The Jean H. Braden Center for Women, Gender and Social Equity

Welcome to the Braden Center for Women, Gender and Social Equity

The Jean Braden Center for Women, Gender, and Social Equity, under the Division of Language, Arts and Social Sciences on the Alexandria campus, is an important and vibrant part of the college whose mission is to encourage inclusiveness and a sense of belonging for all, with the goal to educate, advocate, support, and provide leadership opportunities for students. It provides a safe psychological and physical space for training and events, gaining access to support resources at the college and in the community, and leadership opportunities through our mentoring programs.

The Center addresses the most pressing needs of our students, staff, and faculty in creating an inclusive experience for all at NOVA through education, advocacy, and support for students across all gender and sexual identities regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, and social, economic and cultural background. It houses groups such as PrideNOVA, ManUp, and WomenHelpingWomen and provides a space for people to do quiet reflection, converse with other students, and participate in discussion groups.

  • Educate, Advocate, and Support regarding issues of gender and sexual equity and inclusiveness.
  • Providing resources and services to promote educational success, emphasizing gender equity and inclusiveness.
  • Developing programs to address gender and cultural barriers and creating opportunities for leadership and community service.
  • Establishing referral systems to ensure that students get the services they need on or off campus to achieve success.

The Women's Center at the Alexandria Campus was established in the Fall of 2008 through the efforts and contributions of a group of volunteer faculty, staff and student leaders. It was started based on the belief that NOVA was in need of a program that focused on building a sense of community through support, education, advocacy and opportunities to assist students in pursuing their educational goals.

The focus groups, co-facilitated by student leaders, surveyed international students, parents, non-traditional aged students and student leaders on campus and determined there was a need for co-op childcare opportunities, workshops on various topics related to health and well-being, and space designated for conversations among women or for quiet reflection between classes.

Since its beginning, the center has been a place that grows and addresses the most pressing needs of our students, staff and faculty in creating an inclusive experience for all at NOVA. In 2017, the Center was renamed The Jean Braden Center for Women, Gender and Social Equity to reflect the more inclusive nature of the center in educating, advocating and supporting all students across all gender and sexual identities regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, etc. This change honors the original commitments and concerns of the founders of the Center while also reflecting the dynamic cultural changes within the field of gender studies and the needs of our student and community populations.

The Braden Center is home to various events and activities, including weekly activities and discussion groups to provide experiences that educate our communities about issues of special importance to women, gender and equity issues.

The Braden Center has established an emergency fund for students through annual fundraising initiatives to assist with emergency needs related to tuition, books, housing, childcare, transportation, and other one-time emergency needs. Applications are available in the Center for currently enrolled students (6 credits or more) at NOVA.

The center provides a safe psychological and physical space for all students across all gender and sexual identities regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, and social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. This space can be used as a quiet place to study, reflect, converse with other students, or participate in discussion groups.

  • Resource Library - created through generous donations of books and DVDs on subjects of interest to women and gender diversity.
  • Information - campus and community resources, scholarships, internships, and community support groups
  • Referrals - community services

Internal Governing Board
The Braden Center has an internal governing board of college faculty, staff and students, which meets monthly to plan programs and events.

External Advisory Council
The Braden Center has an external advisory council comprised of members representing social services, business and professional organizations to provide advice and support for the Center.

Partnerships
While working with various organizations associated with Northern Virginia Community College, the Braden Center strives to partner with community, professional and business organizations. Currently, we partner with the Fairfax County Office of Public-Private Partnerships (OP3), the City of Alexandria, and the American Association of University Women.

Northern Virginia Community College Braden Center for Women, Gender, and Social Equity – Alexandria
Bisdorf Bldg., AA Room 331
5000 Dawes Ave
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: 703.845.6218

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