Service Learning Proposal
For Equal
(Formerly G.L.B.S.U. of UCF)
Jen Ackerman
Johana Vanegas
Jennifer Smith
Rachel Miles
Alexandria Bergeron
11 February 2010
Professor Nina Perez
Introduction to Women’s Studies, WST 3015
Community Partner: Equal at UCF
Address: P.O. Box 163245 • Orlando, FL • 32816-3245
Contact: Rebecca Marques
786-271-5382
RMarques@knights.ucf.edu
Equal at UCF Community Profile
Mission Statement:
Equal's mission is to provide a safe environment for students to interact and network with each other, engage in social activities, and develop personal character without fear of discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and to provide support and resources for students who have experienced such discrimination.
Political/ Social Basis:
Equal's vision is a campus environment where GLBTQ students can feel both a sense of self-worth and pride in their individual diversity and a sense of community and belonging, and where all students can expect to be treated equally, regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Equal strives to educate its members and the university community about sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender issues, and about issues that affect the GLBTQ community and provide opportunities for the personal and professional growth and development of its members.
Equal’s Needs:
To fully utilize the student body, Equal will need all of its volunteers to be active and committed to our vision of equality. To make sure our goals get met, volunteers will have to expect rigorous schedule of deadlines and work. Work will include behind-the-scenes organizing as well as field work of petitioning and tabling.
The following is a proposal to outline the needs, rationale and feasibility for a service learning project to benefit GLBT student body and faculty. The following proposal contains background on the need for and benefits of getting gender identity listed on the Non-Discrimination policy project, an outline of the work I plan to do, the rationale for its inclusion in WST 3015, and a scheduled timeline. This proposal may need to be revised after beginning the project and must be flexible to meet the needs of the both the service learning project and the community partner.
Need for:
Volunteers who are committed to working for a safer campus that protects its GLBT students and faculty. Volunteers will be expected to help in any way possible including: helping promote the event, outreach to other campus organizations to raise awareness, collect signatures, table in front of the union, and do other various technical tasks.
Plan Proposal:
Our plan is to volunteer for Equal at UCF under Rebecca Marques who is organizing the petition and protest of UCF’s Non- Discrimination Policy. As of right now UCF’s Non-Discrimination Policy does not include gender identity
under the list of minorities currently covered. We will be tabling, petitioning, organizing and participating in the protest and hopeful addition of gender identity to the Non- Discrimination Policy. This project meets the need of the our
Community Partner Equal because one of their goals is to “create a community where gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GLBTQ) students and their allies can feel safe, welcome, and proud, where they can interact and grow with out fear of harassment or discrimination.” Presently the GLBTQ community on our campus is vulnerable to abuse and intolerance which is something that needs to be changed immediately.
Women’s Studies:
Since one of the core principles of feminism is the belief in social, political, and economic equality of all sexes and people, we believe as a group that this project completely encompasses the value and ideals of this course. We are fighting for the protection of this minority, so this group of people feels safe under the Non- Discrimination Policy and on our campus. We are hoping that this project results in more awareness of intolerance, specifically for the
transgendered, and an education in equality for all.
Action:
This project has already begun with meetings and will continue with persistent planning and organizing. The first steps of the project include off campus out-reach and contacting those in the greater community who could also support us. Initially the five members of this group will be Rebecca Marques’ main group of volunteers. We will work directly under her and assist her with paper work, petition-making, tabling and recruiting. Each of one of us will have different responsibilities including creating and running the website (event page) for our project, collecting and sending our petition sheets and letters to the President of the UCF, organizing and planning the tabling efforts, running and assisting in the actual protest for our cause, and lastly fulfilling recruiting and promoting for the event.
As a group we will be working under Rebecca Marques who is an active Equal member on the UCF campus. We will need to be devoted and very serious about the cause in order to really achieve the equality we are striving for.
