Alumna gets help through tough times

By Sarah Duffy
Special to the Daily Forty-Niner

Recently, Mae Henderson has experienced dramatic success. The Cal State Long Beach sociology alumna has won a two-year fellowship and one year of departmental support at the University of Washington, while she pursues a doctorate in Women's Studies.

Henderson's future was not always so promising. Twenty years ago, while trying to balance motherhood and her job, she was diagnosed with Lupus, a mysterious disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue. During her struggle with the disease, she not only lost her job, but also at one point even lost the ability to take care of herself.

Determined to be able to manage her illness, she began to pursue her education. She enrolled at CSULB and soon learned of the Women's Resource Center through one of her classes.

The center, according to Henderson, has been a key factor in her success as a student. Even today, hardly a day goes by in which she does not find herself in the center.

"The resource center has been the hub -- of my whole education process here, and it has allowed me to help others, to mentor, to participate and do volunteer efforts," Henderson said.

The center's mission statement aims to facilitate "women's educational, personal and professional growth." The center offers numerous programs along those guidelines, including the Sexual Assault Prevention Education Project, which is designed to address issues of rape, including how people can maintain a safe campus environment. Monthly series, such as the Women's Forum and Spoken Words of Women, offer students a venue to present their work in art, business, research and other fields.

Additionally, the center offers guidance and advice on where to seek help for anyone who needs assistance, whether education, physical, professional or emotional.

"As women we find commonalities within our communities. As different as we are, our similarities are overwhelming, and any barriers we came in with break down piece by piece," Henderson said.

"Social interaction between women in the center is not always serious. Sometimes, we talk simply about why we wear stockings or not, and why was it that our mothers made us wear them."

Cal State Long Beach student discovers support with health issues,
emotional needs, educational success
at Women's Resource Center

The programs and services offered by the resource center are meant to provide support in all areas of a woman's life and to all types of women. According to Lethia Cobbs, a senior English major who is actively involved with the center, "Crisis is just part of the pie. I've seen people barely passing as well as scholars in here."

Cobbs, who served as a host for Spoken Words of Women, thinks the center provides an excellent opportunity for students who get involved.

"It has not only provided the best social conditions for me," Cobbs said. "As a host -- it has provided me with experience I will use on my resume. I will always return here, wherever I go."

The resource center also has a specialized library on women's issues and feminism. Reflecting the theme of feminism, a collage of fliers, posters, announcements and artwork decorate the walls.

A senior and double  major in psychology and women's studies, Roshni Chabra says, "Whether or not you're a feminist you can feel the positive energy from the resource center."

"Many don't want to call themselves that because it's difficult, an ongoing struggle, because you're questioning everything you've ever learned, including how we are socialized to put ourselves last," Chabra said. "Every woman has the potential to be a feminist."

The center, which has been operating since 1973,also gives women a chance to participate as leaders in the community and student government. As a student volunteer for the resource center, Henderson worked as the Associated Students Inc. women's commissioner, serving as a liaison between A.S.I Senate officers and all women on campus.

In addition to the programs offered by the center, many student organizations, especially those that are targeted toward women, hold meetings in the center's facilities, including Latinas Unidas, Asian American Women ­ Bridging Generations, and the Lesbian Feminist Discussion Group.

The center provides programming and services free to students, faculty, staff and the community through donations and an operating budget provided though Student Services.

"The resource center is a bridge between disciplines, and all levels," Henderson said. "Juniors and seniors, mentors and students, women in school as well as the community."