Among the students in the organization Women Organizing Women, the word “feminist” is called “the f-word” because on campus, students view feminism nearly as vulgar as the real “f-word.”
But Women Organizing Women wants to change that.
“Feminism is not a dirty word,” said student member Toni Vanwinkle.
Women Organizing Women, or WOW, is dedicated to feminist activism on the LSU campus and uses peer education to spread the word about issues such as personal safety, sexual assault and rape, their official literature states.
Organization president Rebecca Florek said people are afraid of the word “feminism.”
“If you say women’s rights, people are more receptive,” Florek said.
Vanwinkle said WOW is committed to improving the status of women in the LSU community.
“Feminism means something different to every person in this room,” Vanwinkle said. “We come together for a common goal.”
This common goal manifests itself through WOW’s participation in events during the fall such as Week Without Violence and Take Back the Night March. They host a candlelight vigil on campus for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
WOW was responsible for moving the Women’s Center to its present location on Raphael Semmes Road and helped create a position for a full-time director.
Their performance arts night for women, titled “Women in the Arts,” filled the African American Cultural Center on March 28 in order to “promote the fellowship and work of women artists at LSU,” the brochure stated.
On Monday, April 28, WOW will host a panel discussion in McVoy Hall at 7 p.m. and will discuss misconceptions about feminism and answer any questions students may have.
“It’s not just gay men or lesbians,” Vanwinkle said. “We are open to all races, religions, genders and any sexual orientation. We’re not man-haters.”
WOW is exclusive in one respect — their Sappho suppers, a potluck dinner and social time strictly designed for women every month. The next Sappho supper will be April 25.
“It’s a girls-only party,” said Sara Gore, a French junior. “There’s no pressure to look cute. We’re just here to focus on the group and learn about other people.”
The students have been working for more than a year with the Rape Crisis Center to provide rape kits at the LSU Student Health Center.
Amber Abel, a petroleum engineering junior, said she suspects the reason the University has been sluggish in bringing the rape kits to campus is because it would be admitting that rape happens at LSU. This does not make the University look good, she said.
Kayla Bourg, a women’s and gender studies senior, said another reason the process has taken so long is there is already a Rape Crisis Center in Baton Rouge.
“But some women don’t have the transportation to get to the Rape Crisis Center, or the money to spend,” Bourg said.
Kathryn Poplin, a political science sophomore, said the network of students at WOW has been good for her.
WOW is a nonpartisan organization and has no official stand on abortion, Florek said. It is simply a place where women can tell their stories, she said.
Interested students can learn more at WOW’s Web site, www.womenorganizingwomen.com. Students also can call the Women’s Center at 578-1714.