Tapestries: Women Weaving Our World is a literary magazine published by the Women’s Center at Shawnee State University. This is the sixth year year for the publication.

“It’s all things by or about women and women’s experiences,” said professor Ann Linden, interim director of the Women’s Center. “But we have several male authors in every edition.”

Most of the writers who contribute to Tapestries come from SSU, mostly because of the limited marketing budget the Women’s Center has to promote it, Linden explained. But there are pieces that come from around the region. Networking with creative writing professors and teachers around the region helps to get the word out when it comes time to call for submissions.

“We welcome submissions from community members, and have published them in the past,” Linden said.

The Women’s Center focuses on women’s needs and experiences, both on campus and in the community.

Efforts for the center began 10 years ago from a study that was called for by then University President Dr. James Chapman. Several women on campus, both students and faculty, were concerned with unique challenges women face, including the proverbial glass ceiling in their careers. The study led to the institution of a Women’s Task Force, and eventually to the inception of the Women’s Center.

English professor Dr. Roberta Milliken, who was the founding director of the Women’s Center, was recently honored with the James P. Chapman Distinguished Service Award.

“We do a lot of charity drives and fundraising on campus, but about 90 percent of the money we raise goes to the community,” Linden said.

The domestic violence center, The Counseling Center, St. Lucy’s House and Stepping Stones are just some of the causes the Women’s Center has championed in recent years.

“Virtually all of our programming is open to the public,” Linden said.

This close to the end of the academic year for the university, plans for the fall semester are already in motion. The Women’s Center has a volunteer fair planned for September at which community organizations that need volunteers will be invited to attend to enlist the assistance of students looking for community service opportunities.

“It’s really nice to make those connections and meet people,” Linden said.