March is officially WOMENS NATIONAL HISTORY MONTH. It is my pleasure to highlight the achievements and social justice movements that women have paved along the way. From the earliest pioneers like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and to our present day Michelle Obama and Angela Davis. Women have always had a voice that men are constantly trying to suppress. But I must admit times have gotten better and we have grown as a society. There several pros and cons but at the end of the day no one can question a women's worth.
Although women now outnumber men in American colleges nationwide, the reversal of the gender gap is a very recent phenomenon. The fight to learn was a valiant struggle waged by many tenacious women—across years and across cultures—in our country. After the American Revolution, the notion of education as a safeguard for democracy created opportunities for girls to gain a basic education—based largely on the premise that, as mothers, they would nurture not only the bodies but also the minds of (male) citizens and leaders. The concept that educating women meant educating mothers endured in America for many years, at all levels of education.
Pioneers of secondary education for young women faced arguments from physicians and other “experts” who claimed either that females were incapable of intellectual development equal to men, or that they would be harmed by striving for it. Women’s supposed intellectual and moral weakness was also used to argue against coeducation, which would surely be an assault on purity and femininity. Emma Willard, in her 1819 Plan for Improving Female Education, noted with derision the focus of women’s “education” on fostering the display of youth and beauty, and asserted that women are “the companions, not the satellites of men”—“primary existences” whose education must prepare them to be full partners in life’s journey.
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of women whose commitment to nature and the planet have proved invaluable to society
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Alternative Spring Break
The 3rd Annual Metro State Alternative Spring Break
Sunday March 18 through Wednesday March 21
African Community Center and Safari Seconds
African Community Center and Safari Seconds
International volunteer experience in your community!
Students will be volunteering with the African Community Center and Safari Seconds during the 3rd Annual Alternative Spring Break. The African Community Center and Safari Seconds are local refugee resettlement programs which welcomes newcomers who have had to flee persecution within their home country. Refugees that they serve come to the United States from countries all over the world including Bosnia, Iran, Iraq, Vietnam, Burma, Congo, Burundi, the former Soviet Union, Somalia, Sudan, Liberia, and Eritrea.
The refugees arrive in the United States with minimal possessions and extremely limited funds. In order to address this need the Alternative Spring Break Toiletries Drive was created and takes place in the weeks leading up to Alternative Spring Break. Items that are needed include: toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo/conditioner, soap, and deodorant, in addition to any other toiletry items.
On Monday February 27th from 11:00-2:00 in the Tivoli’s Multicultural Lounge there will be a Alternative Spring Break and Toiletry Drive Kick Off Event. We will be getting the Metro State community excited about Alternative Spring Break by providing students, faculty, and staff with the opportunity to view pictures and videos from previous years, talk with former participants, talk with professionals from this field, listen to culturally rich music, and enjoy a light lunch.
We would love to see you at the Kick Off Event and have you sign up to attend this life changing volunteer opportunity known as Alternative Spring Break!
For more information please contact the Student Service Club at studentserviceclub@gmail.com or check out our website at www.studentserviceclub.com.
To apply for a spot on the Alternative Spring Break, please visit:
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Peace Breakfast
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The great American hero is what I prefer to call him along with many other titles such as our King, our Leader, our Hope and so forth. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent human being that will always proclaim his throne in history. He was such a passionate preacher while equipped with a captivating presence. He once said, “At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love”. What he stood for is still highly regarded in our present day.
We remember Martin Luther King Jr. because of what he instilled into the fabric of American Society. Which brings me to a strong valid point, to be in opposition to Dr. Kings ideas is to be in opposition of America. Seriously take a moment and think about humans and how we have grown, how we have changed into a progressive direction. Obviously social injustice is still alive and well all over the world, which makes me along with the rest of society aware of the long road ahead.
This year we will honor Dr. King’s legacy and the Dream he bestowed for all mankind to achieve. Thank you Dr. King for enduring hardships so the next generation will have life to breathe, like myself. Special shout out to a fellow student who has made her mark in the community. This year the MLK Peace Award goes to Candace L Johnson, a former employee in our very own office. CONGRATS!
Monday, January 9, 2012
1Book 1Project
This Spring semester of 2012 we have our annual 1Book 1Project, which is a recurring series open to all Metro State faculty, staff and students along with the public. Combining a book discussion with a related service project plus the idea that we can all be transformed and can, perhaps transform others by what we read and how we participate in our community.
Helen Thorpe is the author of “Just Like Us”, our feature book this semester. It tells the story of four high school students whose parents entered this country illegally from Mexico. We meet the girls on the eve of their senior prom in Denver, Colorado. All four of the girls have grown up in the United States and all four want to live the American Dream. But they discover that only the legal pair sees a clear path forward. Their friendship starts to divide along lines of immigration status.
Stop by our office Center for Urban Connections Tivoli 243 to inquire. THANKS!
-SGM
Happy New Years!
Welcome to the freshly brand new year of 2012, it’s another anticipated year to be alive! Here at the Center for Urban Connections our mission is continuing in the same direction. “We are dedicated to promoting collaborative relationships between Metropolitan State College of Denver and its surrounding community; provide resources for community partners, students, faculty staff and alumni. The center is committed to strengthening partnerships with neighbor organizations, enhancing and expanding community based learning and research opportunities, developing student leaders, supporting college wide service and outreach to advance the educational mission of the college and the common good. Inside or outside of class, the center seeks to enhance understanding of urban issues through meaningful involvement in urban solutions”.
-SGM
Monday, December 5, 2011
Ciao Ciao Servistas!
Fear brings out the unknown in everyone and because it is so unexpected the overall nervous feelings that you have, can make you not want to take the risk. From not being afraid of stepping out, I have seen that change, brings happiness and it allows you to have become your own explorer in life.
Its been a great experience writing for the blog and finding out more articles about community engagement and volunteering that are interesting to me and other Metro State students.
My hope is that with every blog, you can think about ways to change your thoughts of engaging with the community and especially change that which can open your eyes. Volunteering has helped me as a person understand my passions, and its essentially part of why I worked at the Center for Urban Connections.
I leave you all with two quotes,
Keep constantly in mind in how many things you yourself have witnessed changes already. The universe is change, life is understanding. - Marcus Aurelius
Life's most urgent question is.... what are you doing for others? - Martin Luther King Jr.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Have you heard about the MLK Peace Breakfast 2012?!
Martin Luther King Day is celebrated as a day to remember that justice and peace did occur, but we need peaceful, justice motivated and compassionate leaders in our community. For the past couple of years, Metro State has had the MLK Peace Breakfast to honor students, staff and faculty/ and community member(s) who advocate and are committed to social justice and helping this community. These individuals are chosen by their overall activism, involvement and dedication to what they do in the community. These leaders continue to inspire others to be community activists. If you would like to nominate someone who inspires you with community activism, please do so by this Wednesday, November 30th, 2011. Go to: www.mscd.edu/mlk .
and find out all the specifics of nominating, including an option to use an on-line submission form (new this year!). If you would like to submit a hard copy, you still can but make sure to follow all instructions on the website.
This year's theme, is Coming of Age: Solidifying the Dream .If you’re interested in attending the breakfast, here are all of the details!
Date: Friday, January 13, 2012
Time: 8:30am-10:30am
Where: Tivoli Turnhalle
Tickets will go on sale December 5th, 2011. This year, you can reserve and purchase a table for your office or individual department.
What do you think makes a good community activist? Tell us your thoughts and nominate someone today! http://www.mscd.edu/mlk
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