The Daily Egyptian - March 1, 2023

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SIU celebrating Women’s History Month

Christi Mathis CMathis@siu edu

In celebration of Women’s History Month in March, Southern Illinois University Carbondale will be hosting numerous special events, including guest speakers, a movie, discussions, a contest and much more.

Stories told in myriad ways

Throughout the month, women will be telling their unique stories in numerous ways, with events free and open to the public.

and open to the public, the event will focus on ways to eradicate discrimination. Refreshments will be provided, and a silent walk will wrap up the event.

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The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a weekly basis. Fall and spring semester editions run every Wednesday. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale, Carterville, and Springfield communities. The Daily Egyptian can be found at www.dailyegyptian.com or on the Daily Egyptian app!

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“This year’s Women’s History Month theme is ‘Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,’ and it is really so important that we recognize women past and present who have been or are active in their communities,” said Charah McKenzie, Women’s Resource Center coordinator. “This includes, but is in no way limited to authors, journalists, artists, social activists, doctors, lawyers, educators, storytellers and members of the media. We want to honor the stories and experiences captured by women before us and let our stories guide the pathway for women in this generation. This is not the time for women to ease, but rather, we must keep pushing for equality, especially with the continuous threat of laws that dictate how much say women should have over their bodies. Let us celebrate not just in March, but all year-round, women who told and continue to tell their stories.”

The celebration begins with a kickoff on March 1, featuring Sheila Simon, assistant professor of law at the SIU School of Law. She will speak about “Finding and Sharing Women’s History.”

The doors open at 12:30 p.m. for the event in the Student Center Ballroom B with the luncheon and Simon’s presentation beginning at 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to wear purple in celebration of Women’s History Month.

Simon, who served as the Illinois lieutenant governor from 20112015, is a long-time law teacher and the first staff attorney for the Domestic Violence Clinic. She is a board member for the Women’s Center, Equality Illinois and Marcy’s Law Illinois, and a former Carbondale city council member.

The virtual 2023 Conference on Women Telling Our Stories is set for 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 3. With the theme of “Telling our Stories,” there will be more than 20 sessions that participants can enjoy. The conference will feature research presentations, creative performances, roundtable discussions, personal and professional development workshops, documentaries, media sessions, discussions and more. Register in advance online.

The previous day, as a segue to the conference, SIU students will make their voices heard in ways that make them comfortable during “The Stories that Make Us,” a showcase featuring diverse storytelling through poetry slam, spoken word and other art forms. The event is set for 5-6:30 p.m. March 2 in the Big Muddy Room at the Student Center. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) counselors will be on hand to assist as needed.

Dr. Erhime Badejo, an emergency medicine physician with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, will speak about “Black Women Leading in the Healthcare Field” at 4:30 p.m. March 24 in Wheeler Hall, third floor. Badejo, who is also a life coach, hosts the podcast “Beyond Your Scars with Erhime,” which seeks to inspire listeners to “see possibilities beyond the roadblocks of life.” Her own story began in a poor rural inner-city hospital when she was born to a teenage mother. Her career began as a nursing assistant and advanced through the educational system while working, becoming a nurse, then a nurse practitioner. She completed her medical degree to become certified in family medicine at the SIU School of Medicine.

Other highlights of Women’s History Month include:

Zero Discrimination Day –March 2, 1-3 p.m. Student Services Building, Rooms 150/160. Free

Women’s International Day –There will be a contest on March 8 giving students the opportunity to win a $50 gift card by submitting a one-page essay about how students can celebrate or reflect on Women’s International Day. In addition, everyone is encouraged to wear purple in recognition of the day.

“Selena” – March 23, 5-7:30 p.m. at Student Center Auditorium. The movie celebrates the impact the Latina singer made on the music and world with her work still celebrated nearly 28 years after her death.

Various other special events including a Black and Queer Roundtable discussion at 4:30 p.m. March 9 at the Student Services Building, Rooms 150/160 and a Lunch and Learn Women and Affirmative Action event, 11:30-1 p.m. March 21. There will also be a Black Women’s Brunch, 11:30 a.m. March 23, a Celebrating Gender Equality Day event at 2 p.m. March 23 at the Illinois Room at the Student Center and “Ask a Black Woman,” 6 p.m. March 31 at the Student Center Auditorium. A food and clothing drive is set for 3:30-6 p.m. March 27 at Student Services Building 150/160 as well. Find the complete schedule of events on the Women’s Resource Center website. The center is a unit of the Vice Chancellor for Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Contact Charah McKinzie, the center’s coordinator, at charah.mckinzie@siu.edu or 618-453-3470.

Sponsors include the Women’s Resource Center, Student Multicultural Resource Center, Med Prep Program, Career Services, Black Affairs Council, Africana Theatre Laboratory, and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies.

Christi Mathis, SIU Communications can be reached at cmathis@siu.edu

Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories 2023 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

MARCH 1

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH KICKOFF

CELEBRATING GENDER EQUALITY DAY

2 pm » Student Center Illinois Room

Presenter: Dr. Cindy Buys. Sponsored by Career Services & Women’s Resource Center.

12:30 - 2:30 pm » Student Center Ballroom B

Speaker: Dr. Sheila Simon.

Free lunch and prizes will be provided. Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center.

MARCH 2

ZERO DISCRIMINATION DAY

Raisingour voices

MARCH 24

1 - 3 pm » Student Services Bldg. 150/160 & Pavilion

Sign the Zero Discrimination pledge, join the campus walk to end discrimination, and get free games, prizes, and refreshments.

Sponsored by LGBTQ Resource Center, Women’s Resource Center, Hispanic/Latino Resource Center & Student Health Center.

THE STORIES THAT MAKE US

5 - 6:30 pm » Student Center Big Muddy Room

Showcases various expressions of storytelling. Correlated with the Conference on Women. Sponsored by Network Empowering Women, Women’s Resource Center, Black Affairs Council, Latino Cultural Association, Hispanic Student Council, Saluki Rainbow Network, International Student Council, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

QUEER CINEMA

7 pm » Student Center Auditorium

Film shorts featuring various queer women’s experiences. Sponsored by LGBTQ Resource Center.

