The Early Years
The Center's first, temporary home was in University Hall as a part of the University College wing. In March of 1978, the Center for Women officially opened in Scott House. Dean Mary Ann Heinrichs of the University College acted as the Director. Its purpose, as written in the campus publication "The Alumnus," was cooperation and coordination. "Its staff is cooperating with adults in the Toledo area to establish communications between them and the University. Also the staff is coordinating programs and services of the University for use by the community." (The Alumnus, April, 1978)
Scott House and Other Facilities
In its first few years of operation, Center services were geared mostly toward the Toledo community. Services such as counseling and refresher courses were available to all and focused on helping women return to school after time spent with family or working. Workshops and seminars such as the Brown Bag Lunch program focused on alternatives in academic, career and personal planning. At this time, the center also offered refresher courses in many subjects, such as math, English, and science. Most were free at this time. With the advent of the Displaced Homemaker Program, the Center became a vital resource for women rejoining the work force.
Cindy Colvin, Career Counselor
In 1980, the Center was renamed the Catharine S. Eberly Center in honor of one of its first Advisory Board members. Kate Eberly was a staunch supporter of the Center and had served as the Chairwoman of its Advisory Committee until her death in an automobile accident in November of 1979. The dedication of December 7, 1980 included the unveiling of a portrait of Kate Eberly by Walter Chapman which has hung in the Center's many homes ever since.
The invitation to the Dedication Ceremony
In 1984, the Center Advisory Board recommended that the Center expand services to target the university population as well. The Center facilities, such as the library and programs or seminars, were not widely used by university students and faculty. There are many possible causes for this: a lack of information about the services offered and the location of the center, the University's status as a commuter school, and the duplication of some programming by other centers and departments.
The Center provides a wide array of services and programming for women.
With this expansion of focus came a number of new programs and an adjustment of some of the old ones. A "Meet the Center" program was established on campus to acquaint students, faculty, and staff with the center and its services. New campus programs were limited to subjects not offered by other university sources, such as a course on financial basics for women, which was well attended.
Logo for the Center for Women