FAQ
How do I check a book out from the MSWC Wealtha Bevier Library? How long can I keep the book?
To check a book out from the MSWC Library come to the main office (205). You will give your name and contact information to the secretary and will have three weeks to reserve the book.
Why is the library named after Wealtha Bevier? Who was she?
The Wealtha Bevier Library recognizes the contributions made to education, and women in education, by one of the most gifted educators at the high school level in the US, who was the recipient of a National Science Academy Award for having more students choose careers in science than any high school teacher in the US.
Born in Circleville, Ohio, in September 1908, Wealtha moved with her family to Columbus, Ohio in 1917 where she graduated from North High School in 1922. She attended Ohio State University and graduated with both a Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Science. She then worked in a medical laboratory in Chicago which trained her for a subsequent short-term job in the Coroner's Office in Sarasota, where she moved in 1936. This was following a period of teaching at Episcopal Girl's School in Davenport, Iowa.
While taking courses to qualify for the Florida Teacher's Certificate, she supported herself by tutoring children of wealthy Sarasota families, among them one of the founders of The Selby Foundation.
With skills of carpentry learned from her father, and help from students and friends, she constructed her own home on five acres of rattle snake infested land she bought at a Sheriff's Sale near Sarasota. She was quite skilled in discouraging the rattlers with her single shot 12 gauge shotgun.
During her 24 years of teaching at Sarasota High School, Wealtha taught biology, physics, chemistry, trigonometry, agricultural chemistry, and physical education. In 1958 she realized that the offerings of science books in the Sarasota High Library were seriously deficient, and she began using her own funds to purchase expensive scientific texts and reference books. She subsequently was able to obtain a grant from the Selby Foundation to establish a Science Library at Sarasota High.
Soon after Sputnik in 1957, Wealtha realized that some of her students were building rockets capable of shooting 1,000 or more feet into the sky. She recognized that the students were building these rockets in ways that might seriously harm them, so she organized the students, in collaboration with the Sarasota Fire Department, into the JETS (Junior Engineering Technological Society).
After retiring from Sarasota High School, she taught science at Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota, and with full retirement from teaching, served as a volunteer for ten years with the Humane Society in Sarasota. Her special project was fundraising for the care of abandoned dogs and cats.
One of her students taught chemistry at Iowa State University from 1962-1992 and in thanks to her early direction, organized the naming of the Margaret Sloss Women's Center Library in her honor. Funding was donated to purchase books on issues or gender and education.
What do you do here? I'm not sure if you can help me with this because I'm not sure what exactly the MSWC does.
Every day the activities in the Women's Center are different. Not all topics are academic - we deal with personal life challenges, frustrations with the red tape on campus, and more. Sometimes the telephone keeps us busy with questions, referrals, and problems and other times the offices on the second floor are filled with people frustrated about a personal relationship, a class, or a roommate. We listen to the situations, refer people to other resources on and off campus and provide options for people to consider. If you want to meet with a staff member the offices are on the second floor - stop up and see if someone is free or to schedule an appointment. The Sloss House is a safe place for people who want to recharge from a class discussion or a personal encounter. The main floor offers comfortable seating with an assortment of coffee, tea, and cocoa in the kitchen. We always have free tampons/napkins and condoms in the house.
Are men allowed in the Women's Center?
Yes, everyone is welcome in the Women's Center. Men, as well as women, may utilize our resources and services, attend our programs, participate in group activities and meetings, and support our efforts. We have a male staff member and several male volunteers, and we have a men's outreach program for men advocating women's rights. This space is reserved for women and women's needs, however, men supportive of the issues are welcome to participate.
Why isn't there a men's center?
The Margaret Sloss Women's Center was formed by women faculty and staff who felt that women's needs were not being met by the University and that a Women's Center could help address this problem. Male faculty, staff, and students have not seen a similar need for a men's center, or have not made their needs known, and have not taken the initiative to form such a center.
For the most part, men--especially heterosexual white males--in our society have not been discriminated against or had to fight for equal rights like women in areas such as voting, access to education, employment, salary equity, marital laws, religious institutions, social organizations, etc. A large body of research exists which clearly documents gender-based discrimination against women. Traditionally, American history and world history have focused primarily on the achievements and contributions of men, and have largely excluded women. In essence, social, educational, political, and religious institutions, have served as men's centers.
Why do we still need a Women's Center?
Women's Centers serve as a focal point of women's issues and concerns. Since the early 1970s, women's centers have been established throughout the country--most frequently on college campuses by women students--in response to historical inequities experienced by women. They provide women with the resources and support they need to realize their potential as individuals and members of society. Since its establishment in 1981 the Margaret Sloss Women's Center has been a vital resource for individuals and groups of women and men on campus and in the community.
Relationship Violence: What should I do if my boyfriend is beating me up? What should I do if my friend is being beat up by her boyfriend? I think my daughter (an ISU student) is being battered by her boyfriend. What can I do to help her?
See "Publications and Articles" on this site.
How do I check out a laptop? How long can I keep a laptop checked out during the week? Weekend? Breaks?
You can check out a laptop by coming to the main office at the Margaret Sloss Women's Center on the second floor and filling out a reservation form. The laptops can be reserved in 2 hour increments and the computers must stay in the Sloss House.
