Spring 2022
Hello DWCers,
We want to formally introduce ourselves as the current Co-Chairs of the Division on Women and Crime and thank you for trusting us to lead the group into the future. Since we began our roles in March of this year, we have been warmly welcomed by others on the board and in the division. We also appreciate your continued patience as we become acclimated to this ever-important role.
We are vested in promoting awareness of how marginalized groups are treated throughout the criminal justice field in scholarship, teaching, and service. For example, both of us complete research and organize campus events related to gender-based violence. We would like to utilize our skillsets and backgrounds to provide strong leadership for those in the section and beyond. Additionally, we want to work with membership and create a unified force to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion in the section so we can then promote the same throughout the broader organization and the field.
We believe our identity needs to be clear moving forward. Part of our work has already begun in reviewing an updated DWC Constitution addressing things such as provisions for a leave of absence or resignation of an executive board member. Please pay careful attention when you receive information regarding the Constitution. Your active participation is important to us. Additionally, we are welcoming new co-editors of Feminist Criminology as of July 1: Dr. Lisa Pasko from University of Denver and Dr. Vera Lopez from Arizona State University. Both are highly qualified and dynamic for the future of the journal and we ask the membership to join us in warmly welcoming them into their role.
The world, and within that the criminal justice field, is constantly changing. Recent changes have been particularly damaging to the goals of the division. Our hopes are to work diligently to ensure the continuance of the manifestation of activism to the membership. Now, more than ever, it is important to stand up for not only ourselves, but those who are unable to or are fearful themselves.
We thank you for the opportunity to serve the division and welcome ideas you have moving forward.
Sincerely,
Shavonne Arthurs and Samantha Gavin
Co-Chairs, Division on Women and Crime