Society of Feminists aims to boost presence at SU

The Society of Feminists, through open forums and events, aims to educate students on the systems of power and privilege, especially between males and females, and what should be done to increase equality. The club presents itself as a reflection of Seattle University's value of "educating the whole person."

"Sex and gender affects the ways we interact with the world, and the ways the world interacts with us. It's important for our generation to be aware of this, especially in relation to the conditions of women; that is the focus that the Society of Feminists takes," said the club's co-president Stephanie Malinowski, sophomore English and women studies major.

Malinowski points to the high ratio of women to men at Seattle University as further proof for the necessity of a club like theirs on campus.

"We need to have a space to discuss these important issues," she said.

While the Society of Feminists has co-sponsored several events with other campus organizations, Malinowski says the club has not put on an events independently yet and is "still in a planning phase." They hope to present several events later in the year on a variety of topics, from women's health to global injustice issues.

For the past several months, members had been preparing to attend a conference in North Carolina but recently found out there was no more space available for their group. Malinowski hopes the club will be able to go to a different conference in mid-April in New Orleans: a three-day celebration for the ten-year anniversary of V-Day, the global movement to stop violence against women and girls.

"It sounds very exciting, though we still need to talk the details over with the club," said Malinowski.

Acting as advisor for the club is Maria Bullon-Fernandez, associate professor of English and director of the Women's Studies program. Because of her involvement with gender issues in the Women's Studies program, Bullon said it was only natural for her to become the club's advisor.

"We support each other," she said. "I keep the club updated on what is going on with Women's Studies, and in turn they let me know what their plans are."

Bullon-Fernandez feels the Society of Feminists acts as a good supplement for those involved with Women's Studies, as well as a way for other students to become involved with the issues.

"I would hope that it would-and I believe that it does-offer an opportunity for both men and women who are interested in the issues of gender to create a sense of community for events and discussion," she said.

The club was first registered in the fall of 2003 by Ann Schiffer, then a non-traditional student and now an administrative assistant at Seattle University. During spring quarter of 2003, Schiffer took an upper-level women's theory class and was inspired by the course professor, Jennifer Vest [now at UCLA], to start a club which would focus on women's issues.

"I hoped that the creation of this club would create more balance on campus," said Schiffer. "The one thing we needed was more space for women's voices to be heard."

When the group became an official club, they immediately began working on their big event: bringing the "Vagina Monologues" to campus. While the play often sparks controversy when it is performed, Schiffer said it was well received on campus.

"This university has been very positive in their response to both the group and the show," said Schiffer. "They didn't get in the way and recognized that, ultimately, the show is about justice issues. We had great support from the top down."

The Society of Feminists co-sponsored the "Vagina Monologues" with the Drama Department for four years, donating the profits from the production to local women's charities. Ultimately, the club's connection with the drama department dwindled, and the leaders who had started the event graduated, causing the show to no longer be put on at Seattle U. Schiffer said the break from putting on the production has given the club opportunities to pursue other goals.

"Without having to worry about the show, the officers have had the chance to increase membership, work on going to conferences and really find out what they want to focus on," she added.

Schiffer continues to act as the club treasurer but, with the increased membership and dedication to the club by its leading officers, she is now ready to take a step back.

"I helped keep the club afloat, and now that it's really going, it's time for the students to decide what they want to do with it," she said.