MARCH 3

2023 CONFERENCE ON WOMEN: TELLING OUR STORIES

8:30 am - 5 pm » Virtual https://conferenceservices.siu.edu/conferences/womens/womens-conference.php

MARCH 8

BLACK WOMEN LEADING IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD

4:30 pm - 6 pm » Wheeler Hall 3rd Floor

MakingHERstoy

Black representation matters concerning Black Women’s health. This event will be a discussion of Black Women that are leading in the healthcare field and the barriers that they consistently face. Presenter: Dr. Erhime Badejo. Sponsored by Med Prep & Women’s Resource Center.

MARCH 25

EBONY BALL

7 pm » Garden Grove Event Center, Carbondale IL

Sponsored by Black Affairs Council.

MARCH 26

8TH ANNUAL MOCK “QUINCEAÑERA”

2 pm - 6 pm » Student Center Ballrooms

Sponsored by Latino Cultural Association.

MARCH 27

CLOTHING AND FOOD DRIVE

3:30 - 5 pm » Student Services Bldg. 150/160

Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center & Med Prep.

MARCH 28 - 31

Reclaimi ng ouridentit y Embracingour di ferences

“DONDE ESTÁ MI HOGAR?”

Noon - 4 pm » University Museum, Faner Hall

Thesis Exhibit by Martha Osornio Ruiz. Sponsored by Undocumented Student Support Office.

MARCH 31

Chance to win a $50 gift card

Details will be listed on Women’s Resource Center website.

MARCH 9

BLACK AND QUEER ROUNDTABLE

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CONTEST

4:30 - 6 pm » Student Services Bldg. 150/160

Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center.

MARCH 11 - 19

Tellingourstoiesourway

SPRING BREAK

MARCH 20

KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE

6 pm » Faner Hall 1326

The most shocking political upsets in recent American History. Sponsored by Hispanic /Latino Resource Center and Hispanic Student Council (HSC).

MARCH 21

LUNCH AND LEARN

WOMEN AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

11:30 am - 1 pm » Student Center Old Main Room

Presenter: Ashley Fowell. Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center.

MARCH 23

ANNUAL BLACK WOMEN’S BRUNCH

11:30 am - 1:30 pm » Student Center Old Main Room

Sponsored by Black Affairs Council.

3RD ANNUAL WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARD

4:30 - 6:00 pm » Student Services Bldg. 150/160

Students are welcome to nominate a faculty, staff and student woman for their impact and presence at SIU. Nominations are due March 20, at 11:59 pm. Submit nominations here: https://forms.gle/8fAtW7YCAJin5w1s5

Sponsored by Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity and Hispanic /Latino Resource Center.

TRANSGENDER RESOURCES FAIR

3 - 7 pm » Rainbow Cafe

In conjunction with International Trans Day. The fair ends with the TDOV rally along the Carbondale Strip.

ASK A BLACK WOMAN

6 pm » Student Center Auditorium

A discussion about the success and struggles that Black Women overcame. Sponsored by Africana Theater Lab, Black Women’s Club, Black Women Taskforce, & Women’s Resource Center.

CLOSING RECEPTION AND PERFORMANCE

7 pm » University Museum, Faner Hall

Thesis Exhibit by Martha Osornio Ruiz. Sponsored by Undocumented Student Support Office.

Plan B: What you should know

Emergency contraceptives are a hot-button topic in the postRoe v. Wade world. One of the most commonly talked about emergency contraceptives is Plan B, also known as the morningafter pill.

There are many who are not informed about what Plan B is and how it works. Spreading awareness and information about these contraception options allows those who are sexually active to be equipped with the information they need to protect themselves and others.

What is Plan B?

Plan B is a common brand name for the levonorgestrel pill. For familiarity’s sake, levonorgestrel will be referred to as Plan B for the majority of this article. Plan B is considered an emergency contraceptive pill to be used by those who have engaged in unprotected sex.

It is not meant to be used as a regular form of contraceptive. Condoms are always the best form of protection during sex because not only do they protect against pregnancy, but condoms also protect against STIs, which Plan B does not.

Who is it for? When should you take it?

Plan B is for people who have had unprotected sex within a 72hour time frame. Plan B should be taken by the partner at risk for getting pregnant. Plan B can be purchased over the counter and is easily accessible to the general public and may reduce your likelihood of becoming pregnant by

75-89%.

Plan B is generally less effective for those who weigh over 165 lbs. Emergency contraceptives like Ella (made with ulipristal acetate) can be taken five days after unprotected sex and have an 85% chance of effectiveness if taken within this time frame. Ella

is considered to be the better form of after-morning contraception. However, it is less effective for those who have a BMI over 35. To get Ella, you need to get a prescription from your doctor, either at your doctor’s office or at Planned Parenthood.

Does Plan B cause abortions?

No. The point of Plan B is to delay or stop ovulation before the egg can be fertilized. If there is no fertilization or implantation into the uterus, then there can be no abortions. It’s the reason Plan B is categorized as an emergency

any side effects, they are likely to manifest as lightheadedness, nausea, upset stomach or tender breasts. Sometimes the person taking the pill may throw up. If you throw up within the first two hours of taking Plan B, you will have to take it again. Sometimes the person taking Plan B may have some differences in their next period.

When is it too much?

There really isn’t a “too much” when it comes to taking emergency contraceptives but it isn’t recommended. Emergency contraception pills were not designed to be used in the same fashion as regular contraceptives and are not nearly as effective as regular birth control methods. However, if you follow the directions on the box, you should be safe. It will not lose effectiveness, and it will not harm future fertility.

What is the shelf-life of Plan B?

tend to look for, but there are levonorgestrel generic brands that work the same and are much cheaper than Plan B. You can purchase Plan B at pretty much any pharmacy, including the SIU Health Center.

Is access to Plan B under threat?

There are lawmakers and government officials who are trying to restrict or ban the usage of Plan B. It boils down to these individuals having a fundamental commitment to misunderstanding how Plan B works and what it does. Some groups are trying to

push the idea that Plan B does cause abortions, which, as we have previously discussed, it does not. It is important to be aware of the current conversation around emergency contraceptives and birth control. These are the things that are helping to prevent abortion and keep people safe.

Editor’s note: For more information about Plan B, visit FDA,gov

be reached at @dmartinez_powell.photography

contraceptive and not an abortion pill. Plan B won’t work for someone who is already pregnant.

What are the possible side effects?

Plan B is quite safe and often doesn’t lead the user to experience many side effects. If you do have

The expiration date should be clearly stated on the side of the box, but the shelf life is around 4 years. Taking an expired Plan B pill will be nowhere near as effective as taking one that is not. If you are someone who stockpiles this kind of medicine, please be sure to keep track of the expiration date.

Where to buy it?

As mentioned before, Plan B is pretty accessible to the general population, and there are no age or gender restrictions in the U.S. when it comes to buying it. The Plan B brand is what people

News Sports photographer Dominique Martinez-Powell can

Dominique martinez-Powell @Dmartinez Powell PhotograPhy

Plan B for sale at a CVS in Portland, Oregon. March 12, 2020. Photo by Sarah Mirk

“Plan B is categorized as an emergency contraceptive and not an abortion pill.”

- Dominique Martinez-Powell News Photo Editor

Former women’s center: new name, same mission

Situated on the west side of South Thompson Street in Carbondale, Illinois sits the Survivor Empowerment Center, formerly known as ‘The Women’s Center.’ The unassuming brick building, now sporting a new name, maintains the same level of care and commitment to those in need of help.

“We have always accepted men. […] There was a misconception of it just being for women and children. But with the name change, […] now it’s more encompassing and inclusive,” said Sarah Settles, Transitional Housing Case Manager for the Domestic Violence Program.

Less than two blocks from the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, some of the staff fear students aren’t aware of establishment and the services they provide.

“It’s kind of scary because SIU is like, right across the street and they don’t even know we exist,” Settles said.

Staff and volunteers work round-the-clock providing free and confidential rape crisis services, as well as domestic violence services, and a shelter, for anyone in need. Assisting individuals on what may be one of the worst days of their lives is the top priority of the center.

Providing services to the seven southern counties, the Survivor Empowerment Center has satellite offices in Harrisburg and Benton, in addition to the main office and shelter located in Carbondale. In the spirit of helping those in need, the center also has a large referral book at their front desk filled with contact information for various organizations statewide, in the event they receive a call from an individual living outside their service area.

The crisis hotline is usually the first step, according to Settles, and will be answered 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. There is a screening process initiated when an individual makes a call to the hotline. The main purpose of the screening process is to find the best way to help the caller in the most efficient manner possible.

“We get calls from other states, even. They want to leave that state because of a particular situation, and are seeking information,” said Settles.

Other screening questions involve finding out if the caller is in a domestic violence situation, or if they’re homeless, in addition to finding out if the caller has ever stayed at the shelter previously. This is important because there are times when individuals have cause trouble, or been violent, while in the shelter. As a rule, the staff will not allow those individuals back in in an effort to keep residents and staff as safe as possible.

Oftentimes, when needing to escape a bad situation, individuals are held back by the things that they own and not knowing how to get them out of the home, according to Settles. With this in mind, the shelter provides many necessities such as clothing, food and other basic items. For individuals with children, the shelter always tries to get the family into a room of their own, as opposed to those without children possibly having a roommate.

The center provides access to child, adult and legal advocates, child and adult counselors, and prevention educators for their domestic violence and rape crisis departments. Legal advocates assist individuals in filling out paperwork for different situations like no-contact orders, nostalking orders and orders of protection. The legal

advocates, however, cannot give legal advice, so the center works very closely with local law firms who take on pro-bono cases to assist beyond their capabilities.

For those leaving a domestic violence situation, case managers are available to each individual to provide services and assistance in getting people back on their feet.

“A lot of times, people don’t even realize that when you’re in a domestic violence situation, you’re so controlled. You lose all your power. You don’t know how to go out and look for a job, especially if they kept you at home,” Settles said.

Finding a job, finding housing, enrolling children into the school system are some of the services the case managers provide. They will help create a resume and cover letter as well as going through a mock interview process to help individuals prepare. The center also arranges for a representative from a local bank to come and speak with shelter residents and help them understand their credit, how to clear up bad credit, the difference between checking and savings, credit cards and other financial aspects.

“For a rape crisis situation, when we get a call, it’s usually a S.A.N.E. nurse from a hospital or something along those lines,” Settles said.

A sexual assault nurse examiner, or S.A.N.E. nurse, “is a Registered Nurse who has received special training so that s/he can provide comprehensive care to sexual assault victims. In addition, s/he is able to conduct a forensic exam and may provide expert testimony if a case goes to trial,” according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) website.

When the center receives a rape crisis call, the screening questions are slightly different than those for help with domestic violence. Individuals will be asked if they’d like someone to go to their location and act as a representative for them.

“Sometimes […] [sexual assault survivors] feel violated by the hospital, or by the individuals there,” Settles indicated.

It often helps survivors to have a representative present who can validate their emotions and help them understand and process those emotions. The center always has someone on-call for rape crisis situations, and these individuals take with them what the center refers to as a ‘go out bag’. These bags contain different items, depending on the situation, to help the survivor feel safe and more at ease.

“They’s bring, you know, if it’s a child …,” Settles sighed, “…horrible. Stuffed animals, a clean outfit for them to put on. Something that makes them feel, you know, comforted… chocolates or whatever they need. Same with adults. We have tons of nice soft jogging outfits, so they’ll feel a little bit of comfort for the moment.” she concluded.

The Survivor Empowerment Center offers services that are one-hundred percent free and confidential. Their main goal is to help anyone in need and never turn anyone away. Counselors and advocates are always available to anyone who needs their services, whatever their individual situation may looks like.

“It affects all walks of life. People have an assumption that it’s just poor people. A lady came here in a Mercedes in a floor length mink coat and said ‘I don’t have a penny to my name, but I had to get out of there,” Settles recalled.

Women for change: Ginger Rye-Sanders hopes of uniting Carbondale community

Carolyn DiCkte CDiCkte@Dailyegyptian

Ginger Rye-Sanders is in her dimly lit living room, sitting at a chestnut brown Victorian-style desk in the corner with pictures of her children, 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren hanging on the walls. She sees her town as family as well.

“Carbondale is a place that is geographically divided, but it is a place where there’s a lot of love, there’s a lot of hospitality, people are concerned about each other,” said Rye-Sanders, Carbondale city councilwoman and founder/president of the Women for Change organization.

“Our motto is that we’re better together,” she said.

Women for Change offers many different programs for both women and men to learn life skills and ways they can help others in the community. Some of the programs include a garden program, a sewing program and even a lawnmower

grandchildren and great grandchildren, most of them male, she keeps an eye out for them and makes sure they have a community to lean on.

“I just thank them (family) for their support and I know they get tired because I work them all the time, but that’s good for them because they have learned to give back,” Sanders said. “I think you should always give that back because no one is an island. We all need each other.”

During the pandemic, the Carbondale City Council provided several grants for businesses to help with the big hits they took, but after Sanders looked into it, she realized that the assets were not being distributed fairly among Black people and White people in Carbondale.

“We have a Black Chamber of Commerce, and it is my endeavor on the city council that we take our commitment seriously. We said that we would exercise and practice diversity and inclusion and equity and we need to take our commitments really seriously as far as the city is concerned, because we do not do as much as we could, you know,

Sanders ran for the city council in 2019 because, during the pandemic, she had a lot of time to reflect on herself and realized she had more fight left and needed to do something about it, with equity, diversity, inclusion and minority rights as her strong

“Well, I think I speak up enough, I just know that those are concerns and we must do better. We really must do better, because I really feel that equity and diversity inclusion starts

with not just us coming together and meeting but it starts with our money,” Sanders said.

She said the community is so nurturing, especially for Black people who need the extra love and advice, which is why Sanders feels so strongly about defending the community and making it the best it can be.

“So I just learned to protect them and I was the advocate for them and I would make sure that their rights were being protected and that nobody violated their rights,” she said.

Carbondale has issues with crime and violence, but the root of Carbondale is a nurturing place to grow up, the community is welcoming and, without politics, Carbondale would be much more peaceful, Sanders said.

Being a Black woman who is an advocate for women’s rights on the city council is one of the largest challenges Sanders has faced, she said.

“Well, when I first got on the council, I was told that I didn’t know how to play the game and I always did wonder what the game was. And I guess some people are uncomfortable with me because I do speak up and I speak out and I ask questions, and I wonder why this is done,” Sanders said.

In Carbondale, almost half of the population is made up of minorities, yet there are still companies that either discriminate or just don’t do anything about diversity in the workplace, Sanders said.

“There’s 88% employment in the city of Carbondale and 42% of our community is people of color, and it’s not a reflection in our city hall. It’s a problem when I see that our police officers are 88%. And, that diversity, that demographic that we have, it’s not reflected in our police department. It’s not reflected in our education system,” Sanders said.

Even at the Eurma Hayes Center, where they have events for Black children, there are no Black teachers to give the kids hope that they can have a job when they grow up, Sanders said.

Sanders hopes that she, the rest of the city council, the Carbondale community and Women for Change can continue to speak out and change things.

“And I know you can’t change things instantly, but I believe if you’re consistent and persistent about change, things will happen,” she said.

Staff Reporter Carolyn Dickte can be reached at cdickte@dailyegyptian.com

President of the Women for Change organization, Ginger Ryesanders, sings a song during the introduction of the Women for Change rally Sept. 18, 2021 in Carbondale, Ill. Sophie Whitten | @swhittenphotography

Column: And sew it is

I had to wear.

Anna Beth learned how to sew and embroider from our grandmother around the same age that she taught me. When I need to remember something about embroidery or I am finding needle placement, I see my sister Anna in it. There are many things that I do in my everyday life that I see my sister in. Every time I move my face around or roll my eyes a little silly, I have a small chuckle in my head and say to myself, “That felt like Anna”.

come home to the laundry that seems like it never ends, or the vacuuming that for some reason I cannot get myself to do. Instead of the overwhelming work that could be done, I get into my little routine.

I wish there was a word to describe the sound a person makes when pricking their finger with a needle. The initial noise would most likely be described as a gasp, a noise of shock from seeing what you have just done, but the follow up noise is almost always the same. There is a wince of pain as your finger pulses, but under the wince a sense of anger, and shame sits. Something as minuscule as a pricked finger on a perfectly placed pin, or a sewing needle is never a big deal, but it doesn’t go unnoticed or unheard.

This noise is forever ingrained in my memory, and it replays in my head often if it’s not already happening in the room around me. “Gasp! Tisk!” with a certain finger shake directly after, it never changes. Some will pull their finger directly to their mouth, allowing their saliva to stop the bleeding. What a strange notion. Not only is it strange, I don’t know if it would really be anyone’s honest reaction every time. It doesn’t matter the skill of the artist, there is always the same noise. The wound could draw blood, or barely scrape the skin, like a broken record “Gasp!

Tisk!” as if it was rehearsed, never ceasing to fail.

If I sit quietly, close my eyes and envision this reaction, I hear the voices and see the faces of different women. I get overwhelmed by the memories of all the different people I have seen do this. I can feel my legs crossed on the scratched oak wood floors of my grandmother’s house as a little boy, watching her multitask, pushing a needle in and out of whatever. I can see her finger slip and the needle prick. In that motion and reaction, I can see a parade of women in my mind who all do the same thing in that moment.

When I was around seven years old, my elder sister by 12 years, Anna Beth, taught me to sew. We never did any “practical” work, usually we were embroidering tea towels or small projects of the sort. I remember how big the hoop felt in my hands, and how slippery the needle was. It is hard for me to see some things clearly, but I know that the feeling of joy and love was apparent. Sewing didn’t feel like a chore then obviously, and I was just a little boy who was excited for an escape away from the sports I had to play, and the cargo shorts

We recently had a wonderful phone conversation about needlework in many aspects and its ties to womanhood and femininity. Although I am not a woman, I was surrounded by women constantly and still am. As a femme presenting person, I find deep connections among women. My sister and I spoke about sewing as an art form, and it’s no good classification as a craft. Stereotypically, these art forms such as weaving or embroidery are done by women, and get looked down upon by many art snobs who are too numb in the skull to see the beauty of it.

Gabbing away through the speakers of our phones, with my nephew Arthur snoozing away in the backseat, Anna and I spoke for a good amount of time. While she drove her way through Nashville traffic, and I sat at home in my chair, I had one question that was important for me to get out; “What is sewing for you?” There was a slight pause as my sister spun the rolodex within her head.

Before I could give a prompt, she said “I would say that I am always seeking catharsis.”

I scrambled for a pen to write that down. I was brainstorming what that feeling was for so long, and here my sister just said it.

Before then, I was using “grounding” as my term for it, which I think still holds true. There are days where I come home, riddled with anxiety and frustration. I sigh in anger as I

Sitting down in the deep wingback chair that once belonged to my great grandfather, I get all settled in with my footstool and I do what I have watched many do before. I flick the light to my lamp on, pull my wicker sewing basket close, and thread the eye of my needle. I am filled with this feeling of serotonin rushing through my veins. It could be dead silent in the room, or completely filled with the laughter of the television, catharsis will ensue.

Within society, there are set masculine and feminine stereotypes. Pink is for girls, blue is for boys, just as sewing is for girls and woodworking is for boys. There is no way in the world that you don’t know what I am talking about, as these things are unavoidable in life. Many of these gendered expectations have faded to the sides a bit now, but they set the world up for what is today.

Due to these expectations, most women knew they had to sew at the bare minimum, but

many also made it into some sort of art or hobby. Quilting for example uses colors, shapes and stitching to evoke feeling. Sometimes they are symbolic, and sometimes even tell a story. Quilting can be done on small scales, or big. They can be done symmetrical, or asymmetrical. Some might think there are rules to quilting and embroidery, but to them I would say you are dead wrong.

Of course, there are some things about these mediums that have to be done, like you must knot the back before pulling a stitch, but why must my stitching be straight, or even? Does it really have to look pretty? What if there is pretty in the messing up, or perhaps what feels like a total mess up.

Sometimes the mess ups within themselves tell stories. The sloppy stitches might tell the story of a busy mother nodding off before sleep, or a loose button being the sign that someone’s strength isn’t the same it used to be. Sometimes it’s that one drop of blood from the prick of a pin, like so many other women before.

Culture columnist Aaron Elliott can be reached at aelliott@dailyegyptian.com

aaron elliott aelliott@Dailyegyptian Com

Peyton Cook @_peytoncook_

DAWGS 4 vs COUGARS 3

Emma Austin (21) crosses first base just before the first baseman of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville makes the catch Feb. 26, 2023 at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphotography

Elliott Stinson (29) winds up for the pitch when the Salukis take on the Cougars of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at home Feb. 26, 2023 at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphotography

Anna Carder (19) sends the pitch towards the shortstop of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville when the Salukis took on the Cougars at home game Feb. 26, 2023 Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphotography

Rylie Hamilton (1) catches a ground ball from third in the last game of the Coach B Classic home opener tournament against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Feb. 26, 2023 at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphotography

Saluki softball gather around home plate to congratulate Rylie Hamilton (1) on her solo home run which scored the first points for the Salukis at the Coach B Classic home opener tournament Feb. 26, 2023 at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphotography

Erin Lee (24) waits for the next play as Emma Neuman (3) of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is sent to first on a walk Feb. 26, 2023 at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphotography

Lane Frost | lfrost@dailyegyptian.com

Column: A character is more than just a catsuit

Breanna GallaGher BGallaGher@dailyeGyptian com

Often when we think of a hero, it is supposed to represent something for us to look up to and admire. Many women growing up watching these heroes felt more disrespected and objectified than empowered. The reason was the way most women are portrayed in many of these comic book adaptation movies is half naked and without any armor, unlike many of their male counterparts.

Some notable moments being the way Black Widow’s character is represented in “The Avengers” compared to the male characters. Or with many of the X-Men movies, having uniforms fitting the women much tighter, much lower, and without the extra protective padding.

Although there is opportunity for the filmmaker to make certain changes, such as wardrobe, it is not fully their fault. In 1989, there was a change in the comic code which no longer banned suggestive posing of women or exaggerated female characteristics. After this code, we began to see hypersexualized female characters.

The guys that were creating these comics were not looking at real women. They were drawing their own fantasies of what women should look like. Except not many women ever looked like that, creating an unrealistic standard and dehumanizing these women by creating a caricature out of them.

However, heroes were not the only ones that this affected. Villains are a big part of this issue as well. They might even cause some larger self-image issues among young women, especially when sexuality and having confidence in your body equals being the bad guy.

Take for example Poison Ivy. Not only

very little about her personal appearance and a lot about science.

Poison Ivy is not the only character in Gotham that this portrayal is seen in. Selina Kyle, or Catwoman also has a similar background. Of course, that depends on which storyline you follow. In “Batman Returns” 1992, when Michelle

By sexualizing her and destroying everything about her life before that moment, it takes away her relatability; it’s almost as if no woman can have both.

However, with other portrayals of the character such as in “Catwoman” 2004 with Halle Berry, and Catwoman in “The Batman” 2022, played by Zoë Kravitz, she is seen as being driven by doing what is right, while still having some aspects of a personality outside of the suit.

Zoë Kravitz even stated: “I didn’t want to get trapped into trying to make something iconic or sexy. I really wanted it to be a story about a woman who survived a hell of a life and is trying to figure out what to do next.”

There were, of course, still a few drawbacks, such as in the most recent portrayal of Selina Kyle, showing her as a sex worker. However, it did not come from nowhere; it drew a connection to a version of the comics and helped show some of the dark sides to the work as well.

is her costume hypersexual, but her list of powers includes toxic touch, pheromone control, poison lips, and skill in the art of seduction. Not only that, but before

Pamela Isley’s transformation into Poison Ivy in “Batman & Robin” 1997, she was portrayed as an ugly woman who cared

Pfeiffer claimed the role, her character was seen as a helpless secretary with little to no confidence. She fit the stereotypical spinster cat lady only to be shown destroying her apartment, representative of her life, and changing into a sexy confident antihero.

Not only that, but her character had probably the least problematic costume out of them all, spanning clear back to the 1960s, while still being easily recognizable, hopefully leaving room for more of a humanistic approach to these female characters in the future.

“The guys that were creating these comics were not looking at real women. They were drawing their own fantasies of what women should look like.”

- Breanna Gallagher Staff Reporter

Women in sports: a historical perspective

Over the past few decades, women have put in countless hours of work in the field of sports to try and gain the approval and acceptance of not only their male colleagues and viewers, but society as a whole.

In the early 1800s, women were warned not to participate in sports due to their menstruation cycles because it could make them “weak and frail.” It was often said by many that women should leave sports and things of that nature to men and maintain their roles at home.

There have been many stereotypes and labels placed on women in the field of sports, but since the early 1800s, trailblazing women have paved the way for the future of women in sports.

In 1896, the first intercollegiate women’s basketball game was played between the University of California and Stanford. Men were banned from watching, and three years later both of these universities banned women’s basketball from their intercollegiate competition.

It was years later before real progress was made to bring women on a more even playing field.

The 1970s were a big decade for the equality of women. Under the presidency of Richard Nixon, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was signed and passed into law. Title IX states, “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program of activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

While Title IX didn’t give women the full equality that they deserved within their sports, it did open many doors for women.

In 1974, the Women’s Sports Foundation was established by Billie Jean King, a pioneer for women in

sports, who won the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match against Bobby Riggs. This group was founded to support the participation of women in sports and to advance the lives of women and girls through sports and physical activities.

Ten years later, in 1984, women were allowed to participate in the Olympic marathon for the first time in history. The 26.2 mile race was always considered “too much” for women by their male counterparts. In ‘84 an American woman, Joan Benoit won the gold medal in the women’s marathon.

In 1991, the first women’s World Cup was arranged by FIFA and took place in China. The event was widely ignored by the world, but the U.S. won, beating Norway 2-1. Also in ‘91, there were changes made to the Olympic sports that women were allowed to participate in, and all new sports that were added to the Olympics had to have women’s events.

This was a huge step forward for women in sports, and it helped to increase women’s participation from 21.2% to 40.3% according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Following the 1991 Olympic improvements, USA basketball created a yearlong training program for the women’s Olympic team to help them prepare for the 1995 Atlanta Games. This step toward equality for women in sports showed that people were starting to realize that men’s sports had these accommodations for years and it was time for women to have the same.

1996 was the summer of women in the Olympics. U.S. women’s teams won gold in basketball, soccer, softball, gymnastics and several other individual events. Following the ‘96 Olympics, many professional basketball leagues were formed for women. The ABL and WNBA were began as the premiere women’s basketball leagues. While the ABL only lasted two seasons, its players were moved to the WNBA.

In 1999, the women’s soccer World Cup was held in the United States, selling out NFL stadiums and eventually becoming the most successful women’s sporting event in history with 18 million viewers watching the final match.

Following this tremendous success for not only women’s soccer, but women in sports overall, in 2000 the WUSA was formed, influenced by the U.S. women’s national team. The team only lasted three seasons and was forced to fold due to financial reasons.

According to the Louisville library, a few reasons behind the financial instability of the program were an inadequate business plan, lack of trust in leadership and lack of support for women’s sports.

Since the beginning, this has been the major issue as to why there is no equality for women in sports: lack of support for women’s sports.

Women continued to soar in trying to create equality for themselves with events like the 2012 Olympics where, for the first time, every country that was competing had female athletes and the 2015 women’s soccer World Cup broke records in ratings and viewers. Despite this, there continues to be an issue, not only when it comes to support for women’s sports, but opportunities.

From a more local standpoint, Southern Illinois’ women’s basketball head coach, Kelly Bond-White has seen her sport from every perspective having played since she was a little girl, to playing at the collegiate level and now coaching at that same level.

Starting her basketball career at the YMCA, then moving up to the middle school/high school level where she got her first collegiate offer in seventh grade, then moving into her collegiate career, which eventually led her into coaching, Bond said that there were never really boundaries in her way. She just felt as though she was labeled differently for her actions compared to how some of

her male counterparts may have been labeled for the same actions.

“When women are really animated on the sideline, energetic, or fighting for their players to rise and push them through, sometimes we get landed with negative connotations. Whereas when our male peers do the same thing, they say more positive things like passionate,” White said.

She said, “it’s just something I note that when you look at the top teams in the men’s games and how brash they are, how their style of play is, it’s never taken as a negative.”

Starting her college career, White chose to play at the University of Illinois because she wanted to be a part of the history of Illinois basketball and show that you could stay in your home state and still represent something that is meaningful.

In the beginning of her time at Illinois, the team was at the bottom of the rankings in the BIG 10. Bond said a key piece to the rebuild of their program at the time was head coach Theresa Grentz.

“We ended up coming back and winning the BIG 10 championship that year and when I look back on that, it was because another woman came in and empowered all of us. She didn’t just come in and tell us what to do, she asked us how we wanted to do and then held us accountable for that, and I’ve never forgotten that lesson,” White said.

White said the lessons that Grentz taught her, she has carried with her throughout her career. She said, even the days the team was dying in workouts, or whatever it was they were working on, Grentz would remind them, “this is what you asked for and I’m asking you to, not blind faith, but I’m going to take you where you need to go.”

White followed with, “That has stuck with me through each program I’ve been with, and every program has gone into a climax at some point, in

terms of building it. That’s what I’m trying to do with this program we have here. The blueprint was handed to me and we’ve just been using that ever since to try and do what we call build champions.”

College basketball brought her so many more opportunities than Grentz thought it would when she played and led her to the coaching position she is at today.

From serving as the Associate Head Coach of the Texas A&M women’s basketball team for the 2007-2008 season, to spending 19 years with the team helping lead them to the 2011 NCAA National Championship, three Elite Eight appearances, five conference championships and many more accomplishments, White has taken the opportunities given to her through sports to create a life for herself and her family.

“Continuing to pave the way to give back so other women know that there are so many avenues in sports that you can pursue. I want more young women in coaching, refereeing, administration,” White said.

Paving the way is exactly what she has done in the short time she has been at Southern. Bond-White is making sure the team makes a good name for themselves, not only on the court but in the community as well.

“I can probably count on one hand the women athletic directors that we have at the Division One level,” White said in relation to the changes that still need to be made for women in sports.

While there have been so many improvements for women in sports, there is still a line between what they have in comparison to their male counterparts.

“There is a continuous light at the end of the tunnel for women in sports and we can keep pushing it further and further,” White said.

Sports reporter Joei Younker can be reached at jyounker@dailyegyptian.com.

Joei younker Jyounker@dailyeGyptian com

Day Starr-Fleming | @daydreamingddrawings

Despite low numbers, attendance on the upswing for women’s basketball

Ryan GRieseR RGRieseR@dailyeGyptian com

“I mean, we’re Southern Illinois… what else is it about? It’s all about sports in this region,” said Dylan Chambers, president of the infamous SIU Dawg Pound.

This is true of many colleges and regions around the country and even for many people around the world. There’s a seemingly endless amount of sporting events to go to, but people still want more.

Men’s sports often draw massive attendance numbers; many of the highest attended soccer, football and basketball games worldwide are men’s events. Women’s sports, however, often lag behind.

Low attendance isn’t specific to SIU; while SIU ranks ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference in women’s basketball attendance, there are five other schools that also average under 1,000 fans per game. Drake, who draws the most audience for women’s basketball, averages 2,779.

This is also a trend nationwide; according to World Sports Network, a hub for sports betting, the average attendance nationwide for women’s basketball is 1,625, while men’s

basketball is 4,659. It’s worth noting that 2019, the year these statistics were drawn from, was the highest women’s attendance had ever been.

No men’s team averages under 1,000 spectators per game; Valparaiso is the lowest, with 1,609, while Murray State and Southern Illinois are numbers one and two, as both average over 5,000 fans.

According to Tom Weber, the senior associate athletic director and associate athletic director for communications at SIU, the average attendance for a women’s basketball game is 699, while the average mens attendance for a men’s basketball game is 5,029.

Despite this deficit, many people close to women’s basketball are encouraged by the attendance that they do have.

“It’s been one of our best years ever, actually,” Weber said.

Even if there aren’t many, the fans that are in the arena still create an electric atmosphere for the team.

When asked if this atmosphere helps the players, Kelly Bond-White, the head coach of the women’s basketball team, said, “Big time… when we’re playing an exciting brand, and knocking balls out of the way, I

think it gives our kids juice.”

Promotions are a common part of sporting events. Games are often themed, providing the student section and other fans a fun way to show their spirit at games. Other promotions promise free exclusive merchandise, a prize or provide an attendance boost.

Bond-White is very appreciative of the team that runs the promotions.

“Our marketing departments work their butts off,” she said.

Sometimes these promotions are highly successful; other times they aren’t.

At the first home men’s basketball game, there was a free tuition giveaway on the condition that 1,000 students attended the game. Including the general public, about 5,200 fans attended the game, and the giveaway happened.

The same giveaway was supposed to happen at a women’s basketball game in early February; nobody got free tuition, as there were only 515 people at the game, including the general public.

“That doesn’t mean that promotions are going to change. We’re not going to give up on doing the same things… we promote the same way, same kind of thing,”

Chambers said.

However, there were a few successful ones this year for women’s basketball. Weber highlights the December 7th matchup against Tennessee State as one in particular that brought a large crowd.

“We invited all the area elementary schools to come out to the game. It was kind of like a field trip for them to come,” Weber said. “We had over 4000 people at the game.”

The elementary game also marked the second highest attended women’s basketball game in school history.

Despite all the turnover with the team this year, including a new head coach and over 70% of their scoring left the team this season, there’s still a strong sense of support from the Dawg Pound.

“We’re caring about our team. And you know, we want to see them succeed and we want to watch them grow too… I think something that was really important was making sure that we’re still showing the love,” Chambers said.

Still, there is a general sense of optimism surrounding attendance at women’s games and a plan to build attendance.

“It’s one of those ‘bring a friend’ kind of things… things like that, to kind of help make it more aware,” Chambers said.

“In the women’s game, it has to be a grassroot effort. But as coaches, and as players, we have to get into the community,” Bond-White said. “I truly believe that fans fall in love with the student first, with the person first.”

It’s worth pointing out that you can only fall in love with the team if you show up to a game, and Bond-White has a simple message for students who could attend games:

“Nolan Richardson referred to it as 40 minutes of hell, well I’m trying to make it 40 minutes of heaven because I think it’s pretty awesome what we’re doing. We’re trying to get up in passing lanes and make it exciting,” Bond-White said.

Another thing she hopes will get students excited is cheap beer.

“The one thing I do love about our games is that we have a courtside beer garden, so hey, students come on out, and I’ll see if we can get 25 cent drafts,” Bond-White said.

Sports reporter Ryan Grieser can be reached at rgrieser@dailyegyptian.com

SALUKIS 79 - SYCAMORE 64

The players high five after the game in the Women’s Basketball game on Feb. 23, 2023 at the SIU Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. Arjun Tsapalasetty | atsapalasetty@dailyegyptian.com

The Saluki athletes line up and sing the National Anthem together in the women’s basketball game on Feb. 23, 2023 at the SIU Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. Arjun Tsapalasetty | atsapalasetty@dailyegyptian.com

A Saluki cheerleader performs during time-out in the women’s basketball game on Feb. 23, 2023 at the SIU Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. Arjun Tsapalasetty | atsapalasetty@dailyegyptian.com

Ashley Jones defends the ball from the opposition in the women’s basketball game on Feb. 23, 2023 at the SIU Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. Arjun Tsapalasetty | atsapalasetty@dailyegyptian.com

Promise Taylor shoots around at pregame when the Salukis took on the Indians State Sycamores at home Feb. 23, at the SIU Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.Arjun Tsapalasetty | atasapalasetty@dailyegyptian.com

Winning women in Saluki sports

Howard Woodard hwoodard@dailyegyptian com

The Saluki women’s athletic program has had its fair share of success in its history. From its softball team appearing in four Women’s College World Series during the 1970s to its basketball team making a Sweet Sixteen in 1987 and not losing a conference game for the previous two seasons up until that point. There have been impactful teams, players and coaches throughout that have contributed to a winning culture and family feel.

The Daily Egyptian talked to three different women, Kerri Blaylock, Cindy Stein and Makenzie Silvey, who have stamped their mark on sports at SIU.

We’ll first travel to the softball diamond where Blaylock resided. She was the head softball coach at SIU for 23 years and is still working part time in the Saluki athletic department after recently retiring. During her tenure in Carbondale, Blaylock racked up the most wins all-time for a coach not just in SIU softball, but in Saluki Athletics overall. But before she became a great coach, she was a supreme pitcher.

“My dad introduced me to fastpitch softball and I fell in love,” Blaylock said.

Her passion for the sport coincided with her talent during her playing career in high school and the University of Evansville. Blaylock posted an elite 1.54 ERA with a 77-48 pitching record and essentially holding all of the pitching records at her alma mater.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting before earning her master’s in business administration. As a graduate assistant, Blaylock became an assistant coach and was later inducted into Evansville’s Hall of Fame in 1995 for her success as an athlete. Little did she know, that wouldn’t be the half of her imprint on softball and sports, eventually becoming the winningest Saluki coach ever.

The record for coaching wins across all sports was previously held by Itchy Jones, longtime SIU head baseball coach who the university’s baseball stadium is now named after. Blaylock’s father and Jones attended high school together before he later introduced his daughter to softball.

“Jones is from my hometown… we know each other as family,” Blaylock said.

Her feelings surrounding the record were reflective of her appreciation and gratitude for the university.

“It shows the longevity and loyalty I have to this school. I love Southern Illinois University and I loved coaching for SIU,” Blaylock said.

She was unable to accomplish this feat alone, attributing the program’s success and support to the help of her assistant coaches, administrators and Kay Brechtelsbauer, who she took the reigns from in 2000.

“She was a veteran coach…for 32 years…she taught me the ins and outs of everything,” Blaylock said.

One assistant coach in particular, Jen Sewell,the current softball coach, worked with Blaylock for 14 years.

“Jen was hugely important to me because she was kind of my righthand person,” Blaylock said.

Other assistant coaches such as Kenzi Tate and Kenzie Wagner also supplied influence that empowered female softball athletes to bring out the best of their abilities and create a winning environment.

This environment was not formed by athletic qualities alone, as Blaylock and her staff worked to instill more into the players that they could carry with them throughout life.

coach Cindy Stein.

Stein turned multiple basketball programs around, making an immediate impact like she did when she took over as head coach at Southern Illinois. Stein is our next woman in Saluki sports history as we look at her influence on the basketball court.

A journeywoman in her time as an assistant and head coach, taking her talents as far as Miami University to The University of Missouri, Stein had her sights on becoming a coach since she was a pre-teen.

“I always knew I wanted to coach…when I was in fifth grade, just something I always wanted to do…I was just a hoop head,” Stein said.

Basketball was Stein’s favorite sport growing up, watching Big Ten basketball as a child, even when women’s games weren’t broadcast. She grew to learn the game well and even to teach it to those in her neighborhood.

“We had a 6 ‘4 kid come to our neighborhood, I had to teach her

community and gaining lifelong friends in Emporia, Kansas to go to several NCAA tournaments and facing top competition at Mizzou, Stein acknowledged the significance of her previous homes before SIU.

“[Emporia] is a special place because there’s so many things that go into winning…our community support…it was a total community embracing what we were trying to do,” Stein said.

The business side of basketball, such as recruiting, assistant coaches and building a cohesive team, proved to be imperative when Stein coached at Mizzou. She was correct in this formula as her teams exemplified the strategies coached by Stein and her staffs, with Stein receiving several Coach of the Year awards along the way of her various coaching stints.

“I could care less…that’s not why I coach. I see more reward on watching a kid trying to perfect a hook shot or an up and under move…when you see that light bulb come on,” Stein said. “All

Silvey’s dad who led her to her favorite sport.

“I was definitely the best at (basketball) and to have my dad coach me…he pushed me to be as good as I could be,” Silvey said.

She would grow into an exceptional athlete, playing AAU basketball during high school and being recruited by Stein and Southern Illinois. Silvey spoke on her recruiting process.

“It was awesome, I would do it all over again if I could…Coach Stein really made me feel like I was their priority, they were my first offer,” Stein said. “But I wanted to go somewhere where I could make an impact…and be in a good program with good people.”

Averaging 15.5 points over seasons, it was destined for Silvey to break the all-time scoring record, but it was made easier with support from former players, one of which being Cartaesha Macklin, who held the record Silvey broke. Macklin graduated several years before Silvey even joined SIU but was still around to help the team.

“She was always so supportive… she had told me years ago that I could break her record like probably my sophomore year,” Silvey said.

Another important person for her path was Kylie Giebelhausen, who was a senior during Silvey’s first year.

“She was a great teammate, she was the only senior, but she was a great leader…she was just someone that I could always go to…on or off the court,” Silvey said.

“Hard work, responsibility, and accountability…unselfishness…I hope these are the qualities that I have that I hope they have,” Blaylock said. “I had such great kids that came here that played for me that are now productive people in society.”

Blaylock is still actively helping where she can at Southern Illinois University in her post-coaching ventures. First, staying on as a volunteer assistant for the team to aid Sewell in her new head coaching position, before moving to help with scholarship and financial aid in the athletic department. Her responsibility in these roles were similar to when she was still at the helm of the softball program.

“I still to this day will call up… and have coffee or go with the kids and try to mentor them in any way possible,” Blaylock said. “Any kind of help that they need… I always just want to be there, never to get in the way…but to just be a help in any way I can.”

“I miss Kerri Blaylock,” said former SIU women’s basketball

how to do a layup,” Stein laughed. “She ended up being All Big-10.”

Before coaching, Stein played basketball at Illinois Central College then transferred to the University of Illinois.

“I learned that you can’t do it by yourself…be physically and mentally prepared all the time. Teamwork was really important,” Stein said. “You had to be very disciplined…whether it’s disciplined in staying in shape or… making sure your academics are on set.”

Stein loved to pass the ball, not just because she had great scorers surrounding her on the court, but also because of her will to win. It showed in her numbers as Stein accumulated the sixth most assists with 323 and the highest career average for assists per game at 5.6 as a Fighting Illini.

As she knew since elementary school, Stein made her transition to coaching, eventually working her way to head coaching at Emporia State and the University of Missouri. By connecting with her

those awards are all established because you have really good people around you.”

Tangible evidence of Stein building a community during her time at SIU was by giving back with her players. Game-worn jerseys were auctioned off to raise over $4,000 for cancer treatment, and Stein began an annual “Donate Life” event, where the women’s basketball game was used to spread awareness for organ donation.

“We had to establish great students first then get out in the community…those are really just meaningful things and you’re trying to teach how important it is…” Stein said. “You gotta be able to pay it back.”

A great student and player that was established under Stein’s coaching is our third and final profile: Makenzie Silvey. She played five years at SIU, becoming a starter as a freshman and excelling, eventually becoming the all-time leading scorer for SIU and ending her career with 2,002 career points.

Similar to Blaylock, it was

Silvey is currently working on becoming a certified public accountant after earning her masters this past December. She pointed out some attributes of her time as a player that helped her in her career aspirations.

“You have to work hard… nothing’s just going to be handed to you,” Silvey said.

She has some advice and encouragement similar to what she received as a younger player.

“Even if you’re not playing as much as you’d like or scoring as much…your role is still important,” Silvey said. “Just take it all in…and the memories are awesome.”

The awards, records and achievements attained by these three women are a glimpse of the iceberg in terms of what has been achieved by Saluki women in sports. With the family-like nature that has been formed to support all those who pass through the athletic program, there is no doubt these accolades will continue to grow.

Sports reporter Howard Woodard can be reached at hwoodard@ dailyegyptian.com.

“You have to work hard…nothing’s just going to be handed to you,”

- Mackenzie Silvey Womens Basketball Scoring Record Holder

Gus says:

You expect me to fight villians in this get-up

Sophie Whitten

Sophie Whitten swhitten@dailyegyptian.com