Jill Smith
Staff Writer
[email protected]

To target the increase of students in need, the Women’s Center now offers a wider variety of programs, including resources to support sexual assault survivors and disadvantaged students. 

The Center’s mission is to promote gender equity and inclusion in their services and programs, according to the Women’s Center website.

Abigail Cox, director of the Women’s Center, said it’s important for students to feel valued beyond the classroom. 

“We recognize that there are needs that we can help meet and that there are services that we can provide that will prepare students for the future they hope to have,” Cox said.

In a partnership with Lotus, a regional sexual assault advocacy center, the Women’s Center will offer a “Student Survivor Space” this semester. 

“The Student Survivor Space is scheduled to be offered monthly and is an opportunity for survivors to share resources and support that were helpful, while also sharing with us additional resources that we could add for more support,” Cox said. “It’s a collaboration to see where we can get better and also give survivors an avenue to make a difference on campus.”

The Center will now also offer free LivWell HIV testing and safe sex items once a month. The next LivWell event will be Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m in the Oakley Applied Science Building. 

The Center’s previous programs will still be offered this semester.

One of these services is the Leadership Luncheon Series, a partnership between the Women’s Center and the Office of Alumni Relations

In this series, students have the opportunity to meet and network with Murray State alumnae who work in the professional world.

Cox said the series provides group opportunities for personal interaction between students and professionals. 

“This is a very casual mentoring opportunity,” Cox said. “I like to describe it as more of a lunch date with friends. Our speakers are passionate Murray State alumnae who want to invest in current students.”

Cox said the alumnae share advice with students about what they should take out of their college experience.

 “Many of them had amazing experiences on campus that launched them in one direction or the other and they want to create those opportunities for students,” Cox said. “For students, the informal small-group setting gives them the opportunity to ask questions and build relationships with the speakers.”

In November 2018, the Center opened the Bra Closet, which is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  

Any student in need of a bra can visit the Bra Closet during operating hours and receive two free, gently-used bras. 

Cox said she still works to promote the closet across campus and connect with more students, even though the need for the closet has increased since opening.

“COVID interrupted that [need] a bit, but with our newsletter going out to all undergraduate women, we feel pretty confident that we are getting the word out effectively,” Cox said. “Our [residential] halls also help us spread the resource by hosting us for pop Bra Closets in the halls.” 

Students in need of period products can also visit the Center for a one-time need or a short-time supply. Residential advisers are also supplied with period products to hand out to students in need. 

To donate period products and gently-used bras, visit the Women’s Center located in C102 of the Oakley Applied Science Building. 

To keep up with events hosted by the Women’s Center, follow them on Instagram at msu.womenscenter or email Abigail Cox at [email protected] to receive a monthly newsletter about the Center and its programs.