Timeline:
Event page created February 12th
Group Meeting February 15th
Petition forms created and distributed February 15th
to members
Speak and attend EQUAL meeting February 16th
Group Meeting February 19th
Group Meeting February 24th
Informational video February 26th
Video showcase to EQUAL March 2nd
Group Meeting March 2nd
Newspaper article March 8-11th
Group Meeting March 16th
Tabling and signature gathering March 1st- April 22nd
Emails sent to President Hitt March 1st- April 22nd
Group Meeting April 26th
Event (petition turn in) Tentative date April 28th
Monday, February 15, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Advertisement Blog Image
Skyy Vodka. Advertisement. The Sin City Siren. 8 Jan. 2008. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
The Skyy Might Actually Be Falling Down
I did not have to look very long to stumble upon a very interesting Skyy Vodka advertisement sending a brief but very clear message. In the visual advertisement I chose, there is a well dressed man standing over a barely covered woman who was tightly grasping the vodka bottle and two martini glasses. The women is positioned between his legs and is looking up at him while raising her sunglasses, with the upper half of this body cut off. Right away I was drawn to the position of the bodies in this ad. This image seems to really revolve around it. Rosemarie Garland Thompson says “within Western thought, female bodies and disabled bodies are viewed as “deviant and inferior,” and this completely comes through in this picture (Kirk, Rey 207). The man’s dominance is immediately established as he towers over the woman, and because his body is so much bigger than her, his face cannot be shown. This image shows him having total superiority over her. With him standing like that she is vulnerable to anything. Culturally this image is a perfect example of objectification, the degradation of something to no more than a simple object (Kirk, Rey 208). It is clear the woman is just there waiting for his directions, she is merely a body and obviously just his body.
The woman in this is not smiling, but she is not resisting the situation either. As the man hovers over her, she simply looks up. I feel that this response to what is happening can be misconceived as how women are supposed to act towards men. The authors of our text say in the first chapter how women are “socialized” to care for them and spare their feelings,” this is exactly what is going on (Kirk, Rey 5). The woman doesn’t seem to have much a choice. This man wants to drink and so she must do as she’s told. For women who see this, a very disturbing message is being sent about about the hierarchy of men and women. Also in this picture, the women’s body is very unrealistic, her pose is very machine-like and flawless, contributing even more to the objectification of her. Her body is perfectly tanned and while you cannot quite make out her face, her breasts are in clear view and are distracting for the rest of the advertisement.
Overall, I find this image to be an extremely negative portrayal of women and men. For women’s body images, this is just another advertisement stocked full of unrealistic beauty standards and culturally, it is furthering the unconscious belief that men are superior to women or that women are men’s simple subordinate. For men, this image is cultivating the dogma of men’s masculinity and their need to strive to be dominant of women. This advisement subtly promotes Skyy Vodka, but to a greater extent encourages cultural and social inequalities for men and women. It defies what feminism stands for by exaggerating the differences between men and women, and in the end makes me personally never want to purchase Skyy Vodka.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Rey. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. New York: McGraw-Hill Humanities, 2001. Print.
Skyy Vodka. Advertisement. The Sin City Siren. 8 Jan. 2008. Web. 7 Feb. 2010. .
Monday, February 1, 2010
Mary Poppins Should Have Used Her Magic for the Movement Not The Banks Family
“'We have forgotten the history of the country when we have forgotten to agitate when it is necessary,” this was said by Woodrow Wilson on September 8, 1916 ("Memorable quotes for Iron Jawed Angels."). And if Iron Jawed Angels captured the art of anything, it was the art of agitation. HBO’s Iron Jawed Angels illustrated the Women’s Suffrage Movement, and provides a very vivid look at the women who took part in the progression of Women’s rights and also those who fought against it. Similarly the classic Disney movie Mary Poppins, also gives a glimpse of the suffrage movement but with a definite lighter and almost campy twist. Both films manifest some very strong themes of the movement, however while Iron Jawed Angels keeps a very grave tone throughout, through Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins the movement comes off as more of a fun hobby.
During Iron Jawed Angels the male and female relationships vary throughout. There is a clear yet troubled romance between Ben Weissman and Alice Paul, where the dominance of Alice Paul is never disturbed and she makes it clear where her heart really lies. This relationship demonstrates how the most of women made very large sacrifices for their cause. Also in the film is the marriage of Emily Leighton and her senator husband. Here there is at first a backlash from the senator when his wife supports Alice Paul and the movement. He takes away her allowance and basically denies her the right to take part, but when she is arrested the true essence of this relationship comes out. As stated in our text “In our society, women are socialized to care for men and to spare their feelings, but recognizing and discussing institutional inequalities between women as a group and men as a group are very different front (Kirk, Rey 5).” This relationship shows this concept and shows that the movie was not about a bunch of men-haters, but women who wanted equality, and women who understood the differences in men and women’s treatment and wanted to change it. In Mary Poppins Mrs. Banks appears as a busy suffragist supporter who, along with her children, is feeling the neglect from her top-notch banker husband. Mr. Banks carelessly write offs the movement along with many other aspects in his family life. I think this is a pretty clear depiction of what it may have been like when the movement was actually going on. Just like Senator Leighton, Mr. Banks doesn’t pay much attention but we see by the end of Iron Jawed Angels the senator does his part. Both of these movies show differing relationships whether they are supportive or harmful to the movement and the women in them. Generally marriage comes off as an institution of great loyalty and strength, in both movies the main marriage examples end strong and successful.
