OIED Bids Farewell to Wendy Giddens

We congratulate Wendy Giddens on her retirement, official as of November 1, 2014. Wendy's retirement caps the end of a long career at NC State. She started in 1990 in the College of Veterinary Medicine, then moved to the Chancellor's Office in 1999. Wendy is the longest-serving member of the Diversity and Inclusion group in the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity and its precursors. She served as executive assistant for the vice provost for Diversity and African American Affairs, then the Office for Diversity and Inclusion from 2000 to 2011. She came to the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity when it was formed in 2011.

We will miss Wendy greatly, and in addition we will miss the watermelons, peaches, corn and other produce from her family's farm. After retirement, Wendy plans to continue working at John Hudson Farms, her family's farm in Newton Grove, North Carolina. We will also miss the photos and stories about her grandson and the community events in Newton Grove. Wendy is looking forward to having more free time to spend with all of her family and her community.

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2014 Human Rights Day Observance: Spotlight on Faculty

The annual Human Rights Day Observance for 2014 will be held on Friday, December 12, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. in Winslow Hall, Room 100. International Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10.

At this year’s program, Chancellor Woodson will carry out the traditional declaration signing and will also recognize faculty who volunteer in service that supports human rights. This is the third year in a series of events that spotlights members of the NC State community who commit their personal time to support human rights. Previously, this event included a spotlight on students, then on staff. Next year, we will spotlight alumni.

To help us identify faculty to be spotlighted at this year’s event, please complete the brief online form. Faculty, staff and administrators are asked to encourage their faculty colleagues who participate in service to submit their information. The deadline for submissions is November 26, 2014.

Women's Center Offers Domestic Awareness Exhibits for Your Space

Beginning in November and continuing throughout the 2014-2015 academic year, the Women's Center will be loaning out Silent Witness Project silhouettes and These Hands Don't Hurt tarps for 4-6 week engagements. The Silent Witness Project is a traveling memorial to victims of domestic violence. Each 6'6" red silhouette carries a plaque with the story of a North Carolinian who was murdered as a result of domestic violence. These Hands Don’t Hurt is a domestic violence awareness event that allows community members to make a commitment against domestic violence. As a visual representation, participants placed their handprints on a 6’ x 9’ tarp.

To host one or both of these exhibits, please contact Otis McGresham.

Laverne Cox Appearance Draws Capacity Crowd

Heavily Anticipated Event
Now NC State History

The GLBT Center made history on the evening of Tuesday, November 11, 2014 by hosting Laverne Cox, an Emmy-nominated actress and producer who is also transgender. Cox spoke eloquently and movingly about her childhood in Mobile, Alabama, where she and her twin brother, who both excelled in the arts, were raised by a single mother, through her coming of age in New York City, to her subsequent rise to stardom as star of the television show Orange is the New Black and other programs.

Following her talk, Cox answered numerous questions from an appreciative audience, including several students who asked for personal advice for their coming-out and transitional journeys as LGBT individuals. Cox answered each question thoughtfully and thoroughly based on her own personal experience and perspective. Stating that she considers herself first an actress and by circumstance a transgender rights spokesperson, she was quick to acknowledge that her views may not serve everyone, but everyone has a right to their own gender identity and expression. Her talk included references to gender scholars such as Julia T. Wood, Judith Butler, and Simone de Beauvoir, providing some deeper follow-up for those in the audience who wish to learn more in the area of gender studies.

Before the talk, NC State's GLBT Center showed a video titled "Trans* Safety" that shows how to treat transgender individuals with respect. Click to view the video.

The Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity and the GLBT Center are proud to have hosted this special event, which was offered free for the campus community. Thanks also to all the sponsors, inlcuding the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, the Women’s Center, Student Health Services, the Union Activities Board, Women’s and Gender Studies, the University Scholars Program, University Recreation and healthMpowerment.

GLBT Center Recognizes Transgender Day of Remembrance

The GLBT Center is sponsoring Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual event dedicated to honoring those who have had their lives cut short by anti-transgender violence. In the past year, over 200 transgender individuals have been murdered around the world, an overwhelming percentage of which were transgender women of color.

