Susie Lopez-Benitez (right) and Megan Tagle Adams (left) of the CSUDH Women’s Resource Center greeted people at the 7th Annual Women’s Conference. Photo by Sara Bhatt.
By Sara Bhatt, Staff Reporter
The California State University, Dominguez Hills Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is known for being a safe and welcoming place for the community, providing a sense of belonging and support for one another in an environment that can otherwise be the opposite. The WRC connects women to beneficial resources, hosts events, and creates opportunities for folks to be empowered and inspire others all while creating a “home away from home” feeling.
The Women’s Resource Center’s mission is to support its community of students and engage with them as much as possible. The WRC held its 7th Annual Women’s Conference on March 16, an all-day affair with various activities and events including a keynote speaker, yoga, shopping vendors and craft tables.
One of the members of the WRC, Susie Lopez-Benitez who works at CSUDH in Student Retention and Success Support, said, “The whole purpose was just to make sure the students feel comfortable in their bodies and in their space,” which is ultimately what the WRC strives to do.
Lopez-Benitez acknowledged the struggles of imposter syndrome and how the WRC aids in helping students overcome this feeling. Imposter syndrome, as defined by the American Psychology Association, is when individuals doubt their abilities and question whether or not they are deserving of the environment that they are in. As students work incredibly hard to make their way towards attaining their degrees, it is easy to fall victim to comparison and eventually imposter syndrome.
The WRC helps ease this sensation by allowing students to feel like they belong and giving them the space “to feel more comfortable with their identity and know that they’re on campus for a reason,” Lopez-Benitez added.
The WRC is located in the classroom village near parking lot 7. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To stay up-to-date on upcoming events, sign up for the WRC newsletter.
