USM Committee on Services and Resources for Women Holding Book Drive to Benefit Local Elementary School

Mon, 03/07/2022 - 01:33pm | By: Van Arnold

Students at Thames Elementary School in Hattiesburg will have an opportunity to learn more about the contributions of women and girls in history courtesy of the Marjorie Spruill Book Drive administered by the Committee on Services and Resources for Women (CSRW) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).

The book drive, created by former USM history Professor Marjorie (Wheeler) Spruill, is part of Women’s History Month programming at the University. The CSRW coordinated with Thames School Principal Christie Moss and Librarian Tamara Smith to provide books for the students.

Dr. Kate Greene, Associate Professor of political science at USM, helped revive the book drive last year after several years of dormancy.

“The book drive is designed to provide local schools with books about women since they have long been excluded from our history,” said Greene, who serves as the book drive’s coordinator. “Today, we actively try to find books about minority women as well. It is important because most school libraries are so poorly funded that they only have outdated books.”

Due to COVID-19 concerns, rather than accepting donations directly, an Amazon Wish List has been set up where books can be purchased and shipped to a CSRW member who will deliver them. All books have been vetted by Ms. Smith. CSRW requests that only books from the wish list be purchased. The book drive will continue through the end of March.

Last year the CSRW partnered with Burger Middle School in Hattiesburg on the donation of 52 books.

The Committee on Services and Resources for Women (CSRW) is an interdisciplinary group of USM-affiliated individuals interested in women's issues on campus and in the local Hattiesburg community. Since 1984, the CSRW has been active in the promotion of women's issues by coordinating the University's annual Women's History Month program and providing funding for research by faculty and students related to gender and women. 

Dr. Candice Salyers, Assistant Professor of Dance, serves as the current CSRW chair. She notes that the committee provides an opportunity to come together across disciplines at USM to acknowledge and reflect upon issues of importance in the lives of women, and to create positive change for women both at and beyond the University.

“CRSW is a group of USM faculty, staff, and students who are committed to serving women both within the University and the communities it serves by identifying needs, promoting resources to meet those needs, and acting as a catalyst for improving the status and lives of women. We fulfill this mission through education, programming, and networking,” said Salyers.