Brigham Young University. Women's Research Institute

The Women's Research Institute was established under the direction of President Dallin H. Oaks and Dr. Marilyn Arnold, president's assistant on women's issues, in 1978. It was intended to provide resources and educate female students and facilities on different women's issues and areas of research within them. The WRI was shut down in 2009. Directors of the institute included Ida Smith (1978-1983), Mary Stovall (1983-88), Marie Cornwall (1989-93), Donna Lee Bowen and Carol Ward (co-directors, 1993-1994), and Bonnie Ballif-Spanvill (1994-2009).

Variant names

WRI

Description

Established: 1978

Abolished: 2009

Location: Provo, Utah (1978-2009)

Functions

The Function of the Women's Research Institute was primarily to: 1) educate female students regarding gender-related personal challenges, 2) providing women throughout the Church with opportunities to learn about and discuss women’s issues particularly as they pertain to spiritual development, 3) improving the professional life for female faculty members at Brigham Young University, and 4) promoting the scholarly study of women’s development and contributions to families, communities, and societies.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The Women's Research Institute was in part funded by The College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. It acted under the director of the Institute.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences (1981-2009)

Subordinate unit: Brigham Young University. Women's Services and Resources (1992-2009)

Subordinate unit: Brigham Young University. Women's Studies Program (1993- 2009)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Advisory Committee on Women's Concerns (1980-1984)

Associated Archival Materials

Brigham Young University Women's Research Institute Records, 1974-1992. UA 1332

Ida Smith Papers, circa 1978-1997. MSS 3312

Records, 1975-1992. UA 801

Sources

A Farewell Salute to the Women's Research Institute of Brigham Young University, Fall 2009 (Ida Smith (1978-1983), Mary Stovall (1983-88), Marie Cornwall (1989-93), Donna Lee Bowen and Carol Ward (co-directors, 1993-1994), and Bonnie Ballif-Spanvill (1994-2009), aims of the WRI: 1) educate female students regarding gender-related personal challenges, 2) providing women throughout the Church with opportunities to learn about and discuss women’s issues particularly as they pertain to spiritual development, 3) improving the professional life for female faculty members at Brigham Young University, and 4) promoting the scholarly study of women’s development and contributions to families, communities, and societies.)

Brigham Young University: A House of Faith, 1985, p. 38 (Dr. Marylin Arnold acting as president's assistant over women's issues)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2010-00235

LCCN: nr 92042582

Creator: ANG