To the rhythm of traditional drumming and the bilingual chant of “Yo soy ella! I am she! Womxn Up!” 50 BCC women marched across the Quad and up the stairs of the Roscoe Brown Student Center for the March 19 ribbon-cutting ceremony and official opening of “Womxn Up! A Space to Re-Source” — the first campus home for women and female-identified students and the only such service in CUNY’s three Bronx colleges.

Gloria Rodriguez, lecturer in the BCC Department of Social Sciences and Faculty Director of the re-envisioned teal-colored space, addressed a crowded corridor of excited celebrants in front of Room 203B. “Thank you to everyone who is here and everyone who has been a part in making this a reality,” she said, noting that “We began working on the creation of Womxn Up! two years ago.” Those who participated in the creation of the resource room were easily identifiable by their teal scarves. Speakers at the ceremony included President Thomas A. Isekenegbe and Student Adviser Amanda Perez, as well as BCC students Heidi Lopez and Stephanie Dorleans, the latter representing the Student Government Association.

The Womxn Up! headquarters, as outlined in its original proposal, “will serve as an on-campus resource for outreach and support services addressing the needs of women in the BCC community,” offering “a holistic approach to supporting women’s emotional, spiritual social, academic and professional growth.” Open unofficially since the beginning of the academic year, the very unoffice-like office is filled with artwork and reading material and welcoming furnishings.

The auspicious debut of Womxn Up! A Space to Re-Source ended with a song and a reception and great expectations.