Overall, all types of men are shown in both of theses films. In Iron Jawed Angels there are the men who really did not want to extend the right to vote for women such as president Wilson and his staff, then there are the men who are somewhat apathetic such as Ben Weissman and the senator, but ultimately both end up supporting, and lastly there are large crowds shown multiple times, mostly comprised of angry, furious men. I think this movie did a good job showing the different roles men played in the time period and also with showing how the men had different reactions. In the last few minutes of the movie it shows the last member of the house changing his vote because of a telegram from his mother, this was extremely symbolic because it made clear how ultimately the men were swayed when they were challenged enough to think about it. In Mary Poppins, Mr. Banks doesn’t really pay attention to anything including Mrs. Banks’ heavy devotion to the cause, pretty much just illustrating another unconcerned male.
After watching both of these films I think they both took an interesting view on the suffragist movement.With Iron Jawed Angels going into depth about the struggles, ups and downs, and ultimate victory. In Mary Poppins, the somewhat ditzy mother Mrs. Banks, was extremely enthusiastic about the movement but it just did not come off as serious. Even with her song “Sister Suffragette,” the lyrics, were strong, but its hard to take them seriously as they skip around the house. Although the two films gave two different looks at the movement as a whole and both illustrated contrasting roles and relationships with men and women.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Rey. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. New York: McGraw-Hill Humanities, 2001. Print.
"Memorable quotes for Iron Jawed Angels." The Internation Movie Database. IMDB.com Inc. Web. 29 Jan. 2010..
During Iron Jawed Angels the male and female relationships vary throughout. There is a clear yet troubled romance between Ben Weissman and Alice Paul, where the dominance of Alice Paul is never disturbed and she makes it clear where her heart really lies. This relationship demonstrates how the most of women made very large sacrifices for their cause. Also in the film is the marriage of Emily Leighton and her senator husband. Here there is at first a backlash from the senator when his wife supports Alice Paul and the movement. He takes away her allowance and basically denies her the right to take part, but when she is arrested the true essence of this relationship comes out. As stated in our text “In our society, women are socialized to care for men and to spare their feelings, but recognizing and discussing institutional inequalities between women as a group and men as a group are very different front (Kirk, Rey 5).” This relationship shows this concept and shows that the movie was not about a bunch of men-haters, but women who wanted equality, and women who understood the differences in men and women’s treatment and wanted to change it. In Mary Poppins Mrs. Banks appears as a busy suffragist supporter who, along with her children, is feeling the neglect from her top-notch banker husband. Mr. Banks carelessly write offs the movement along with many other aspects in his family life. I think this is a pretty clear depiction of what it may have been like when the movement was actually going on. Just like Senator Leighton, Mr. Banks doesn’t pay much attention but we see by the end of Iron Jawed Angels the senator does his part. Both of these movies show differing relationships whether they are supportive or harmful to the movement and the women in them. Generally marriage comes off as an institution of great loyalty and strength, in both movies the main marriage examples end strong and successful.
Overall, all types of men are shown in both of theses films. In Iron Jawed Angels there are the men who really did not want to extend the right to vote for women such as president Wilson and his staff, then there are the men who are somewhat apathetic such as Ben Weissman and the senator, but ultimately both end up supporting, and lastly there are large crowds shown multiple times, mostly comprised of angry, furious men. I think this movie did a good job showing the different roles men played in the time period and also with showing how the men had different reactions. In the last few minutes of the movie it shows the last member of the house changing his vote because of a telegram from his mother, this was extremely symbolic because it made clear how ultimately the men were swayed when they were challenged enough to think about it. In Mary Poppins, Mr. Banks doesn’t really pay attention to anything including Mrs. Banks’ heavy devotion to the cause, pretty much just illustrating another unconcerned male.
After watching both of these films I think they both took an interesting view on the suffragist movement.With Iron Jawed Angels going into depth about the struggles, ups and downs, and ultimate victory. In Mary Poppins, the somewhat ditzy mother Mrs. Banks, was extremely enthusiastic about the movement but it just did not come off as serious. Even with her song “Sister Suffragette,” the lyrics, were strong, but its hard to take them seriously as they skip around the house. Although the two films gave two different looks at the movement as a whole and both illustrated contrasting roles and relationships with men and women.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Rey. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. New York: McGraw-Hill Humanities, 2001. Print.
