The Center attained additional funding in 1993, which allowed the addition of seven student staff members. At the time, the Women's Center was funded by ASSU Special Fees until a group of students created the Women’s Center Funding Proposal in 1996 to advocate for permanent funding from the university through the Office of Student Activities.
Thanks to these effective lobbying efforts, Fabienne McPhail, formerly with the Black Community Services Center, was appointed as the Women's Center's first part-time director in 1998. Initially working afternoons to oversee and coordinate the center, McPhail expressed her interests in supporting students in their academic lives and collaborating with other community centers. With the center previously supervised by a graduate student coordinator, McPhail envisioned a transition for the center by focusing on her role as an administrator to best address student concerns. The position was extended to a full-time position shortly before her departure in 1999. The Dean of Students Office granted the Women's Center and the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Community Center full-time directors after protests following LGBCC Director Gwendolyn Dean's resignation in late 1998. Espousing the advantages of institutionalization, McPhail pictured the Center as a community representing a broad swath of Stanford women, "even the voices of dissension." Lauren Popell held the Interim Director position from 1999-2000. |