In spring 2014, Katie Wagner and Kristina Sonstroem realized USF St. Petersburg didn’t have a club devoted to feminism or the empowerment of women – they wanted to change that.
That fall, they held their first Women Empowerment Club meeting.
The club now brings about 20 people to its meetings and has 10 dedicated members. It is sponsored by Dr. Judithanne McLauchlan and has garnered the support of local politicians and organizations.
“The goal of the Women Empowerment Club is to raise awareness about gender issues on campus and to promote gender equality,” said Wagner, the club’s president. “In my opinion, the most important part of the club is having a space on campus to discuss gender issues – an open, welcoming, nonjudgmental space.”
The club meets biweekly on Thursdays. The first meeting serves as an open discussion on a particular issue, while the second features a speaker. The club aims to invite guests who are experts on the topics discussed to add to the club’s conversation.
The group also holds special events in partnership with organizations such as the League of Women Voters, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Planned Parenthood, and Business & Professional Women’s Foundation to present the public with relevant information on women’s issues.
Sonstroem, the club’s vice president, finds CASA to be one of the more beneficial talks they have.
“I like when CASA comes, it is a really important event” she said. “Domestic violence is such a real thing that happens every day, and people don’t want to talk about it.”
On Jan. 26, an expert panel was invited to educate people on human trafficking and its effect on the Tampa Bay area. They group discussed the laws and behaviors that surround the issue, and provided contact information for those who find or suspect someone is being trafficked. The club worked with the League of Women Voters to bring the speakers to campus.
“Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,” the organization’s next major event, will be held on March 31.
The event will invite students to walk a mile in high heels across campus to bring attention to the issues of rape, sexual assault and gender-based violence.
USFSP freshman Megan Hammer joined the club in November after attending the last meeting of the fall semester, which focused on the international spectrum of women’s rights.
“Nora Khatcherian (the club’s programming coordinator) gave the presentation and she rocked it,” Hammer said. “Her passion for what she was talking about, combined with my interest in the subject, made me feel that the Women Empowerment Club was something I could really be a part of.”
Hammer said there are important advantages to the club and the safe space it provides.
“My favorite part, I would say, (is) being able to discuss all of these different issues and educate people about things like sex trafficking, wage gap and body image.” Hammer said.
“I find that a lot of people have a lot to say about these things, but have trouble finding the right atmosphere. So that’s what we do, we give those issues a place to (be brought) to light.”
