Staff
Bridge D'Urso, Director
"I have been a feminist pretty much since I had to do dishes while my brothers watched football, and was never allowed to mow the lawn or play with cool toys. Of course, that general sense of discontent didn't become a full-blown life-long commitment to feminist identity and activism until the fire was fueled with education. So working here, coordinating volunteers, working with students, helping to shape the vision and goals of the center, I get to not only be a professional feminist-maker, but also an educator. It really doesn't get much better. "
Jessica Amo, Assistant Director
"I went to PSU for my graduate degree, and was lucky enough to find myself completing my program's internship at the WRC. Even better, I got to start my new job as WRC Assistant Coordinator in January '08. I spent ten years working in the movement to end violence against women, and was thrilled to have the chance to bring this experience into the inspiring, thoughtful, and engaged world of the WRC. As a domestic & sexual violence advocate I worked in many different settings - nonprofits, police department, research project, living rooms and courtrooms - and each one inspired questions of how to support stronger activism around healthy relationships and families. I'm excited to work with the PSU community to build a connective culture of safety, support, and violence prevention."
Adrienne Graf, Interpersonal Violence Advocate
"I grew up in the Portland area and attended Portland State University for my undergraduate degree. I am so excited to be returning to PSU as a grad student and to have the privilege of working in the Women's Resource Center. Safety from sexual/interpersonal violence, self care, and community building are important to me not only on a personal level but also a professional level as well. Prior to working at the WRC, I was a part of a political sexual assualt support collective, and have been working in the community as a residential counselor at a dual diagnosis group home for the past two years as well as interning as a drug and alchohol counselor for a queer drug and alchohol recovery group. I am committed not only to culturally specific recovery support for the communities that I am involved in, as well as ANYONE experiencing interpersonal violence. Working at the WRC is my dream, come true."
Christine Jarlstrom, Volunteer Coordinator
"I came to the Women's Resource Center (WRC) during New Student week in hopes of finding a place I would feel comfortable and make friends. I found so much more and have been able to gain valuable leadership skills that have added towards my women's studies education and goals of a graduate degree in social work. At the WRC I work to recruit volunteers and organize the orientations, supplemental trainings, and community building events. I have been so thankful to have such a supportive community and hope that I am able to provide leadership development and a welcoming atmosphere to others as well."
Emily Persico, Office Manager
Malika Edden, Empowerment Project Coordinator
"Growing up as the only child of a young single mother I heard the words feminism and feminist at an early age. They were not abstract concepts but rather goals she was working towards for me and her larger community. The belief in doing community work, specifically in relationship to issues that affected women and children were passed down to me by mother and the other amazing women I was surrounded by. After college I spent a number of years teaching and working in the reproductive justice movement. As I enter the School of Social Work here at PSU to get my Masters in Social Work I am excited to be a Graduate Assistant supporting the Empowerment Project. As a “non-traditional” student myself I look forward to working with women from various backgrounds beginning or returning to school. The WRC’s values are directly in line with my own, and the values my mother passed down to me."
Britni Mimms, Women Veteran Outreach Coordinator
Britni Mimms is a photographer, foodie, urban gardener, chef, craft-enthusiast and perpetual student (because who doesn't like learning?) When not studying her way through more college units than any human should ever undertake at one time, she enjoys crocheting items to beat the Portland weather or taking on new kitchen adventures like canning blackberry jam or making fresh cheese. Though she has lived all across the globe, she chooses to make her home in beautiful Portland, Oregon because of the ample farmers markets and locally-brewed IPAs. Mostly the IPAs. As a veteran and former Orientation Leader, Britni’s depth of expertise in navigating PSU is extensive. She is a great resource for returning students to talk to, and works closely with the Empowerment Project as the Women Veteran Outreach Coordinator. Also, she can’t wait to meet you!
Nicole Johnson, Outreach Coordinator
"With a passion for social work and social justice, I arrived at the Women’s Resource Center for field practicum to complete my requirement for my degree in Social Work. At the WRC, for the year my job is to outreach to underserved groups and individuals on the Portland State University campus. My job is to build awareness around the awesomeness of the WRC and what we have to offer. We have so many great resources that all students and staff are welcome to use. My knowledge about the WRC was very minimal before I worked here, and now that I know what I was missing I want everyone to know the warm, welcoming atmosphere that we have. One of my goals that I am achieving is that I am a co-coordinator of one largest events organized by the WRC which is Take Back the Night/ Bike back The Night. I am proud to be involved and we welcome others to do the same.”
Kari Anne McDonald, Events Coordinator
Kari Anne returned to college in 2008 and her first term at PSU she took an Intro to Women’s Studies class that changed her life. The next term she started volunteering with the Women’s Resource Center at their front desk. After returning to school she realized her passion for ending violence against women and human trafficking and shaped her Liberal Studies degree around these issues. In 2009 Kari Anne became a chartering member of Portland Rotaract, a leadership and service organization sponsored by Rotary International. Working with Rotaract she gained essential skills around event planning, leadership through service, graphic design and website developing. In summer 2010 Kari Anne took the WRC’s Capstone, Sexual Assault on College Campus, and after the class volunteered to continue working on the capstone project and add the information the WRC website. In October 2010 she applied for the WRC Publicist position and was hired. She graduated in August 2011 with a Bachelor degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She has recently started in her new position as the Events Coordinator at the WRC and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration at PSU.
Deborah Lee, Publicist
“I am one of a growing number of women who have decided to give higher education another try. It was both exciting and fulfilling to finally reach my goal of an undergraduate degree at Portland State University and walk in the 2011 June Commencement Ceremony. My experience at PSU has been rewarding on so many levels that I’m now encouraged to continue in a graduate writing program. I am also excited to have joined the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) in the role of Publicist. It is personally meaningful to contribute to the WRC’s mission and encourage other returning women students at PSU. I am also passionate about supporting single mothers to reach their educational goals. It’s no surprise to me that I have arrived here at this point in my life. I've come to realize that the relationships I value most are those I share with women – mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, classmates, mentors, and colleagues. These relationships shape my identity, inspire me, make me laugh, encourage me, and make me stronger. When women support each other, there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish together.”
