Abigail Quigley McCarthy Center for Women

Building knowledge, linking ideas to action, and bringing people together.

The Abigail Quigley McCarthy Center for Women's Research, Resources, and Scholarship at St. Catherine University works to build a community of faculty and student scholars and activists working on issues of race, class, gender, and other differences; gather and share resources relating to these issues; and highlight the leadership and work of women at the University and in various communities for women's justice and equality.

About the Center

Throughout its history, the Center has been a catalyst and supporter of many projects and programs that address women's issues, from the building of a strong Women's Studies program to a student-directed campaign to address the concerns of student parents. The Center's commitment to open, honest dialogue about tough issues and a belief in the necessity of work for justice form the backbone of the work we do, including

  • bringing together student scholars, activists and faculty to work on issues of race, class, gender, and other differences
  • gathering and sharing academic and financial resources
  • highlighting the leadership and work of women at the University and in communities for women's justice and equality

The Abigail Quigley McCarthy Center for Women actively supports the mission of St. Catherine University by affirming the dignity of women and fostering their intellectual and leadership potential.

  • As a program, the Center coordinates the Women's Studies (WOST) major and minor, seeks to integrate scholarship on women across the college curriculum, and provides events and activities focusing on women.
  • As a catalyst for change, the Center sponsors research and action projects addressing diverse women's concerns.
  • As a place, the Center houses unpublished research, books, periodicals, conference reports, and other information relating to women; provides an environment for women to share ideas; and creates and encourages networks of and for women.

History

The Abigail Quigley McCarthy Center for Women's Research, Resources, and Scholarship was founded in 1985 and first directed by Catherine Lupori, a member of the English Department and coordinator of the, then new, minor in Women's Studies.

In 1986, the Center was dedicated to Abigail Quigley McCarthy (1915–2001), alumna, activist, and author. McCarthy spent her life improving the status of women in education, public policy, and the church. She was involved in the civil rights and ecumenical movements, and was deeply involved in her husband Eugene McCarthy's run for President in 1968. She was a columnist for Commonweal and also wrote successful novels and a highly praised memoir, Private Faces, Public Places.

Academic Programs

The Center for Women works in collaboration with interdisciplinary programs by sharing resources, coordinating and co-sponsoring events, and encouraging curriculum development.

Women's Studies (WOST)

Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity (CRST)

Awards

Declared majors and minors in Women's Studies, Women and International Development, or Women and the Arts may submit scholarly papers of at least five and not more than thirty pages, to be reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee of Women’s Studies faculty members. The paper should focus on women or issues relevant to women, particularly around race/ethnicity, gender, class, and other differences.

Recipients receive a cash award and a certificate of recognition.

Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2020.

For more information, contact the Center for Women at aqmcenterforwomen@stkate.edu.

Women’s Studies Scholarly Work Award Application (Undergrad) 

Are you especially proud of a research paper or creative work you completed within the past three years?

Does that work focus on women, gender, or issues relevant to diverse women's status or concerns? If yes, than submit your work today!

Awards of $1,000 and certificates are available to St. Kate’s

  • undergraduate students
  • graduate students
  • faculty/staff members
  • alumni
  • collaborative teams (with on or off-campus partners)

For more information, contact the Center for Women at aqmcenterforwomen@stkate.edu.

Applications are due by 4 p.m.,  Wednesday, November 3, 2021.

Research and Creative Work Award Guidelines and Submission Form

Scholarships

This scholarship award was established to provide financial support for someone who gives to others. Judith Gorman Krieger ‘63 realized that in this busy life, people facing daily human struggles often need the gifts of time and compassion. The Krieger Scholarship recipient should be a giver, someone willing to share time with a family member, friend, or people in the community. The scholarship is to be a gift to allow that student more opportunity to share time with and show compassion to others.

A $15,000.00 tuition-based scholarship will be awarded to a recipient during the 2021-2022 academic year. A student may receive this award only once; scholarship money will be applied toward the recipient’s senior year at St. Catherine University. Application is open to students from any field of study seeking a baccalaureate degree in the St. Catherine University College for Women.

