Women's Coalition (University of Denver) Records

The University of Denver Women's Coalition was founded in 1997, developing from the efforts of the 1995 Women's Fall Renewal Conference and recommendations made by Robin Morgan, the Leo Block Professor of 1996-1997. The first six (6) women's groups to comprise the Coalition were: the Women's Leadership Council (WLC); Faculty Women's Association (FWA); Women Advocating Change (WAC); Staff Women's Association and Network (SWAN); Graduate Women's Council (GWC); and the Undergraduate Women's Council (UWC). Though the coalition identified women's issues and created task forces and networks, the lack of leadership stabiilty decreased their momentum until 2005. However, in 2008, the recession caused members to lose their positions. Theresa Hernandez assumed the position of Chair of the Women's Coalition following Meg Steiz's departure from the University of Denver. During Hernandez's tenure, the coalition's partnerships expanded, there was more collaboration with other groups and organizations on campus, and emphasis was placed on alliances and sponsorship. During Fall 2009, an analysis of institutional data on women was initiated by the Office of the Provost in order to compare information to peer institutions. The Women's Coalition groups collaborated to foster dicussion and work towards equity at the University of Denver. Funding requests by Hernandez were sent to the Office of the Provost and approved. In 2013, Hernandez's proposal for a more sustainable and accountable organization structure for the coalition was received and, under the leadership of Johanna Leyba and the Office of Inclusive Exellence, was placed into a divisional reporting structure. This made the Chair an appointed staff member's job, whereas it was an unpaid position before. Emerging out of the 2013 Women's Leadership Council, a Status of Women Tast Force was established which extended its scope of work to include People of Color and other marginalized groups at the University of Denver. In 2017, the Women's Coalition moved under the leadership of the Dean of the Women's College. The intent is to have the Women's College be the permanent, physical location for the Coalition.