The Ohio University Student Senate's Women's Affairs Commission played host to the first OU Women Leaders Working Together conference yesterday.
Representatives from four different campus groups met in the Baker University Center's 1804 Lounge to discuss women's issues, including upcoming events and collaboration.
The Women's Affairs Commission organized the conference in an effort to reach out to women's groups on campus and raise awareness for Take Back the Night, said Kat Allen, intern for the Women's Affairs Commission.
Allen said her own experience with women's groups inspired her to plan yesterday's conference.
I'm in a lot of groups on campus
Allen said. I've noticed that people work very hard to benefit their groups but the same events are attended by the same people. There isn't a lot of diversity.
With these goals in mind, the Women's Affairs Commission decided on a date for the event and e-mailed 20 different organizations. Nine organizations responded, but representatives from only four student groups showed up at the conference, including Women Acting For Change, the Black Student Cultural Programming Board, the Women's Panhellenic Association and Student Senate. The group generated ideas and discuss upcoming events.
Take Back the Night was the main point of discussion. It is an international movement that protests violence toward women. At OU, the event is an entire week of activities coordinated by the Women's Affairs Commission. Elaine Kaylor, women's affairs commissioner, stressed the need for collaboration with the whole campus during the event. There is a certain mentality about Take Back the Night Kaylor said. We have to broaden this mentality and get everyone involved.
The group also talked about self defense classes and the Women's Affairs Commission attempt to add a blue light for emergency calls near Ellis Hall. Chad Barnhardt, assistant director of student activities for campus programs, spoke about the Year of the Women, a developing program that, if approved, will combine existing programs together to bring events, such as speakers and performances to OU that deal with women's issues.
Although the turnout was less than expected, Allen was very optimistic about the outcome and hopes to continue meeting every quarter.
As women
it doesn't matter what color we are or what culture we are from; we all face certain issues
said Danielle Best, vice president of the Black Student Cultural Programming Board. This meeting gave me important insight to take back to my group.
17
Archives
Anna Sudar
