FALL RIVER — The new Women’s Center at Bristol Community College is a place to chat, a place to study, a place to borrow a blouse or suit for an upcoming interview, but mostly an all-inclusive safe space that encourages growth and freedom.
Bristol President Laura L. Douglas celebrated the opening of the new on-campus Women’s Center on Thursday for Women’s History Month. It joined the Joseph A. Marshall Veteran’s Center that opened last year, as well as the Health Center, Multicultural Student Center, Luso Center and Holocaust Center.
Douglas said there was a need for such an organization that “addresses the needs of the whole person” and will reduce barriers for women “by working together,” as well as providing education and awareness.
“The work we do regarding women and gender equality continues to be necessary,” Douglas said.
Located in a recently renovated space in the Thomas A. Rodgers Science Building E, the new Women’s Center expanded the virtual center in place for the past few years, and an earlier center that was on campus from 1986 to 1995.
“I’m here today because of the many women before me,” said Women’s Center Director Iva Brito.
She said the new center will cater to all students “regardless” of gender or sexual identity.
It will provide workshops, seminars, lectures, and events to “raise awareness” of women’s rights and “provide a save and supportive space.”
A study area, professional wardrobe closet, library, family planning, resource area, and lactation space will be some of the offerings, along with emotional and crisis support.
“We need to celebrate ourselves as women,” Brito said.
Douglas said some 63 percent of students at Bristol are women, and 57 percent are over age 21.
“What some call a non-traditional student, we call a traditional student,” Douglas said.
Many of those female students are juggling jobs, children, and other barriers to their education that can “derail their best intentions.”
A solution for those students is feeling they have supports in place, like the Women’s Center, to help them achieve their goals in a place that addresses “academic, social and emotional needs,” Douglas said.
The new center will “help empower people,” said Keri Branquinho, a Bristol alum and junior at Bridgewater State College.
Branquinho said she was the victim of oppression in former jobs, but “grew” as a student at Bristol and found her voice.
“I believe the Women’s Center will provide that for people,” Branquinho said. “We are strong as a whole, and we should support each other.”
To learn more about the center, contact Brito at Iva.Brito@BristolCC.edu or 774-357-2954.
Email Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com.