NOTE: By signing this petition, you are acknowledging your support to establish a Womens Center space and staff at NDSU, which will coordinate efforts to eliminate barriers to women's full participation in society through education, involvement with all university and community committees and organizations, contribution to the development and implementation of policies, and a growing number of other opportunities.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE GIRLS
Raise Your Voice
Petition for a Womens Center at NDSU

WHY?
Its simple, really...

Here are just a few national statistics verifying barriers to womens advancement

Lack of mentoring opportunities: Women 70\%, Men 38\%

Commitment to personal and family responsibilities: Women 69\%, Men 53\%

Exclusion from informal networks of communication: Women 67\%, Men 25\%

Lack of women role models: Women 65\%, Men 35\%

Failure of senior leadership to assume accountability for women's advancement: Women 62\%, Men 22\%

Stereotyping and preconceptions of women's roles and abilities, Women 61\%, Men 27\%

Lack of opportunities to take on visible and/or challenging assignments: Women 54\%, Men 12\%


In the United States

More than 500 women survive rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault each day.
Homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women.
Four women are murdered by male partners every day.
An estimated 50,000 women and children are trafficked annually for sexual exploitation or forced labor.

All this leads me to the conclusion that there is a cultural belief that women are accessible and available at all times for all purposes.

Women over the age of 35 earned 75\% of what their male counterparts earned.
On average, families of working women lose $9,575.00 due to the earnings gap.
Female Elementary and Middle School teachers earn 10\% less than men holding the same positions, even though they make up 82\% of the field.
Female physicians and surgeons earn 39\% less than male physicians and surgeons.

All this leads me to the conclusion that there is a cultural belief that a woman is a cheap substitute for a man.

-Kristin Kitko, Singer/Songwriter


Its not just a nation thing. Its a community thing. These injustices are among us. NDSU needs and deserves the same support, education, and access our fellow femme collegians are provided through their university womens centers.

ALL this leads me to the conclusion that WE need a WOMENS CENTER here on campus.