Students for Gender Equality tries to raise awareness
By: Sanela Dzankovic
Issue date: 3/17/04 Section: Culture
- Page 1 of 2 next >
|
In today's public arena, women's issues are frequently discussed. Topics like abortion, politics and equality of women in the workplace are common conversations. Even today, there are groups that believe that gender equality is still unevenly balanced.
Students for Gender Equality (SFGE) is one of those groups, but with a focus that mostly concerns college students. Since its establishment last fall, SFGE has grown to a membership of 70 students and into one of Webster's most-known student organizations.
"Most of our work is about women's equal rights and issues that are still present today," said Janie Henderson, vice president of SFGE. "We also make it a priority to work with other organizations that deal with gender equality like Equal Education Association, National Organization for Women and others."
SFGE has participated in some community events this year. Some members attended a student conference in Stephen's College in Columbia, sponsored by the National Organization for Women. They also volunteered at a women's abuse shelter for WebsterWorksWorldwide.
Henderson says that most of the members of SFGE are women, but there are a few men who are active as well. The group meets about once a week and discusses upcoming events.
"We just held a faculty panel on women and body image, where faculty from all departments shared their expertise of issues with the portrayal of women and how it affects their body image," Henderson said. "It was our first discussion panel, and it was a huge success. We are going to try to have one on a different topic each semester."
Don Conway-Long, a professor in behavioral and social sciences department, took part in the faculty panel. Conway-Long also teaches women's studies courses and is a strong supporter of SFGE.
"I am glad that there is an organization on campus that deals with these issues," Conway-Long said. "There definitely needs to be a present awareness about rape, abortion and other issues amongst college women."
One way to do this at Webster, according to Conway-Long, is to put more resources into the women's studies program.
"Our women's studies program is made up of adjuncts from many different departments, and there is absolutely no full-time faculty," Conway-Long said.