The Women’s Center and GLBT Center are partnering to honor those who have fallen victim to anti-transgender violence. A Silent Witness silhouette will be present in honor of Sevda Basar, a 28-year old transgender woman who was murdered by her boyfriend in February. The event will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in Wolf Plaza. Stop by to show your solidarity, place a paper flower at the feet of the silhouette, and take a moment of silence for Sevda, her over 200 fellow victims and the unknown number of voices pressured into silence from fear of violence. Take an additional step as an ally against anti-transgender violence by signing a pledge card to take a stand. Learn what you can do to help make NC State a more comfortable place for our transgender members of the Wolfpack. Pick up a pronoun sticker to show your support and wear it the remainder of the week.

Help the GLBT Center, GLBT-CommUnity Alliance student organization, and T-Files, the transgender, genderqueer and gender non-conforming/questioning support group, make this week a powerful reminder of solidarity, hope and community. For more information about the GLBT Center, GLBT-CA, or T-Files, please visit the GLBT Center website or email the Center at glbtcenter@ncsu.edu.

GLBT Center to Host Annual Cabaret Variety Show

The GLBT Center will host its annual Cabaret variety show on Monday, November 24, 2014 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Talley Student Union Ballroom. This event showcases the diversity and talent of the NC State community and features a wide range of performances, including live music, vocal groups, dance troupes, drag, spoken word poetry and much more. This event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are not required, but we ask that you RSVP for the event since we will need to cap attendance. Please RSVP online. Contact Julius Perkins with any questions. Please also see the flyer for this event!

"Tomahawk'd" Native American Cooking Demonstration and Competition

Mon, Nov 17, 2014
6:00PM-8:00PM
Park Shops, Room 210

"Dots vs. Feathers" Discussion of Racial Stereotypes and Misconceptions

Tue, Nov 18, 2014
6:00PM-8:00PM
Location TBD

GLBT CommUnity Alliance

Tue, Nov 18, 2014
7:00PM-9:00PM
Talley Student Union, Rm 4140

Mi Placita

Wed, Nov 12, 2014
12:00PM-2:00PM
Outside Talley Student Union

Workshop: Leading a Diverse Workforce

Wed, Nov 19, 2014
1:00PM-3:00PM
Talley Student Union, Rm 4280
Please register online.

Native American Quiz Bowl

Wed, Nov 19, 2014
6:00PM-8:00PM
Witherspoon Center, Rm 126

"It's On Us" Campaign

Thu, Nov 20, 2014
11:00AM-1:00PM
The Oval, Centennial Campus

Associate Professors' Community: "Taking on Leadership Roles - When? How?"

Thu, Nov 20, 2014
12:25PM-1:15PM
1911 Building, Room 129

GLBT Drop-In Counseling

Thu, Nov 20, 2014
3:00PM-5:00PM
Harrelson Hall, Room 360

Red, White & Black Walk

Thu, Nov 20, 2014
3:00PM-5:00PM
Behind Holladay Hall

GLBT Coffee Talks/Potluck

Thu, Nov 20, 2014
5:00PM-9:00PM
Student Health Center

Native American Dreamcatcher Workshop

Thu, Nov 20, 2014
6:00PM-8:00PM
Talley Student Union, Rm 3285

Multicultural Faculty Friday Lunch

Fri, Nov 21, 2014
12:15PM-1:15PM
Players Retreat

Multicultural Leaders Collaborative (Hosted by Native American Student Community)

Fri, Nov 21, 2014
3:00PM-4:30PM
Location TBA

OIED Event Calendar

For the full calendar of OIED events, including more information about the above, see the OIED Calendar.

Upcoming GLBT Faculty and Staff Luncheon

The NC State GLBT Center will host a luncheon for current and prospective members of the GLBT Faculty and Staff Network on Monday, November 24 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in Witherspoon Student Center, Room 356. GLBT faculty and staff who would like to attend should RSVP by Wednesday, November 19, 2014. For more information or to RSVP, please visit the GLBT Center website.

Leadership for Faculty

The Provost’s Office invites all tenured faculty to consider applying for Leadership for a Diverse Campus, a semester-long leadership development program to be offered in Spring 2015. This program is intended for tenured associate or full professors who are interested in exploring an administrative career path. The program is an outgrowth of the ADVANCE Leadership Workshop, a NSF-funded project that established a track record of preparing faculty for administrative positions. Leadership for a Diverse Campus will be offered each year. For more information, please contact workshop facilitators Betsy Brown or Laura Severin. Applications are due by Friday, November 21, 2014.

Make a Year-End Donation

Did you know that NC State has a Diversity and Equity Fund (DEF) that assists the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity in helping others? See our website to find out how to make your year-end tax deductible donation. Thank you!