With the establishment of the School of Women's Studies, York University now has the largest school of women's studies in the world and the only one in Canada.

    The School includes: a redesigned undergraduate program; Canadian Woman Studies/les cahiers de la femme, Canada's bilingual feminist quarterly; the Centre for Feminist Research; the Nellie Langford Rowell Library; and Bridging courses for mature students. Funds raised will provide support for research, library resources and academic programs.

    "The School of Women's Studies at York is a reflection of the dedication and commitment of many who have worked for social justice and equity. It represents a real step forward," says Julie White, York graduate (MBA '84), executive director of The Trillium Foundation and the School's honorary co-chair for fundraising.

    But what can you do with a degree in women's studies? Just about anything, according to Janice Newton, coordinator of the women's studies program. "We did an alumni survey of more than 400 [graduates] this year," she says. "You can do what any students do with a general liberal arts degree.Students work in education and health and social services sectors. They are in guidance offices, universities, high schools, business, media and law. They start their own businesses."

    Student responses to the survey included such comments as "Women's studies changed my life significantly. I gained in understanding which resulted in me taking risks with confidence. I went further and earned two more degrees. I have been able to teach at [university] with success and satisfaction. I have received the highest possible salary from my board"; "My women's studies degree was a factor in my promotion to department head" and "[I learned] highly respected organizational activities, critical thinking 'on the job,' and introspective abilities leading to increased professional activities...."

    The School received a lead gift with a donation of $700,000 to be used for scholarships. That amount will be doubled by the Ontario government for a total of $1.4 million. The donation was made by Jocelyn Botterell Allen, in memory of her grandmother Ethel Louise Armstrong (1875-1957), together with Armstrong's two surviving children and her 11 grandchildren. Another lead gift of $150,000(matchable to $300,000), was named in memory of Margaret R. It has been made by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

    `Honouring the past' is one of the themes of the School's fundraising campaign. It is with pride that Allen recounts her grandmother's life story. Growing up in Montreal, "she wanted desperately to be a doctor but at that time McGill [University] didn't accept women into medical school." Forced to abandon her dream of studying medicine, she chose instead to study arts. Armstrong graduated in 1895 -- as president of her class and class valedictorian -- with a bachelor's degree.

    Women "feel the injustices of the past can be at least remembered by giving an opportunity for people to study women. There is a tremendous commitment to women's studies," says Varpu Lindström, master of Atkinson College and the School's fundraising campaign co-chair.

    The first phase of the Campaign, which began in earnest last January, raised more than $2 million in scholarship funds, with an additional $3 million still to be raised.