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Brian Tu is a third-year Genetics Major and Undergraduate Research Intern in Evolution and Ecology. He is a campus tour guide and Emergency Department volunteer, as well as in charge of outreach at the Campus Violence Prevention Program/Students Against Sexual Violence.

Brian says: “I feel that popular culture in our society overtly objectifies women as objects of sexual attraction and lust. The majority of young men grow up unaware of how this portrayal causes emotional and social harm to women. Current pop culture, including television shows, music, and even social gatherings, helps perpetuate this degrading image. One example is the television show “Dr. 90210” in which every aspect of a woman’s body can be enhanced, enlarged, fitted, stretched, replaced, filled, injected, molded or reduced to fit the patient’s perception of what they believe men find attractive. This is a prominent issue in today’s society and resources such as the Women’s Center are invaluable towards helping women formulate their own personal and social esteem."

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Branden Petitt is the Assistant Director for Policy and Conduct For Student Housing. He has also volunteered for two and a half years as a Rape Aggression Defense instructor. He has volunteered his time to teach students, staff, and faculty self-defense techniques and risk reduction strategies. Most importantly, he emphasizes the role of men as partners in truly combating violence. We are happy to have Branden on campus as a dedicated ally to women and as a great mentor to students.

Branden shares: “I primarily work with first year students who are living on their own for the first time. There are so many "teachable moments" as these students try to find out where they fit into the world. I became a Rape Aggression Defense instructor so I could assist women in not only recognizing the potential dangers in society but also the inner strength they possess in overcoming difficult situations. We live in a society where most perpetrators of rape, sexual assault and physical violence are committed by men. It is very important to me that both women and men see me as a male who will not tolerate those actions."

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Paul Takushi coordinates trade book acquisitions for the UCD Bookstore. He consciously works to provide students, staff and faculty with access to the full range of women's voices in literature. His collaboration with the Women's Center on many programs featuring women authors has helped make these events highly successful In his acceptance speech for being honored as an ally Paul says: "I'd like to thank my grandmother for teaching me to be independent and strong. I'd like to thank my mother for teaching me the value of hard work and for instilling me with an appreciation for the things I have in life. I'd like to thank my four sisters for teaching me how to fight and never give up....mostly for teaching me how to fight."

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Elliot Proebstel is currently completing his Master of Science degree in Computer Science with an emphasis in Security. While at UC Davis he has been involved with the Peer Education Program, National Organization for Women (NOW), and the TransAction Committee. He was also a Safe Zone Trainer and co-founder of RiSE UP.

In Elliot’s words: “Women’s rights are important to me because everyone has the right to exercise full control over their own bodies, relationships, and lives. Anything that infringes on this right is unjust and limits every one of us. Nothing could ever convince me that any individual is inferior to another or deserves to be treated as though they were.”

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Toby Beauchamp is a graduate student in Cultural Studies who looks at issues of Transgender Theory. Toby has worked as a transgender advocate and activist on campus since he began his graduate program. He was on the committee to plan Trans-action week the first Transgender Awareness Week last November. The events educated the campus about the impact of gender oppression, offered transgender ally development training, and was a spring board for transgender policy on campus. We are lucky to have him as an ally in gender justice work!

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Men Acting Against Rape Outreach Committee

The MAAR outreach committee is one of the central parts of MAAR’s mission. They work to reach out to the campus community and to educate students about their role in combating violence on campus. They work to collaborate and to network with other campus leaders such as fraternities, athletics, student organizations, and student government to make an impact on campus. MAAR is an example of the power of student collaboration in making campus change.

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Jay Mechling, professor of American Studies, has been studying issues of "masculinity" long before it was 'fashionable.' He understands how deeply sex role socialization affects both women and men.

In Jay's words: "If we judge the goodness of a society by how it treats its less powerful members, then we have to pay attention to how we treat women. Can we withstand that test? I'd like to counted upon as one of those men who works for the just treatment of women. I admire women writers, like Octavia Butler and Ursula LeGuin, who use their science fiction to imagine the world we can work toward. Most recently, I have expressed my admiration for my member of Congress, Rep. Barbara Lee, for casting the sole vote against the war powers act. I am very proud of her courage."

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John Ortiz-Hutson is the Student Affairs coordinator for African and African American Studies. His dedication to the success of the students he counsels, supports and advocates for is renowned on campus. He is one of those very special people who can make all the difference in the quality of a student's experience here.

John shares this: "Women have always been my soul mates, spiritual advisors, allies, confidantes, friends and teachers. Fortunately for me, I became aware of their worth, value and importance before becoming too very old! I am a better man, father and friend because of the many significant female forces and influences surrounding me. These influences began with a great source of maternal strength, creative and spiritual inspiration, in my 'Ma, Carmen Ortiz."

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Terry Zimmer, a UCD Fire Department engineer, approached the WRRC ten years ago with the commitment to bring more women into fire fighting careers. Through his efforts and collaboration with the Fire Department, the WRRC has provided education and outreach to potential women student fire fighters and we have been included in the recruitment and selection process for career positions. And Terry puts his money where his values are! His generosity has enabled students working on projects that focus on women and gender to have additional funds to complete their projects . We are fortunate to have such a strong and committed ally as Terry Zimmer!

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