UIC’s Women’s Leadership and Resource Center (WLRC) is a Center for Cultural Understanding and Social Change (CCUSC) and serves faculty, staff, and students across all its campuses (East, West, Law, UI Health).

WLRC’s mission is to increase awareness of and affirm the diverse needs of woman-identified persons in higher education; provide opportunities to learn about the histories of and contemporary issues in feminist movements, activism, and scholarship, especially as they relate to white supremacy, ableism, heterosexism, transphobia, wealth inequality, et al; and promote gender equity, anti-violence, inclusion, and social justice on campus and in the larger society and world.

To accomplish this mission, WLRC aims to

• offer engaged learning opportunities for individual students, classes, and groups
• provide a range of programs (e.g., lectures, film series, workshops, exhibitions, colloquia, storytelling, artmaking, etc.) and resources from feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppression perspectives
• assist students and staff in identifying and acquiring resources, tools, opportunities, and skills that help them have a successful experience at UIC
• bring attention to the need for self-care, spiritual well-being, respect, and sense of belonging among students and staff
• foster collaborations and connections among UIC faculty/students/staff and with feminist and social justice groups in Chicago to address the issues that impact the lives of marginalized women
• create spaces for building community and solidarity and fostering dialogue
• encourage awareness about gender-based violence and advocate for safety through the Campus Advocacy Network (CAN) program. CAN provides
  • confidential crisis support and advocacy for survivors of any gender/sexual/racial identity or university status who have experienced gender-based violence, and
  • educational programs, training, campaigns, activism, internships, and community-building.

WLRC offers a multitude of programs on topics like

• Gender and race
• Sex and sexuality
• Disability justice
• Mothership and parenthood
• Sexual harassment and assault.

Check out our upcoming events and programs!

The Campus Advocacy Network is a program at WLRC that is dedicated to providing education, training, support, and resources for students, staff, and faculty on issues related to gender-based violence (such as sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, harassment, and stalking) or feeling unsafe.

For free, confidential support, contact our confidential advocate at can-appointment@uic.edu or (312) 413-8206.

To learn more about training and education opportunities, contact can@uic.edu.

All services are open to all UIC students and employees, regardless of gender identity. Most events are open to the public.

Yes! When we’re not working remotely, we welcome all students and employees to use our space to collaborate, study, hang out, and relax! We’re always happy to provide coffee, tea, and snacks.

For junior faculty, graduate students, and anyone else interested, we also host a weekly virtual “write-onsite” space called Write@WLRC. Share space, motivation, and camaraderie with other UIC community members who need quiet time to write, grade, study, or work on projects.

WLRC is located at 1101 West Taylor Street, Suite 310, Chicago, Illinois 60607, in the heart of Little Italy.

Our staff is currently working remotely, we are available and here for you!

We offer many ways to get involved!

• Participate in exciting workshops, performances, book discussions, art activities, and film screenings
• Invite us for a workshop or training with your class or student organization
• Volunteer with us
• Get support for your research projects
• Visit and chat with our friendly staff team
• Study, relax, and host meetings in our warm, welcoming space
• Check out books from our feminist library!

Email wlrc@uic.edu for more info.

WLRC is one of seven cultural centers located around campus that provide a safe and engaging space for students, faculty, and staff. Among them are the

• African American Cultural Center,
• Arab American Cultural Center,
• Asian American Resource and Cultural Center,
• Disability Cultural Center,
• Gender and Sexuality Center, and
• Latino Cultural Center.

We partner with many student organizations that focus on women and gender equity and provide opportunities and resources to students with similar interests and career paths.

Contact us any time at wlrc@uic.edu or (312) 413-1025. Even though we’re working remotely, we are here for you!

• Resources on campus
• You can find many resources and organizations related to women, LGBTQIA communities, healthcare, childcare, and gender equity throughout Chicago as well as online