Photo of student painting

WXGS

Women and Gender Services

Women and Gender Services (WXGS)


 

Welcome to Women and Gender Services (WXGS) | 3-308


Women and Gender Services (WXGS) is under the department of student life.  We support all women as well as women identifying students through student club support, programs, workshops, education, advocacy and providing resources so students can be their whole selves to thrive at MIT.  We also know that gender is nuanced and it's complex. WXGS is excited to continue the vision of the original purpose of the Margaret Cheney Room, first established in 1884, while also expanding that vision to meet the needs of today's students and their intersectional, gender diverse identities.  

The Margaret Cheney Room is the women's student center that's open 24/7 via tap access.  There's a zoom room, a lactation/quiet room, a student conference room, lockers, piano, a lounge, a main space/activity room, a kitchen, the WXGS office and so much more.  2-3 times a month there will be women's programs and events open to everyone who uses the Margaret Cheney Room.  Take a look at our sidebar for programs/events page to see what WXGS is up to.

If you're interested in learning more about what we do, how we support our undergrad, grad, and postdoc students, what does "women identifying" mean and more, then feel free to click our sidebar FAQ page. If you have any additional questions please reach out to us at: wxgs@mit.edu.  

Announcements

The Cheney Room has a soft open starting 1/4/2023! All students who would like to use the Cheney Room must re-submit their tap access to be added back.  Please click this link to be taken to the form, or check the sidebar under Margaret Cheney Room Information.  

Programs and Events Highlight

 

A full list of February 2023 programs is under our Events and Programs page.

Misogynoir: A Discussion with Dr. Moya Bailey

  • Description: Join Women and Gender Services (WXGS) and Women and Gender Studies (WGS) this Women’s History Month for a facilitated discussion followed by a Q&A with Dr. Moya Bailey on misogynoir. All are welcome in the MIT community to attend this event.  Dr. Moya Bailey is a feminist scholar, writer, and activist. She is noted for coining the term misogynoir, which denotes what Bailey describes as the unique combination of misogyny and anti-black racism experienced by black women.   This program is sponsored and supported by Women and Gender Studies (WGS), The Institute Community and Equity Office (ICEO),African, Black, American, Caribbean ERG (ABAC), and Black Women's Alliance (BWA).
 
  • Date: Tuesday, March 14th
  • Time:  2-3pm EDT
  • Location: 3-308G | Webinar
  • RSVP:  Moya Bailey RSVP Link
 

You can also follow us on our brand new Instagram.  In addition to sharing our programs, we spotlight women figures past and present, share educational resources and support, highlight women's conferences that students can attend, and much more.

  • Instagram: @wxgs_mit
  • Engage: Women and Gender Services (WXGS)
  • Sign up for our emails: WXGS Mailing List Form

 

The Margaret Cheney Room

 

The Margaret Cheney Room, MIT's women's student community center, was founded in 1884 in recognition of the fact that women have traditionally been denied a safe space of their own, especially in the STEM fields. In light of its founding mission, the Cheney Room exists to promote community and empower all students at MIT who experience gender-based systems of oppression. This includes (but is not limited to) transgender women, cisgender women, women-coded and/or non-binary individuals who feel that the Margaret Cheney Room is a space for them.   Click the sidebar to learn more about the Margaret Cheney Room.