Eligible Krieger Scholarship applicants must meet all the following criteria:

  • Be willing to share time with a family member, a friend, or people in a community as defined by the applicant
  • Have completed at least two semesters at St. Catherine University before applying for the award
  • Have senior class status during the 2021-2022 academic year (92 or more credits) and be in good academic standing with St. Catherine University
  • Be enrolled at St. Catherine University in the College for Women baccalaureate degree program, as at least a part-time student (6 credits per semester) during all or part of the 2021-2022 academic year
  • Have no previous baccalaureate degree
  • Expect to graduate in May or December 2022

Judith Gorman Krieger Scholarship Application

Judith Gorman Krieger Scholarship Recommendation Form

This scholarship provides at least two awards annually to re-entry transfer student parents who demonstrate academic promise, perseverance, and a sense of vision. Awards typically range from $500 to $3,000.

The scholarship was established by the estate of Mary Jane Young, a psychiatric social worker, who believed in empowering women through education and was committed to providing opportunities for re-entry women to pursue their educational goals.

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria.

  • Demonstrate academic promise, perseverance, and a sense of vision.
  • Application is open to re-entry transfer students currently enrolled in or accepted for admission to St. Catherine University baccalaureate programs in the College for Women.
  • An applicant must be 23 years of age, either a single woman with custody of children or a married woman who delayed her education to raise a family.
  • She must not have a previous baccalaureate degree, and must have completed at least 30 semester credits (45 quarter credits) with a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 or above.
  • She must be enrolled in a St. Catherine College for Women baccalaureate program as at least a half-time student (6 credits per semester) during the award year.

Mary Jane Young Scholarship Application

Mary Jane Young Scholarship Recommendation Form

The Center for Women is offering two seminar scholarship opportunities for St. Kate's students to attend, Women of Color Influencing Washington (November  12–14th, 2021) and Women in Public Policy (January 10-14th, 2022).

The Women of Color Influencing Washington application is due by 4 p.m., Wednesday, October 20th.

The Women in Public Policy application is due by 4 p.m., Tuesday, November 23rd.

Email your completed application materials to aqmcenterforwomen@stkate.edu.

We encourage you to learn more about PLEN at https://plen.org/

2021 PLEN Women of Color Influencing Washington Seminar Scholarship Application

2022 PLEN Women in Public Policy Seminar Scholarship Application

The Phillips Family Foundation recognizes and rewards private college students, from a variety of disciplines, who strive to make life better for those with unmet needs. Students from Minnesota's 15 private colleges and universities are invited to apply to this unique program by submitting a proposed service project to benefit Minnesota communities. Student applicants identify community concerns, explore ways to create social change, and develop ambitious programs that would meet various needs of communities.

At St. Catherine University’s College for Women, the Abigail Quigley McCarthy Center for Women facilitates the process to select a finalist who’ll compete for one of five $16,500 Phillips Scholarships.

Please contact Jewelly Lee in the Abigail Quigley McCarthy Center for Women to find out more about this scholarship program. We can help you with your questions and assist you in planning your community service project. Contact the Center for Women at 651-690-6783 or aqmcenterforwomen@stkate.edu.  

2020-2022 Phillips Scholarship Check List

Phillips Scholars Program

Bag Lunch Discussions

Throughout the academic year, the Center for Women hosts the Women's Studies (WOST) and Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity (CRST) monthly bag lunch discussions series. The series brings together faculty, students, staff, and community members to discuss current research and creative endeavors.

Bring your lunch and your friends! Light refreshments will be served.

Research and Advocacy

The Center houses resources on a wide range of issues relating to women, politics, race, class, gender, sexuality, and other differences. Books are available to check out in The Center's Library. Center members also are available to assist with resources and project ideas.

AQM Library 

The Center's library collection is comprised of published and unpublished resources & books on a wide range of issues relating to women, politics, race, class, gender, sexuality and other differences. Many of these books have been donated by the St. Catherine community of students, faculty, staff, and alumnae. They are available for anyone to check out throughout the year.

Web Resources 

To assist with online research, we have organized the following web resources. These sites were chosen to give a broad sense of the topic area and the variety of resources available.

The St. Catherine University library has also created a guide to women's studies research, including information on women and gender history, women's health, and violence against women.

Library Guide to Women's Studies Resources