The heart behind the evolution of UCalgary’s Women’s Resource Centre

Nanako Furuyama remembers having limited opportunities growing up to meet with women leaders.

She knew they existed in all facets of society, but having the chance to pick their brains and be inspired by them in a one-on-one setting seemed like a distant dream.

When Furuyama stepped foot in the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) at the University of Calgary for the first time, that dream quickly became a reality.

Now the centre’s manager, she has seen it become an essential place of belonging for the UCalgary community: a home for connection, advocacy and growth.

“Every year is a new challenge … We continuously listen to what is needed. That’s what drove me to stay,” says Furuyama. “What makes the space so unique is a strong sense of this collective ownership and purpose, and the connection people feel.”

Despite some initial hurdles and facility changes over the years, the WRC stands as both a legacy and a living testament to student leadership by welcoming students from all backgrounds to build community and to develop skills and dialogue rooted in feminist theory.

A decades-long effort to build a women’s resource centre

The idea of an on-campus women’s resource centre emerged during the second wave of the women’s movement in the 1960s and ’70s, though it would take years for the vision to take hold.

Momentum grew in 1989 when two students presented an assessment of women’s centres in Western Canada to the UCalgary Students’ Union, illustrating how much more support was needed at the university.

A small centre opened in 1990 and was considered a radical initiative at the time, despite similar spaces already operating at other universities. Space issues and funding challenges forced its closure sometime between 1991 and 2001.

But the idea didn’t disappear. Shortly after, a Women’s Studies class reignited efforts, launching the Campus Women’s Resource Centre campaign. Students and faculty wrote letters to then-President Harvey Weingarten, urging the university to re-establish the space.

Momentum grew again when Sheila O’Brien, BA'69, who had been appointed special advisor to the president on student life, donated her year’s salary to help fund construction. In 2006, the WRC officially reopened in the MacEwan Student Centre and launched the Sheila O’Brien Award for Excellence in Leadership, presented annually to a volunteer who demonstrates exceptional leadership and fosters kindness.

A community hub shaping transformative student experiences

Furuyama says something keeps people returning to the WRC year after year. Volunteer retention is consistently high, and many other student spaces have modelled their programming after the centre’s approach. 

Among them is Di Honorio, BA’17 (Development Studies), BA’17 (English), who first visited the centre as a first-year student and remained involved with various roles including co-op student and program co-ordinator. 

“When people share their experiences and share their lives with us, they bring their own stories to the space — that's what makes it special,” Honorio says.

Honorio adds the WRC offers learning experiences “that you wouldn't normally explore in a classroom.”

The impact on students is clear. The WRC has flourished, shaped by the contributions of donors, volunteers, co-op students and community partners. Its influence is deeply personal for many, including Charli Sandford, a third-year sociology co-op student and program assistant.

“The WRC has provided me with the most supportive community, filled with such passionate people in social advocacy,” Sandford says. “Working here has influenced the path I want to take in my career, and I couldn't have figured it out without all the opportunities this space has given me. Best spot on campus.”

Looking ahead: Evolving language, expanding inclusion

As the social landscape shifts, the WRC is reflecting on how it can continue to be an inclusive and future-focused space. One area under discussion is the language used around gender diversity.

Furuyama says this has always been a part of the centre. “From the very beginning, it was clear this is a fully inclusive space,” she says.

A potential name change is one possibility to ensure the centre remains welcoming to all, especially as student needs evolve. “The people that make up the space, and how we change and evolve over time, is because of their feedback, especially as language changes,” notes Honorio.

For now, the WRC continues its work as a place where students build community, explore their strengths and bring more compassion into the world — a legacy well worth celebrating as UCalgary marks its 60th anniversary. You can find the WRC on the fourth floor of MacEwan Student Centre in Room 482.