Mission Statement
The mission of the Friends of Women's Studies is to support the University of Houston Women's Studies Program’s campus and community activities through financial and volunteer efforts. The central focus of the Friends is the Women's Archive and Research Center (WARC)--a unique collection of documents from active and historical Houston area women's organizations and individuals associated with these organizations, as well as Texas women's oral histories. Your Friends of Women's Studies donations and membership fee support the WARC and the Women's Studies Program.
How to Join
Your donation not only makes you part of this important project but also gives you free admission to the Living Archives interview series, invitations to special events, lectures, and other members-only receptions. You will also receive notification about new Women's Studies courses, a year-long subscription to our newsletter "New Voices," and a Friends of Women's Studies tote bag (with membership at the Partner level or above).
The following membership levels are available:
- Life Membership: $1000
- Annual memberships
- Corporate Member: $1000
- Advocate: $500
- Sponsor: $250
- Partner: $125
- Sustaining Member: $75
- Supporter: $35
- Student/Senior: $15
Please fill and print out our Membership Form.
Events
The Friends of Women's Studies host Table Talk and the Living Archives series, among other events.
Table Talk
Table Talk is a fascinating combination of conversations over lunch. Dynamic women of various cultures, professions, and experiences lead the discussions at each table. Table Talk benefits the Women's Studies Program and the Women's ARC
(Archive and Research Center) at the University of Houston. The Women's ARC
was established in 1996 to collect, preserve, and share the stories of
women's contributions to the life and culture of Texas and Houston. Our focus is the written records and oral histories of women's organizations and of individual women who have affected our lives. As a contributor to Table Talk you help support these important endeavors.
Living Archives
The Living Archives series, which is held at the Menil Collection in Montrose, offer panel discussions on diverse topics. These discussions are open to the public. The amazing women on the panels are professionally videotaped so that their stories can be placed into the Women’s ARC for the perusal of future generations. Recent panels have included "Women Who Run," "Surviving Katrina and Rita: Mother's and Daughters," "Bahai Women and Social Activism," and "Women in Fashion."
Board Members
- President: MaryScott Hagle
- Vice President: Yolanda Alvarado
- Treasurer: Vilma Allen
- Secretary: Barbara Karkabi
- Members: Dina Alsowayel, Maida Asofsky, Christine Attar, Diane Barber, Ann Lacy Brown, Heather Brown, Anneliese Davis, Juanita Elizondo, Andrea Georgesson, Zita Giraldo, Elizabeth Gregory, Crystal Hadnott, Nina Andrews Karohl, Kate Knippa, Gin-Ru Lee M.S.W., Nicole Longnecker, Teddy McDavid PhD, Susana Monteverde, Terry Morales, Leigh Owen, Louise Richman, Beverely Robinson, Mia Rogers, Jo Rosenblum King, Sally Russ, Zeba Shah, Carey C. Shuart, Elizabeth Wilder.
Friends of Women's Studies Advisory Council Members
Shannon Buggs, Betty Chapman, Audrey Crawford, Carolyn Farb, Hon. Jessica Farrar, Brenda Gallagher, Hon. Sylvia Garcia, Pauline E. Higgins, Belle Johnson, Alison LeLand, Elizabeth MacNaughton Ed.D, Linda May, Sherry Merfish, Ginni Mithoff, Kathryn Peek PhD, Lynn Randolph, Graciela Saenz, Pat Salis, Yava Scott, Bette Ann Stead, Ellen Susman and Mary Ross Taylor.

