By Delia Paunescu
In keeping with its tradition of highlighting diversity, the Office of Multicultural and International Student Programs (MISPO) celebrated Women’s “Herstory” Month this past Thursday. Held on Axinn library’s 10th floor, the event was the inaugural opening reception for a March dedicated to women’s issues.
The hour-long event featured speeches by six different student keynote speakers; Marcella Duque and Chelsea Cruz of Omega Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Kayleigh Tompkins of the Student Government Association’s (SGA) elections commission, Vanessa Sanchez, of Hermanadad de Sigma Iota Alpha Sorority, Inc., Lydia Pleiman, SGA Spirit Committee Chair and President of Radio Television News Directors Association, as well as Amanda Matrangelo, president of the University’s Women of Action cultural student group, gave their take on the question, “what if women ruled the world?” Robin Doublebower, President of College Democrats, acted as the evening’s emcee.
Having so many University students involved in actual presentation is something Ryan Green, Director of MISPO and the event’s main organizer, considers “an important facet.”
“Women approach the world from a number of different perspectives,” Green explained. “To have six women from different walks of life speak was a great opportunity to see students shine.”
Additionally, the evening’s keynote speech was given by Erin Valardi, who serves as National Program Director for The White House Project. Having worked to get female candidates elected nationwide, her speech focused on inspiring young women to run for public office, or at least consider the possibility. The event also received Define ’09 consideration as a result of Valardi’s political ties.
Susan Murphy, Assistant Dean of the School of Communication, was on the planning panel for the reception. She admitted that Valardi was not the original choice. “At first I was going to go for one of the super-name media types, some anchorwoman,” Murphy said. “But I’m so glad Erin came. She’s only 28, so inspiring for the younger women.”
“This was the first year that we’ve done anything for the month,” said Tompkins, a senior political science and sociology major. “That was really exciting.”
Tompkins’ speech focused on the different ways she believed women would be treated if they held equal standing with males. She brought up such topics as equal wages and an end to the demeaning treatment women receive at mechanic shops and car dealerships.
“My goal was not to minimize the progress that [women have] made but also to note that there are many key differences between how men and women live their lives,” Tompkins said. “It’s very important for women to understand that the movement isn’t over. There are still things that could be done and we all have to make a contribution.”
Green admitted that doing the reception was not an easy task. “Anytime you step forward and break new ground there’s so much preparation involved.” He added, “We were really lucky that the School of Communication came on board and co-sponsored the event with us.”
The event itself, along with the rest of the programs planned for the remaining Women’s “Herstory” Month, had 29 co-sponsors from throughout the University. “I really feel like this month has been such a collaborative effort across campus. Without other offices contributing events it would be a huge challenge. It’s the colleagues that really contribute to the overall success of the month,” said Green.
In the end, the reception drew in just over 80 attendees. “I was delighted with the way it turned out and even 65 times more delighted with the student speakers,” Murphy said, ultimately describing the reception as “brain food.”
“Sometimes you sit at events and it washes over you. But not this one. No…brain food.”
Having an event like this on campus shows students that the University values minority culture, Tompkins explained. “If females don’t see that they have a place on campus, they’ll have a difficult time envisioning an important place for them in the larger society,” she said