The Fuerza: Black and Latinx Student Union held their first “Empowering Women’s Panel” Monday night as a way of celebrating International Women’s Day. They invited everyone on campus to come to the panel to emphasize sisterhood and power.
International Women’s Day is a day to advocate anti-sexism, anti-discrimination and civil awareness. Jade Estremera, the president of the board, and treasurer Alyssa Ferreira asked the panel questions surrounding the everyday life and struggle of being a woman. Every panel member was female, and each had their own stories.
Ferreira asked both the audience and panel if anyone considers themselves a feminist and if any men consider themselves a feminist. There were mixed responses.
“The word ‘feminist’ is often mixed with ‘feminine,’ which is why some men won’t consider themselves a ‘feminist,’ even though they both have two different meanings,” event coordinator Rubin Gonzalez said.
Estremera and Ferreira gave a presentation on the history of feminism and shared interesting facts. One fact Estremera found interesting was that in 1969, by marriage, men and women were one, so women weren’t seen as valuable unless they were married. Another fact shared was in 1848, the first ever women’s rights convention took place in Seneca Falls, New York. The first International Women’s Day took place in 1911, and there were 10 values that guided the women towards this day: dignity, justice, hope, equality, collaboration, tenacity, appreciation, respect, empathy and forgiveness.
Throughout the panel, topics like the difference between the word “girl” and “woman,” cheaper bras, rape culture, the word “guys” and how it may offend others, were discussed. Everyone was respectful, and both the president and treasurer preached to respect and allow each other to voice their opinions.
Email Charlize Guerra at cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
