Because women have been struggling for equal rights in this country for more than 150 years, Cerritos College has been holding workshops and discussions in celebration of Women’s History Month.

But some women on campus have overcome the stereotypes.

One on these women is Vice President of Academic Affairs Marilyn Brock.

“There is a much broader acceptance of women in a variety of fields,” she said. “The general public it not shocked when women are in high positions.”

Another is Director of Student Activities Holly Bogdanovich.

She said, “When I was in college, I had a male professor tell me that I would never get a master’s degree, but I got it anyway.”

She had many mentors that helped achieve her goals. One was Fran Newman, who was a counselor at Cerritos College when Bogdanovich was a student.

Female students on campus feel that no goal is unachievable.

“My professors tell me anything is possible regalrdless of gender as long as I work hard,” ASCC Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs Nancy Lopez said.

She thinks that people are treated equally on campus.

On the ASCC Cabinet, she said there is total equality and there is good balance between the number of men and women.

However, there are times she has felt discrimatied against.

“On other campuses, sometimes I felt people think I am not as capable because I am a woman,” she said.

Since the Civil Rights Movement began, women have made great strides in getting equal rights but there is still a way to go.

“The pay scale is getting better but in the private industry there still is not equal pay for equal work,” Brock said.

“There still are real and perceived glass ceilings. Theoretically, it is possible for women to get into high positions but it might take longer or they might have to move around more.

One trend Brock is glad to see is the number of female applicants in medical and dental schools has increased.

“There are more women than men apply for medical school and that is a real change.

She is disappointed that there are not a lot of young women following the same path as her generation did.

“Young women are staying at home and raising their families,” Brock said. “To see them not even excited about being a part of the movement is hard to take.”

She said that she does understand that it is hard to raise a family and have a career, “But I did.”