Although national women's history month is almost over, the work at the Center for Research on Women on The University of Memphis Campus is not.
The organization, which studies social problems facing women, began in 1982 when three sociology professors realized how little documentation existed on women of color.
"There were questions if there was even validity in trying to do the research," said Barbara Smith, a sociology professor and director of CROW.
The three professors started a newsletter, summer workshops and created a new curriculum for teaching women's research.
"The real focus was on transforming higher education," Smith said. After them, many other professional organizations began their own research and such programs became more accepted, so the center became less noticeable, said Smith.
During the mid to late 90s CROW's focus broadened from women of color to woman all over the south.
They continue to do work in expanding areas of women's suffrage, as they say new problems seem to arise constantly.
We do a lot to engage scholarship in this community. We try to provide a forum for teachers from different colleges of study to come to together and hold conversations about issues, Smith said.
Cynthia Pelak, a faculty affiliate and a sociology professor, said she heard about CROW before coming to The University.
She wanted to become involved with the center for many reasons."My affiliation with the center allows me to become more involved in research involving gender," Pelak said.
She said she not only gains research tools and the center, but also access to other faculty who are interested in social justice.
Pelak has worked for several years with a group that is researching how globalization affects the south and inequality.
Most of the faculty affiliates have different interests, but work together in different areas to promote social change.
CROW works mostly in the community and Memphis, but Smith recognizes a need for some changes on campus.
"There are still questions on atmosphere for women faculty," she said, "especially women with families."
She would like to see flextime and a childcare system offered to women who are trying to raise families.
She said in some areas of study, women are disproportionately represented. There are many more women in nursing and more men in areas like engineering. The problem is that salaries in the field's most women are studying are consistently lower than those men are studying.
However, CROW's focus is not aimed directly at changing the situations.
"Our capacity is research," Smith said, but this acts as an aid to many groups who are on the front lines of effecting change in politics and society.
"I think they play an invaluable role in reminding us of the needs of women," said Rebekah Jordan, the executive director of Mid-South Interfaith Network for Economic Justice.
She has used research done by CROW in her efforts to get a living wage ordinance passed by city council.
Although it has not been passed, Jordan said her organization has made large steps - with the help of CROW - toward making it happen.A living wage in Memphis would assure everyone working for a business that has a contract with the city or receives tax abatements, would make enough to support their families.
The center is looking forward to what they want to research in the future.
Smith said they have begun looking at infant mortality rates in Memphis.
They are researching the link between that rate and poverty. Smith herself is planning to continue her research on Latin woman in the South.
She said these women are often isolated in their homes, unable to speak English and mistreated in their professions.
She believes the work she and everyone else does at the center is important and she plans to continue to work for solutions to the problems women face in society.
"We look forward to being around for another 20 years," Smith said.
