In the first half century, the center has had several locations on campus. It travelled from room 104 in the Administration building to room 109. Room 109 was left behind when the center moved into the Journalism building that stood on the corner of Line St. and Idaho Ave.
Now residing in room 109 of the Memorial Gym, the center stands firm with the same convictions.
“We envision a Vandal family that promotes women’s full participation in a safe, supportive and affirming environment that values the contributions of all members of our university community,” is the mission statement on the center’s website.
Melanie Curiel Velasco, a junior studio art and design major, started her journey with the center her freshman year at the University of Idaho. Once she heard the goals of the center on a campus tour, Velasco knew it was a program she needed to be a part of.
“I had never heard of something like that before,” Velasco said. “It gave me sense of security that I can go there and feel welcome.”
Lysa Salsbury, the center’s director since 2013, says its foundation came at a crucial time for inclusion in the Vandal community. In 1972, 35% of students at the UI were women. Out of those women, 25-30% would drop out every year, according to Salsbury.
Vandals needed a change. Vandals needed a community. The Women’s Center became that community.
“We create conditions to eliminate inequality. We are a source of education and information,” Salsbury said.
Velasco said she hopes the entire campus utilizes what the center offers.
“I hope everyone knows that even though we are called a women’s center, men can go in and use our resources,” Velasco said.
Rachel Norris, the office on violence against women project coordinator, agreed that the center is a place anyone can go to for help.
“As a survivor myself, I want to give back to the university. I want to help make this campus trauma-informed,” Norris said.
Salsbury said that amongst the inequity in enrollment, the initial years of the center saw wage disparity and a lack of advancement opportunity. Women were just legally allowed to play collegiate athletics with the passing of Title IX the same year the center came to fruition.
Norris said the center is full of staff that are committed to help in any form. With many inequal opportunities and experiences prevalent on campus, the center works to open doors that would otherwise stay closed.
The center has worked relentlessly to combat these inequities. From confidential advocates, food pantries to free menstrual products, the center provides resources for women to find help on their own campus. Norris says help isn’t far. Help is in the Memorial Gym.
The recent memo about abortion brought a flood of students to the center with many questions. Students did not know what the advice meant for them. Salsbury reassured those she saw that the center’s job did not change.
The center is a resource for students to find support, opportunity and simply someone to talk with. Salsbury said the center still has work to do.
“I hate to say it, but we haven’t advanced very far,” Salsbury said.
She said wage disparities are still present, opportunities still need to grow and women still need support. The center hopes to create lasting change in the next 50 years.
“With the climate in Idaho, I won’t be out of a job any time soon,” Salsbury said.
Joanna Hayes can be reached at [email protected]