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| Campus women’s issues
important for all students |
Carrie
Baker
Senior Staff Writer
Chancellor/ Student Development Beat |
Monica Geraci | The AppalachianKimberly M. Pott, a freshman from
Asheville, works in the Women’s Center
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The Appalachian State University
Women’s Center has been proudly serving and aiding students
in the area of women’s issues for five years, but junior interdisciplinary
major Zachary D. Lesch-Huie would like to correct one misconception:
the Women’s Center is not just for women.
“Women’s issues are very important to
be involved in because women are our mothers, sisters and friends,
so issues aren’t only theirs, they are ours as well,”
said Lesch-Huie. “Anybody who believes in equality of people
by that definition is already involved in women’s issues.”
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Lesch-Huie became interested
in volunteering with the Women’s Center, located on the first
floor of Plemmons Student Union in the Nolichuckey River Room, when
he took a class taught by Lee Williams, advisor for the Women’s
Center.
“The feeling was that if we continue to exclude
men from organizations that focus on women’s issue, we would
be missing apportunities to make allies with men. Men are much more
effective as allies than opponents,” said Williams.
“We want to emphasize that men are welcome,” said Elizabeth
H. Harding, a graduate assistant in the Women’s Center. “I
think many people may not realize that and they need to.”
“Part of the reason I wanted to volunteer was to show it isn’t
a gender-exclusive place,” said Lesch-Huie.
Lesch-Huie, a co-coordinator on the outreach committee, is one of
many volunteers that keep the Women’s Center running. Forty
volunteers this semester are contributing to the goal to “enhance
awareness of the challenges facing women on this campus and in this
society, and to promote, support and celebrate the diverse Appalachian
State University’s women’s community.”
Sophomore Alice F. Sebley, co-coordinator of membership development,
is in her third semester with the Women’s Center. She chose
to volunteer so she could “help people in making better decisions
and inform people,” and in turn she helped herself as well.
“[Volunteering] helped in the transition to college. I made
friends interested in the same things I am, but they also have diversity.”
Sebley stressed the importance of involvement for any student. Sebley
said her involvement gave her a sense of inclusion and belonging
along with the awarding sense of being able to help others in her
community.
Helping others is a key component to the Women’s Center.
“From psychological to studying to health concerns, any problems
students are having at ASU, we will help you or find someone who
can help you. We’re an excellent referral service in that way,”
said Lesch-Huie.
The mission statement for the Women’s Center states, “We
will strive to foster an environment that creates opportunities
for the education, leadership development and personal growth of
women regardless of their background or beliefs.”
This promise to educate can be found in the number of activities
volunteers create every month.
“There is no set rule for what we focus on each month. Each
person brings in different ideas,” said Harding.
These ideas are discussed and brought to life by volunteers themselves.
“It’s a great opportunity for leadership,” said Harding.
These opportunities for leadership mean lots of work for volunteers.
“There is a continuum of responsibilities for volunteers,”
said Lesch-Huie. The biggest overall responsibility for volunteers
is keeping the Women’s Center up and running.
“Volunteers are totally responsible for keeping this place
open. It’s true student initiative and creativity,” said
Lesch-Huie.
The current Women’s Center was formed from a plan that was
20 years in the making before its proposal in 1997, said Williams.
A group of women from diverse backgrounds came together to propose
a student focused program. The end result is the student volunteer
run Women’s Center of today.
The volunteers even employ graduate assistant Harding, who holds
the only paid position in the Women’s Center. Harding, who
is working on a master’s degree in community counseling, said
she feels the Women’s Center is the best place for her to continue
her studies.
“I wanted work in a place connected with the university where
women can empower themselves and help them make good decisions.
If I can help encourage that, it feels so good.”
The interior of the Women’s Center is as inviting as its mission
statement and volunteers. Attractive decorations and important upcoming
event information adorn the walls. Comfortable couches are arranged
to accommodate lounging, conversation, studying or just hanging
out. Perhaps the best part about the easy-going atmosphere is that
it is completely open to everyone.
“We are a community of members and non-members,” said
Lesch-Huie. “We welcome everyone.”
October, being Breast Cancer Awareness month and Domestic Violence
Awareness month, means volunteers are extra busy. Activities such
as “brown bag lunches” are to raise awareness on women’s
issues brought forth by volunteers.
Brown bag lunches offer opportunities each month for students to
get together and listen to a speaker on a certain issue and invite
discussion.
This month, different lunches will be held on the topics of breast
cancer and domestic violence awareness.
Along with the brown bag lunches, contact tables and information
sessions will be held to mark this month of awareness. |
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