Catherine of Siena Virtual
College was founded in 2004 by a group of academics who were concerned
about the plight of women in the world.
The next few years were devoted to
setting up the infra-structures required for such an undertaking.
In 2007 a USA Trust was established
as Housetop Center for Women's Ministries,
a non-profit educational corporation in the State of Ohio.
Our
College began with a series of test courses in cyberspace from September
2007. On 7 January 2008 the College was formally opened to students.
Roots in the past
The roots of our Virtual College
lie in the experiences of our Trustees, Patrons and Staff. We will
indicate some typical examples which are purely indicative and in
no way exhaustive.
- Our President, Ursula King,
saw first-hand in India, when studying in Delhi in 1969, how the
education of women can transform their prospects in cultures dominated
by men. She witnessed the same in universities across the globe.
Since then she has become one of the most prominent feminist scholars
in the world.
- From 1984 Sister Mary
John Mananzan, one of our Patrons, gave birth to women-centered
programs in the Philippines among them GABRIELA, the Institute of
Women Studies, Women Ecology and Wholeness Farm, and the Women Crisis
Center.
- Pat Pinsent, our Academic
Coordinator, discovered the merit of distance education when she
obtained a BA degree by correspondence at the University of London
(First Class honors in English) in 1963. She also gained experience
as a Tutor at the Open University in the UK while completing
her MA and PhD Degrees (London & Surrey).
- Our Joint-Vice President, Deborah
Rose-Milavec, is a dedicated feminist. She spent her adult life
working to create a more just and peaceful world for women through
her work as the Executive Director of a domestic violence prevention
agency, peace advocacy, working with youth and young adults to strengthen
their educational possibilities and a lifetime of volunteer work
with youth and the economically disadvanted.
All our Patrons, Trustees and Staff
members recount similar experiences. All have been involved in programmes
of educating and liberating women. Our Catherine of Siena Virtual
Colleges arises from the life-long commitment of many to empowering
women.
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