he story of the Cornell Women's Resource Center is one filled with a dedication to education, awareness, activism, and change. At the center of it all has been a group of students, women and men, who have recognized the need for a space devoted to serving the needs of women students at Cornell. Although little has been chronicled over the years, it has been possible through a few remaining scrapbooks, slides, and other resources, to loosely trace the history of the CWRC over the past twenty-five or so years.

The Cornell Women's Resource Center was started in the early 1970's as a student organization. At a time when political awareness was at the center of the Women's Movement, the CWRC was active in sponsoring discussions and events on issues such as abortion, equal pay, racism, and women's health. A lending library, as well as, comprehensive directories of campus and community services was established.

In the mid 1990's the CWRC surfaced once again, with a newly decorated office and a large staff of dedicated student volunteers. These volunteers worked many hours each week staffing the office so that visitors could access the services provided. These services included a lending library, lectures and events, community service opportunities and a chance to work on the CWRC's literary magazine, Athena.

Most recently, the CWRC has made great stride in moving toward to 21st century. In Fall, 1998 the CWRC hired its first full-time director, made possible by the support and funding of the Undergraduate Student Assembly. This two- year funding cycle will allow the CWRC to further develop its services and programs, while working towards solidifying its position within the University.