentum and strength. We're trying to pull things together for the Dec. 6 memorial service," explains Gartside.
The centre is holding a rejuvenation workshop for women on Nov. 15 and 16. The two-day affair will consist of de-stressing techniques, aromatherapy, and good food which women can sign up for.
"We also offer Wen-Do - which is women's self-defence. It's taught by a woman for women," adds Gartside
The possibilities of involvement are unlimited - from participating in a workshop to a drop in for a chat. The Womyn's Centre is a place on campus where women can feel welcome and comfortable any time of the day.
Stop in the Womyn's Centre in room 190 Helen Glass Building. Call them at 474-6897. Or e-mail them at womyns-centrecc.umanitoba.ca