"Memorable quotes for Iron Jawed Angels." The Internation Movie Database. IMDB.com Inc. Web. 29 Jan. 2010.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
About Me Letter
Dear WST 3015,
My name is Jennifer Ackerman but I pretty much always go by Jen. I am currently a freshman at UCF if you look at my credits, if you don’t look at my credits I’m a sophomore, apparently UCF is the not best with accepting transfer credits. Which is also something about me, I transfered here last year from Emerson College in Boston. I went there thinking I could handle the distance and weather and was wrong about both. I am a huge Florida fan, and by that I mean I love this state. I would like to travel in the future but see myself dying here.
I took this class because I am currently on the hunt for a major or subject that I actually care about. I am currently a film major and see myself using film merely as a media tool for social change and progress. From there I realized I don't actually know much about anything. I thought Women's Studies would be interesting considering the political and social climate we are currently living in.
I like to think of myself as somewhat of an activist. In Boston I was very involved with various Queer issues including adoption rights, Transgender Domestic and Employment rights and of course the ever popular Gay Marriage. Most recently I participated in Washington DC’s Equality March this past October with about 250,000 other supporters. In the past I have done a lot of work raising money for and also protesting the horrible situation in Darfur. I find activism extremely important, and regardless of the cause or issue I really believe its something everyone should take part in at least one. I think the hard thing about activism is because it is such an vast word and includes so much, I don’t think people realize when they are participating. I guess I just find it a very fulfilling and very important part of living in this day and age.
On a very different topic, I am excited to take this class because the different genders and gender roles, gender in itself has always been an interest to me. Realizing I was lesbian at such a young age really shook things up for me before I had any stable grasp of what men and women were all about. I will admit though, I do not get along with most men. Now this is not because I am some man hating lesbian (those lesbians scare me), its honestly just something I have noticed and I would like to understand it more. I think I deep down I never paid much attention to gender roles because I never saw myself following them. I would say my knowledge goes as far as the regular stereotypes, women clean, men work, and so now. I’m thrilled to be learning more and becoming more aware of this topic and others like it.
If I haven’t said it enough I’ll say it again, I am very happy to be in this class and am looking forward to taking on the different challenges of the class. And on that note I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus and the blogging protocols.
My name is Jennifer Ackerman but I pretty much always go by Jen. I am currently a freshman at UCF if you look at my credits, if you don’t look at my credits I’m a sophomore, apparently UCF is the not best with accepting transfer credits. Which is also something about me, I transfered here last year from Emerson College in Boston. I went there thinking I could handle the distance and weather and was wrong about both. I am a huge Florida fan, and by that I mean I love this state. I would like to travel in the future but see myself dying here.
I took this class because I am currently on the hunt for a major or subject that I actually care about. I am currently a film major and see myself using film merely as a media tool for social change and progress. From there I realized I don't actually know much about anything. I thought Women's Studies would be interesting considering the political and social climate we are currently living in.
I like to think of myself as somewhat of an activist. In Boston I was very involved with various Queer issues including adoption rights, Transgender Domestic and Employment rights and of course the ever popular Gay Marriage. Most recently I participated in Washington DC’s Equality March this past October with about 250,000 other supporters. In the past I have done a lot of work raising money for and also protesting the horrible situation in Darfur. I find activism extremely important, and regardless of the cause or issue I really believe its something everyone should take part in at least one. I think the hard thing about activism is because it is such an vast word and includes so much, I don’t think people realize when they are participating. I guess I just find it a very fulfilling and very important part of living in this day and age.
On a very different topic, I am excited to take this class because the different genders and gender roles, gender in itself has always been an interest to me. Realizing I was lesbian at such a young age really shook things up for me before I had any stable grasp of what men and women were all about. I will admit though, I do not get along with most men. Now this is not because I am some man hating lesbian (those lesbians scare me), its honestly just something I have noticed and I would like to understand it more. I think I deep down I never paid much attention to gender roles because I never saw myself following them. I would say my knowledge goes as far as the regular stereotypes, women clean, men work, and so now. I’m thrilled to be learning more and becoming more aware of this topic and others like it.
If I haven’t said it enough I’ll say it again, I am very happy to be in this class and am looking forward to taking on the different challenges of the class. And on that note I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus and the blogging protocols.
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