Words matter.
Names matter.
“SHE REFUSED TO RETURN WITH HIM.” Here on the Palko POV, you, reader, get to see my journeys across Grounds from my point of view. I hope to shed light on current trending topics, whether that’s through my favorite fictional heroines or through historical examples from our culture’s long and mighty struggle with complex sex and gender identities. As the Center’s engagements in the University community bring me into contact with students, colleagues, alumni and others whose work is relevant to ours, I try to bring you a glimpse into the present-day perspectives they’ve shared with us.

Before coming here two years ago, I contemplated all of the possibilities this position would bring with excitement – excitement tinged with just a note of trepidation at the thought of stepping away from the classroom. This spring, I’ve been grateful to return to the classroom to teach a course for our interns. It reminds me that finding out what we stand for, expanding what we know, is an ongoing project.

I missed a few months of blogging, absorbed with
overseeing the renovation of our building. I'm happy to announce that we are back and settled into our "new" old space!
Walking through the front door now evokes echoes of a Hemingway title: the Women's Center is a "clean, well-lighted place" now where we are proud to welcome students for our internships, our mentoring programming, our counseling and wellness services, and our lounges where they can just hang out. Some days, I make a cup of tea and wander up the back stairs, down the front stairs, over to the lower level stairs, just taking in the sight of colleagues and students bringing the Corner Building to life. 
​To make up for lost time, I've got months of posts from the Palko POV lined up to share with you. I hope to spark some thoughts and conversations!

For those of us who are inclined to take this time of year as an opportunity to reflect and find a theme running through past months, 2017 offers abundant food for thought. Moving into 2018, we are challenged to simultaneously assess and act. 

​In countries around the world, something as simple as a carefully constructed string of colored beads can enable birth attendants to guide birthing women and their babies safely through “the most dangerous day.” Here in Charlottesville, traditional approaches inform the ways that our Rodriguez Lecturer Rachel Zaslow teaches women to help each other achieve better outcomes for families of color. 

August 21 saw ‘Hoos gathering all over Grounds – reconnecting with friends, welcoming the Class of 2021, viewing the solar eclipse, and stepping into new roles for the 2017-2018 year.