Archive

Organization of the Women's League

1896

Mrs. Baker (the president's wife), Miss Rippon, and several women students organized the Women's League with the purpose of bringing together all women in the university to support the development of women on campus.

First Mention of Associated Students of the University of Colorado (ASUC)

1902 / 1903

The Associated Students of the University of Colorado, the precursor to the University of Colorado Student Union and eventually, the University of Colorado Student Government, first appeared in 1902 / 1903. The ASUC's membership was made up of every male student registered at the University.

The Women's League becomes the Women's Self Governing Association (WGSA)

1914

A meeting was held in which Self Governance for Women was passed and the Women's League became the Women's Self Governing Association (WGSA).

Women's Self Governing Association (WGSA) becomes the Associated Women Students.

1926

The Women's Self Governing Association reorganized and revised their rules, becoming the Associated Women Students.

ASUC and AWS merge and become the University of Colorado Student Union.

1967

Students wanted more representation and voted for a new constitution. As a part of this change, the Associated Students of the University of Colorado, which was men-only, merged with the Associated Women Students. They were then reorganized under the tri-executives and the name was changed from Associated Students of the University of Colorado to the University of Colorado Student Union.

Rapline created

1969

The Rapline, a crisis line for students who need support, including victims of sexual assault, was created. Rapline phones were installed in the next year. At the time, Rapline was one of only 3 or 4 such hotlines in the country.

Women's Liberation Coalition Formed

1972 / 1973

The Women's Liberation Coalition (WLC) first appeared in the University of Colorado Student Directory.

Women's Liberation Coalition Ratifies Constitution

1976

The Women's Liberation Coalition (WLC) ratifies its constitution with the specific goals of the destratification of gender, elimination of sexism, provision of resources for women, and organization of the Take Back the Night March.

Women's Liberation Coalition becomes the Feminist Alliance

1979

The Women's Liberation Coalition officially becomes the Feminist Alliance. The Feminist Alliance clarifies its goals to be the following: to help women, providing information, organizing activities, supporting all women, providing a library, dispensing information of resources for women on and off campus.

The First Take Back the Night March!

October 5, 1979

The Feminist Alliance organized the first ever Take Back the Night March. The march was designed with the intention to provide one night a year that women could walk freely without fear or protection.

Lesbian Caucus organizes and co-sponsors Safehouse benefit

1979 - 1980

The Lesbian Caucus organized and co-sponsored the Safehouse benefit during International Women's week. In the same school year, an anti-rape march was also organized and co-sponsored in cooperation with the Lesbian Caucus.

Take Back the Night March co-sponsored by the Lesbian Caucus

1980 - 1981

Lesbian Caucus co-sponsors the Take Back the Night march with the Feminist Alliance.

Feminist Alliance Actions!

1982 - 1983 school year

This school year, the Feminist Alliance presented a self-defense workshop before the Take Back the Night march, staged protests against pornography as it perpetuated rape culture, helped publicize a silent vigil in protest of the rape that occured in New Bedford, distributed rape whistles, and advertised the nightwalk/nightride program at CU.

The Feminist Alliance publishes its inaugural issue of Women's News

February 20, 1984

The Feminist Alliance published its inaugural issue of Women's News, a free-to-the-public newsletter intended to inform the women's community of important news, to provide a forum of expression, and to connect women's groups together. The newsletter also reviewed books, poems, and films and provided a calendar of events and important dates in history.