Women's Caucus

The University Women's Caucus, formed in 1974, is an organization of women whose concerns include actively advancing the welfare of women throughout the university. Specifically, the caucus:

aids affirmative-action efforts to recruit and retain women
lobbies for equal treatment in salary, rank, tenure, promotion, research leave, and responsibilities
sponsors workshops and presentations on a wide variety of topics for personal and professional development
provides a forum to discuss policies and decisions affecting women on campus https://odu.edu/orgs/womens-caucus/

Co-organizers of the Faculty Women’s Caucus of 1974

Carolyn Rhodes

Dorothy Johnson

Read an excerpt from an oral history interview with Dorothy Johnson on Sept. 26, 1980 discussing the Caucus

"Affirmative Action at ODU." Letter by Carolyn Rhodes, June 19, 1979, Virginian-Pilot

"Unbiasing." Letter by Carolyn Rhodes, Sept. 28, 1976, Virginian-Pilot

Article from the Mace and Crown discussing the formation of a student women's caucus

Building a Woman-Friendly Campus:
Some Selected Achievements of the Old Dominion University Women’s Caucus

from https://odu.edu/orgs/womens-caucus

Surveys : Since 1974, the Caucus has sponsored a number of surveys. The most recent survey was done in 2004-2005. Based on this survey, the Caucus will provide a series of opportunities for women and minorities to discuss their concerns and suggestions with various administrators and suggest solutions for the perceived "chilly climate" on campus.

2004-05 Survey Results

Salary and Equity : In the early years of the Caucus, members learned that at every rank women were earning about $1000.00 a year less than men. Now the Caucus completes annual salary and equity reviews for both faculty and faculty administrators and makes recommendations for gender and equity adjustments. Although the administration would prefer less frequent reviews, the Caucus encourages them to continue annual reviews.

Promotion and Tenure : By 1980, the Caucus had begun sponsoring workshops on faculty tenure and promotion; these are usually held in the spring.

Safety : Since 1974, the Caucus has worked with University officials and police on issues of campus safety such as adequate lighting, the campus escort service, and sexual assault. In 2001, the University formed its first "official" Safety Committee.

Sexual harassment : The Caucus funded an expert on sexual harassment to meet with administrators and faculty. Partly as a result of these meetings, in the mid 1980's the current sexual harassment policy was adopted.

Family Matters: The Caucus was instrumental in helping revise the tenure policy for faculty, allowing faculty to temporarily stop the 'tenure clock' when they must care for dependents. The Board of Visitors approved this revision in 2002. For many years, members of the Caucus worked with faculty and administrators to provide more adequate childcare on campus and day care became available in the Child Development Center in the mid 1990's. As a result, the situation has improved somewhat, but issues of childcare remain a concern for many women on campus.

Speakers: In cooperation with other campus organizations, the Caucus has sponsored and co-sponsored a series of speakers on subjects important to women, including professional advancement, racism, safety, finance, negotiating skills, health, and managing stress.

Organizations That Benefit Women : Partly because of Caucus efforts, the Women's Center, Women's Studies and the AA/EO office were established in the mid 1970's.

Professional and Moral Support: The Caucus provides opportunities for women to network, share information, and mentor each other. Through the list-serve, web page, and announcements, Caucus members can share information about opportunities for the advancement of women and minorities at Old Dominion University and at other universities. The Caucus supports services and programs for both the Women's Center and Women's Studies. The achievements of women are recognized both on the Caucus web page and at an annual award ceremony for women who have made positive contributions to the cause of women at the University.

Plaques hang in Webb Center's Honor Hall with Women's Caucus Past Presidents and Annual Award Recipients.

Award Winners

(updated 2/2024)

1987	Lindsey Rettie	2005	Barbara Winstead
1988	Karen Polonko	2006	Janet Katz
1989	Carolyn Rhodes	2007	Brenda Neumon Lewis
1990	Jane Hager	2008	Ruth Triplett
1991	Shirley Glover	2009	Karen Vaughan
1992	Maggi Curry-Williams	2010	Janet Bing
1993	Sue Gelo-Doviak	2011	Kathy Pim Meredith
1994	Julie Dodd	2012	Morel Fry
1995	Mikki Flowers	2013	Sheila Powell
1996	Lorraine Connaughton	2014	Vaughan Frederick
1997	Glenda Humphreys	2015	Carol Simpson
1998	Wendy Larry	2016	Tancy Vandecar-Burden
1999	Janis Sanchez	2017	Holly Gaff
2000	Debbie Byrne	2018	Yvette Pearson
2001	Anita Fellman	2019	Narketta Sparkman-Keys
2002	Judy Bowman	2020	Carolyn Lawes
2003	Renee Olander	2021	Lesa Clark
2004	Mona Danner	2022	Lisa Mayes

Past Presidents