About
This archive contains a snapshot from 1979 to 2013, representing forty-four years of student drive and dedication that had a major impact on the history of Hamilton College. Many of the digitized posters are part of a work to preserve the legacy of Kirkland College (Kirkland) women and to create a central repository of storytelling, connection to powerful history, and a celebration of women.
Where did these posters come from?
The posters included in this collection come from the original Women’s Resource Center and former Womyn’s Center, Womxn’s Center, and now Center for Intersectional Feminism.
Take a few moments to review Claudette Ferrone’s photos of the former Womxn’s Center:
Women's Center Creation
The Women’s Resource Center (The Center) was founded at Kirkland College in 1974 by Cassandra Harris-Lockwood. It could be found alternating between Kirner-Johnson Building and McEwen Dining Hall.
The Center provided change for vending machines and washers and dryers, sold tampons, and offered information on feminism, rape, bodily image, lesbianism, abortion, and gynecological services.
Impact of Kirkland College Closing (1978)
Kirkland women demanded the establishment of a women’s center post-Hamilton merger:
"A strong comprehensive women’s center, specifically backed by the College, will serve as a sponsor for a wide variety of films, speakers, and workshops of specific interest to women, and as information center and gathering place."
The Requirements
“The center should have a place of its own. The space should be large enough for an office, to house a small library of books and periodicals, to display information about on and off-campus events of interest to women, and to hold small meetings. Most of the arguments which support the existence of the of the Black and Latin Cultural Center can be extended to the need for separate space for a Women’s Center.”
“There should be at least one Administrative position in the Dean of Student Affairs Office which has the overall concerns of women and liaison with the Women’s Center as a specific part of the job description. This position would provide a direct link to the administration, make available expertise in program planning and generally reinforce the institution’s commitment to the special needs of women.”
“Funds must be available for the Center. We urge the appropriate funding committees to place the needs of the Center high on their list of organizations to be helped.”
The posters in this Women’s History Month exhibit celebrate the incredible programs, lectures, and events hosted by students from the Womxn’s Center in collaboration with faculty and staff. Examples are included from a wide range of events, from Women’s Energy Week to discussions focused on what it means to be a feminist.
Hamilton College Womxn’s Center (2023)