Iowa State’s only delegate to the 1995 United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women said she would work to “keep up the momentum” for women’s rights.

Theresa McCormick, a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, presented slides, music and an overview of the conference’s focus to about 20 ISU students and faculty members Tuesday.

“You have to move into action,” McCormick said, “We aren’t giving up.”

McCormick attended the Non-Government Organizations (NGO) Conference which ran parallel to the main U.N. conference. She said she is eager to continue sharing experiences and knowledge with the ISU community.

“The difference between the NGO and U.N. conference … was first world and third world,” McCormick said.

Participants in the NGO conference had to make a 40- to 50-minute bus trip from Beijing to Huairou, China each morning to the conference site, McCormick said. The bus trips gave the women time to talk and acquaint themselves with each other.

Despite the reports of inconveniences and difficulties during the conference, McCormick said she was not affected. She said she felt safe during her stay.

“I wasn’t ever afraid,” McCormick said, “I never felt threatened by guards. Actually I was glad they were there.”

There was an overwhelming number of speakers, workshops and presentations to attend, McCormick said.

The sessions McCormick attended focused mainly on globalization of economies, the increase of fundamentalism and conservatism and the increased backlash against women and minorities.

While McCormick did not attend the conference as a speaker or presenter, she said she did enjoy the opportunity to sing with the Anchorage Alaska International Women’s Choir during a performance. The choir recruited more than 100 singers and performed near the conference’s conclusion.

McCormick began her stay in China with a tour of the country and spent about a month there. She was among about 25 other Iowans who attended the conference, which drew about 35,000 representatives.