The WRRC values the opportunities we all have to engage in self-education in the areas we wish to gain more knowledge about. Here you can find a number of resources and introductions to many of the words, concepts, and ideas that drive the gender equity work we do here at the WRRC. 

Books and Articles

We encourage you to come visit our space, especially our library, on the first floor of North Hall where you can find a variety of books, zines, and other literary materials. It is a beautiful place to start or enhance your learning. 

• Books Recommended by the WRRC Team
• Tans* Ally Workbook: Getting Pronouns Right & What It Teaches Us About Gender by Davey Shlasko (can be found in the WRRC Library)
  Feminism is for EVERYBODY by bell hooks
  Women, Race, and Class by Angela Y. Davis
  Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg
  Assata by Assata Shakur
  This Bridge Called My Back by Cherríe Moraga and Gloria Anzaldúa
  Women and Gender in Islam by Leila Ahmed
  On Intersectionality by Kimberlé Crenshaw
  Revolutionary Mothering: Love on the Front Lines by Alexis Pauline
  Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
• Articles
• I'm a Trans Woman, but Please Stop Asking Me About My Genitalia by Janet Mock for Elle
  How I Came Out of the Closet, Converted to Islam, and Found My True Self by Aamina Khan for them.
  5 Quick Definitions to Help Expand Your Understanding of Sexuality and Gender by AJ+ for Everyday Feminism

Glossary

Words, words, words, and more words! Take some time to get to know many of the words and concepts that guide our work here at the WRRC. If you would like to explore language a bit more deeply, we encourage you to visit the glossary compiled by the UC Davis LGBTQIA+ Resource Center (where many of the definitions below can be found).

• Cisgender
• A gender identity, or performance in a gender role, that society deems to match the person's assigned sex at birth. The prefix cis- means "on this side of" or "not across." A term used to call attention to the privilege of people who are not transgender.
• Gender Equity
• The social constructions of gender lead to disparities in social, economic, and political opportunities. To achieve gender equity, disparities specifically impacted by one's other salient identities should be identified and addressed in ways that rectify imbalances between all genders.
• Gender
• A social construct used to classify a person as a man, woman, or some other identity. Fundamentally different from the sex one is assigned at birth.
• Intersectionality*
• A term coined by law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw in the 1980s to describe the way that multiple systems of oppression interact in the lives of those with multiple marginalized identities.  Intersectionality looks at the relationships between multiple marginalized identities and allows us to analyze social problems more fully, shape more effective interventions, and promote more inclusive advocacy amongst communities.
• Intersectional Feminism
• Rooted in Kimberlé Crenshaw's intersectionality theory, intersectional feminism recognizes that gender equity is only achieved by dismantling all systems of oppression.
• Sex
• A medically constructed categorization. Sex is often assigned based on the appearance of the genitalia, either in ultrasound or at birth.
• Transgender*
• Adjective used most often as an umbrella term, and frequently abbreviated to “trans.” This adjective describes a wide range of identities and experiences of people whose gender identity and/or expression differs from conventional expectations based on their assigned sex at birth. Not all trans people undergo medical transition (surgery or hormones).  Some commonly held definitions: 
  
  1. Someone whose determination of their sex and/or gender is not universally considered valid; someone whose behavior or expression does not “match” their assigned sex according to society. 
  2. A gender outside of the man/woman binary. 
  3. Having no gender or multiple genders.
• Womxn
• Womxn is intentionally spelled with an "x" in order to recognize the agency of womxn, individually and collectively, and to challenge the notion that womxn are necessarily defined through their relation to men. This spelling is intended to honor anyone who has ever, ever will, or currently identifies as a womxn. 

Workshops

• Join Us For a Workshop
• The WRRC offers workshops on a variety of gender and feminist related topics. Workshops are currently on hold but will be listed here when they return.
• Request a Workshop
• We are not currently accepting workshop requests at this time.
  
  If you or your organization cannot attend one of the workshops offered above, WRRC Educational Workshops are available by request. Please make sure that your request is at least three (3) weeks in advance of the date you would like to host the workshop. We currently offer the following educational workshops for student organizations, campus departments, community organizations, and other groups:
  
  About the WRRC - This session gives a basic overview of the role the WRRC plays on campus doing Gender Equity work, what educational programs we offer, the events we host, and covers the location of the WRRC, hours, and tangible resources available in our space. Additionally, we discuss our classification as a confidential resource.
  Birth Control 101 - In a fun, engaging, and brave environment, this session demystifies birth control. It covers the basics and fundamentals, supports participants in learning how to talk about birth control with others, and provides insight into the various methods and types!
  Creating Gender Inclusive Environments - This interactive session will empower participants to be able to define Cisgender, Transgender, Nonbinary and Cissexism, better understand how power and privilege influence ways we co-create space with each other, deconstruct gendered and exclusive language that impacts our community, brainstorm and practice ways to interrupt Genderism and to create more inclusive community spaces.
  Intersectionality and Gender - This session will give participants an understanding of where WRRC is and the work we do, understanding of Social Identity, understanding of difference between Intersectionality and intersecting identities, ability to articulate importance of inclusive language in creating inclusive environments, deeper understanding of Gender in relation to intersectionality, intersecting identities, and inclusion.
  Socialization of Gender - This session will empower participants to examine and understand definitions of Gender, Gender Roles, Sexism, and Cissexism, understand Gender socialization and to engage critically with regards to language and Gender in everyday interactions.
  
  If you have questions or concerns about your workshop request or would like to discuss the creation of a workshop with content specific to your organization/department, please email Associate Director, Sara Blair-Medeiros.