1980s

OSW provided financial support for film rentals of interest to women and supported Women's Week programming.

Women's Studies, alongside the instrumental student group Association of Women Students (ASW), helped bring Gloria Steinem to campus in March 1981.
The first Women's Studies newsletter was published in September 1981 and became monthly in 1982.
OSW sponsored a talk by Margaret "Pinky" Hayden of the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Women's Studies influenced the revision of ASU policies regarding the appointment of "quasi-administrative" faculty positions.
Women's Studies cosponsored the "Leadership Development Conference" with the Center for Instructional Development.

In February 1982, OASIS began to staff a 24-hour crisis line for intimate partner and sexual violence.
OSW sponsored a talk by Faye Broyhill, Chairperson of the Appalachian Board of Trustees and formed a committee to study child care facilities at Appalachian. The resultant report was influential in expanding options for child care at the university.
OSW continued to support Women's Week programming.
OSW supported a study of nontraditional Students at Appalachian to determine their needs. This study resulted in the formation of a university task force on nontraditional students.
OSW cosponsored a workshop on "Ethics and Values in Higher Education" with the Philosophy and Religion Department and the CID.

OSW developed a questionnaire on sex discrimination at Appalachian.
Dr. Maggie McFadden received a quarter-time release and a quarter time grad assistant for directing Women's Studies.
Women's Studies consisted of:
- Dr. Maggie McFadden as quarter-time coordinator.
- Brian Anderson as the work-study student editor of the newsletter.
- Kim Duckett as the quarter-time graduate assistant.
Women's Studies obtained an office in D.D. Dougherty Hall.
Women's Studies submitted a proposal recommending a half-time coordinator, staff, a budget, and physical space for an office. It was not approved.

OSW supported a study by Dr. Joyce Crouch on rank and salary among men and women at Appalachian State University; the findings noted inequities.
OSW was influential in changing the name of the "Mountaineer Babes," a group of women students who were charged with welcoming football players to the Appalachian campus.
Sponsored events included an exhibit of serigraphs, lithographs, watercolors, and soft sculpture by Carol Wehunt (January 24-February 8) and an exhibit of paintings and prints by Miriam Schapiro (April 1-8); Schapiro also delivered a lecture.
Women's Studies sponsored a student writing contest with cash prizes.

OSW cosponsored a seminar on sexual harassment with the Boone Business and Professional Women's Club and the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma.
Sponsored events included an exhibit of paintings by Linda Burgess (September 21-October 30), a lecture by Laurie Triplett (November 7), and a workshop by Deanna Napoli (July 7-18).

Dr. Zohara Boyd (English) served as acting coordinator of Women's Studies while Dr. Maggie McFadden was on leave.
Sponsored events included an artist's talk on human images by Kathleen Jardin-Human; a lecture by Margaret Cusack (February 18); a gallery talk, workship, and demonstration by Bonnie Lucas (February 24-25); and a lecture by Mary Beth Boone and Bonnie Layne.
OSW was inactive during this period.

Sponsored events included a photography exhibit by Jean Cousins and Michele Cousins (July 27-September 10); a lecture by Nancy Miller on an exhibition of paintings, drawings, and sculpture by New York artists (September 9-October 8); a group exhibit by Constance Alford on "Abstraction" (December 9-February 5); an exhibit of women artists including Catherine Dunn, Elyse Littenburg, Janice Pittsley, and Nancy Spero (February 7-March 18); and paintings and drawings by Jane Horner as part of the Expo Invitational (May 6-June 17).

The university community recognized a need for a Women's Center on campus, but it was not established.
Women's Studies and IDS moved to the College of Arts and Sciences.
OSW sponsored a program on campus community led by Sally Atkins and a program on faculty salaries by Joyce Crouch.
Sponsored events included a figurative artists exhibition including work by Karen Mobley, Ann Schulte, Catherine Shepherd, Sheila Pitt, Taffy Beasley, Sharon Harper, and Cathryn Griffin (September 28-October 28); a pattern revival exhibit including work by Roberta Crown, Niva Marshall, Wendy Miller, Alice Pike, Carla Rodia, Diana Scott, and Mary Lou Stewart (November 9-December 16); a women artists exhibit featuring Pamela Becker, Ann Rowles, Marita Dingus, Mary Sayder Behvens, and Betty LaDuke (February 15-March 24); and a Betty LaDuke lecture (February 27).

The Women's Studies office moved to the first floor of East Hall.
"Take Back Our Lives/Take Back the Night" began organizing in October; the march (held in March) was attended by over 1000 people, and petitions received 500 signatories.
OSW was inactive due to overwhelming apathy in the face of the considerable efforts the organization made in 1987-88.
Women's Studies held an open house in November.
Women's Studies began publishing its newsletter four times per year.
Events included a Society of Illustrators exhibition with April Greiman (October 11-November 10) and a women in visual art exhibition featuring Mary Lou Wood (February 22-February 23).

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies