FEMI NEST#1 SEPTEMBER 2015
THE IK*A CHAPTER
FEMI WGEN NEST#1 SEPTEMBER 2015
MSU
women + gender equity network
A Service of the McMaster Students Union
THE IK*A CHAPTER
ABOUTUS • WGEN (the Women & Gender Equity Network) is an intersectional feminist organization that operates with an antioppressive lens. •We work with other existing groups on campus to make sure that we are planning comprehensive and effective campaigns that are both accessible and engaging. •We also hold fun social events to help build community; these range from crafternoons to movie nights. • Something new for us this year is a permanent safe(r) space (The Feminest) in MUSC 204. This is meant to be a place where women, transfolk, and survivors of sexual assault feel supported, validated, and heard.
SEPTEMBER EVENTS VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT Volunteers were hired as: • Safe(r) space volunteers • General/Events volunteers Training took place on September 12-13. Sessions included AOP, SACHA, SafeTalk, and a presentation from HMSC.
OPENING OF THE SPACE Our space is called the ‘feminest’ - A place where people can come and hang out, form a sense of community with likeminded individuals, andseek peer counselling if they need it.
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT Women are often told to be extra careful and take precautions when going out at night. In some parts of the world, even today, women are not allowed out at night. So when women struggle for freedom, we must start at the beginning by fighting for freedom of movement, which we have not had and do not now have. We must recognize that freedom of movement is a precondition for anything else. It comes before freedom of speech in importance because without it freedom of speech cannot in fact exist. — Source, The Night and Danger by Andrea Dworkin
STITCHANDBITCHEVENT “Stitchin and bitchin, a cool collab with OPIRG where students got to learn to cross stitch sassy shit and connect with other women about daily nonsense!”
WELCOMEWEEKEVENTS Consent and cookies panel: Working with Welcome Week planners, WGEN participated in a panel with questions asked by a moderator and the audience. A cool question and answer type panel with break off conversation and a ton of cookies
MEETTHETEAM Hayley - Coordinator (Sociology and Linguistics Level V) Hayley likes hamburgers and feminist discourse!
Lainey - Volunteer Coordinator (Health Sciences Level III) Lainey is passionate about travel, coffee conflict photography, and all things women's health related.
Ruchika - Social and Political Advocacy (Social Sciences Level II) Ruchika is a fan of freshly brewed coffee, petting large to medium sized dogs, and watching Leonardo DiCaprio movies.
Rachel - Social Events and Planning (Life Sciences Level IV) Rachel believes that women and transfolk need (emphasis on need) a place to find accessible and judgement-free support.
Shruti - Resources Coordinator (Arts & Science Level III) Shruti likes burritos, takes her coffee intravenously, and is passionate about theatre, yoga, and mental health advocacy.
Taylor - Social Events and Planning (Life Sciences Level IV) Taylor was first drawn to WGEN by her interests in peer support for survivors of sexual assault.
Dina - Social and Political Advocacy (Arts & Science Level I) Dina joined WGEN to aid in providing a service that supports and listens to women, transfolk, and non-binary individuals in a positive, open, and empathetic way.
Catherine - Promotions (Multimedia Level II) She's been drawing as a hobby for quite some time, and is looking forward to using her skills to help others.
MSU
WGEN women + gender equity network
SPOOPTACULAr
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