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Women's Resource Center (WRC)
The WRC aims to deepen the conversation about gender and enable success for women by:
- Developing women leaders in all professions, with a focus on engaging young women.
- Advocating for gender inclusiveness and equality in the Adventist Church, with a clearer understanding of the Scriptures in relation to women.
- Documenting and celebrating the contributions women make to their churches, local communities, and the broader world.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER
- The La Sierra University Board of Trustees established the Women’s Resource Center in 1996. A transitional team was appointed that set up the advisory council, identified a director, and created a framework for programming which began the following year.
- The Center has been instrumental in gathering and documenting the stories of women pastors, chaplains, elders and Bible workers. Many of these stories have been used by the SDA Church denomination, as well as independent SDA media outlets, to identify, engage and publicize Adventist women better as pastors, chaplains, and denominational leaders.
- One of the Center’s most valued offerings, its annual “Women and the Word” conference, brings people together to exegete the Scriptures by, with, and for women. The conference’s gender-sensitive lens is based firmly on Scripture and the writings of early Adventist thinkers. The conference is a leading venue for networking and collaboration among women pastors and chaplains. Its presentations of theological and religious research found within the Seventh-day Adventist faith tradition are widely recognized and cited.
- The Centers’ archives include hundreds of first-hand stories about Adventist women who dedicated their lives to serving the Church, often without recognition or remuneration. In addition, the Center features a library with more than 2,500 books and periodicals available for in-depth research.
- As an academic center, the Center falls under the Provost’s Office according to the Faculty Handbook. Given its unique interdisciplinary focus, the Center has been overseen by the College of Arts and Sciences. However, its original proposal to the Board of Trustees was written by two female professors of theology and religion in the then-School of Religion, Dr. Madelyn Haldeman and Dr. Ginger Hanks-Harwood. Its activities continue to be coordinated closely with the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School.
- Like all academic centers at La Sierra University, the Center is self-sustaining. Only the cost of its space and utilities, as well as a small portion of the budget for the Center’s director, is provided by La Sierra University.
- Initial funding for the Center was provided by the Association of Adventist Women as well as private individuals committed to gender equality in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Additional support was provided by Jim Cress, then-ministerial secretary of the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Currently the Center enjoys the support of approximately 750 private donors, as well as about a dozen foundations and Adventist-owned companies. These supporters provide 100 percent of the Center’s programming and operational expenses, including salaries for the director, staff, and student workers.
Contact Us
(951) 785-2470
(951) 785-2473 fax
wrc@lasierra.edu
Office Hours
Office Location
11498 Pierce St., Suite AA
Riverside, CA 92505
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About us
The Women's Resource Center serves students and faculty, as well as the wider Riverside community and Seventh-day Adventist faith community, by deepening the conversation about gender and providing information, resources and support on issues related to gender.
The Center encourages and advocates for women and minorities in positions of leadership across all disciplines, including both students and those already in the workplace; collaborates with service providers and others to increase awareness about women's and minority rights, prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, and to provide resources for healing and support; and creates opportunities to celebrate the history, accomplishments and contributions of women and girls to their world and faith communities through sponsored lectures and special events, film screenings, art exhibits, research fellowships, newsletters, and archival collections related to women leaders and thinkers.
Responding to its unique role as the only center of its kind at an institution of higher education within the Seventh-day Adventist church, the Women’s Resource Center at La Sierra University aims in particular to serve and support women clergy and those in ministry within the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. The Center maintains a special library and archival collection of more than than 3,000 books, journals, pamphlets, posters audio recordings, and news files focused on gender. It is in the process of digitizing its holdings and developing new publications and resources related to women and religion.
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Be an Intern or Volunteer!
Assisting with the non-profit programs of the Women's Resource Center provides an opportunity for you to gain valuable work experience while also supporting women on our campus, in our church and throughout the community. Our interns and volunteers provide vital contributions to the work of the Center. Volunteering long-distance is also possible for those interested in speaking, conducting research, or supporting a specific program.
If you are interested, please contact Sasha Ross, WRC Director, at (951) 785-2470 or by e-mail.