March 1, 2017
#BeBoldForChange Emma Gomes, Staff Writer
For over a century, women worldwide have confronted gender inequality by demanding social and economic equality, and equal opportunity. Being robbed of these fundamental rights have placed women at a disadvantage in both their personal and professional lives. In 1909, a group of factory workers in New York City marched out of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory (TSF) in protest of horrible working conditions and safety hazards in their workplace. These factory workers were predominantly young female immigrants whose efforts went unnoticed until 1911, when a
deadly industrial fire erupted at TSF, resulting in 146 deaths. Mothers, daughters, and sisters lost their lives due to neglected safety features in the factory that could have been easily improved. Without even knowing it, these women started a revolution that would be noted in history as International Women’s Day on March 8, 1914. Since then, countries across the world have advocated and supported this movement in an effort to create a safer world where women can exercise their rights without fear of violence and discrimination. The gender gap, a term that describes the difference
in rates of pay between men and women, is a focal point of women’s rights. Although the gender gap has narrowed, it is estimated that the gap itself will not close until 2064 in the state of North Carolina. According to NC statistics, women are paid 85 cents for every dollar that men make. This gap may take a few decades to narrow, but the fight for gender equality has strengthened over the years. In celebration of International Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, the International Women’s Day campaign asks us to #BeBoldForChange. We can
take action in our everyday lives by celebrating women’s achievements, challenging bias conversations, speaking out against violence, and supporting local businesses in Raleigh started by women. As Meredith Angels, we are continuing to prove the idea that women are a force to be reckoned with. We must continue this legacy by using that power to Be Bold For Change. Visit internationalwomensday. com for more details. Sources: washingtonpost.com, history.com, and un.org.
Ethics Bowl was perfect for that because it required a lot of hard work and late-night practices, especially in the couple weeks leading up to the bowl, but I really feel like we all grew together as a team and gained these unique skills that allowed us to get so far in the competition. I think it is relevant that the finalists were two women’s colleges (us and Salem College). After one of the rounds, I remember one of the judges saying that he was impressed by our confidence as women. We had been warned leading up to the bowl that we have an inherent disadvantage as women because male students on the other teams would naturally have more confidence; as women, we are just socialized to be less sure of ourselves. So we kept that in mind while preparing for the bowl,
and I’m sure Salem had the same thing in mind. I think it resulted in us being a lot more aware of our voice level and body language, making sure we were professional and exuded confidence. It was really a team effort - we had an amazing team and we all really bonded. No one was ever slacking off, either; we all worked together and always lifted each other up whenever we could. I think ultimately that is why we did so well - we just all love each other so much, and that positive and supportive attitude kept us energized.” Her teammate Anna Mangum added: “The thing I enjoyed the most about ethics bowl in general were the friendships I made within the Meredith team. The five of us were pulled together and instantly thrown into an atmosphere where
small talk didn’t have a placewe jumped straight to the big questions. There weren’t many, “How was your class?”s but there were plenty, “I just had an existential crisis, listen to how I think the universe is organized”s. The women on the team are unique and irreplaceable minds and I’m beyond grateful I had the chance to get to know them. It was certainly exciting to have the finals round be between two women’s colleges. So often, you hear about how women will be talked over in the workplace or in situations where men are involved, but here were two teams with women so strong in their convictions and giving their all to get their points across. They would not be ignored. To see the product of women’s empowerment [that] women’s colleges provide come to life, it was moving.”
Ethics Bowl
Emily Chilton, Editor in Chief
On Feb. 17 and 18, the five members of the Meredith College Ethics Bowl Team came in second place at the sixth annual NCICU Ethics Bowl. Interestingly, women’s colleges took first and second place, with Salem College coming out on top. Rachel Crawford, Caroline Garrett, Anna Mangum, Hannah Mangum, and Fareena Qamar comprised the Ethics Bowl Team this year, and the competition’s theme was “Ethics in Law.” Cheryl Jenkins, director of SLS, and Dr. Steven Benko, professor of Religious and Ethical Studies, are the faculty coordinators for the team. Team member Rachel Crawford had this to say about the competition: “In general, I love competitive activities, especially ones that allow me to work hard at something and gain a new skill.
Elaine Marshall Receives Woman of Achievement Award Cristy villalobos, Staff Writer
This year’s Meredith College Woman of Achievement award is granted to the North Carolina Secretary of State, Elaine Marshall. Recipients of the Woman of Achievement award are recognized as inspirational figures to the Meredith College community. Previous recipients of this award include former N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarah Parker, journalist Judy Woodruff, and Tony Award-winning choreographer Twyla Tharp. Elaine Marshall’s hard work in public service has reflected historical strides for women. Elaine Marshall was the first woman to be elected to statewide executive office in North Carolina in 1996. She has served as the Secretary of State for over 20 years. As our Secretary of State, she has focused on cyber threats to business data, and business
identity fraud and hacking. Before taking office, Marshall received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from the University of Maryland, and a law degree from Campbell University. She has received honorary doctorate degrees from Campbell University, Lees-McRae College, Meredith College and the Republic of Moldova Testemitanu State University of Medicine. Initially, her career in public service included teaching home economics in public schools and community college systems. However, after becoming a lawyer, she worked in private practice. She was as an advocate for clients who were victims of domestic violence. Marshall served in the North Carolina Senate for one year, before becoming Secretary of State in 1996. She is responsible for managing and promoting the
economic and business-related operations of state government. The State Department is tasked with overseeing corporations, charitable solicitations, notaries, securities and lobbying. Outside of her career, Secretary Marshall enjoys ACC football and basketball, cooking, and gardening.
Photo Credit: Meredith College
News Sanctuary Campus?
Nabiha Khan, Staff Writer Since Trump’s presidency began, we have been hearing a lot more about “ICE raids,” but many of us have yet to understand what that really is. ICE stands for the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and these government officials often visit neighborhoods as well as colleges and universities to perform illegal warrantless searches to find specific undocumented immigrants and deport them. Many claim that although ICE says that they come at random they actually target communities with known amounts of immigrants. Other
than this being a type of racial profiling many immigrants are unaware of their rights, and are easily taken into custody. Those that have family members taken say that the government officials abuse them once taken into custody. When Obama was president he created DACA (Delayed Action for Childhood Arrivals) through an executive order, which allowed young undocumented immigrants known as Dreamers a way to work and go to school but not a path to citizenship which is ideally what the immigrants wanted. Now that ICE raids
are becoming more frequent at colleges, colleges should protect their students and make sure they feel safe and supported on campus. A sophomore at Meredith says, “I don’t think Meredith is handling the situation the way I would hope they would. It is not that I am necessarily asking for a sanctuary campus because I understand why the school cannot simply make that decision because there are many steps that must be taken. I think the problem is that I do not feel supported. The school has not stepped up and said they have our back; instead, we
keep receiving generic emails about the counseling center. Professors and staff have been supportive but Meredith as a school has not.” Many students have brought up the idea of turning Meredith into a sanctuary campus. A sanctuary campus essentially adopts policies that will protect undocumented students. Now is the time for colleges to to show their support and take a stand on this issue in order to better protect their students and provide them with a sense of community and safety.
Black History Month 2017 - Student Perspectives Sarah Kiser, Associate Editor The Black History Time line was located in the lobby of the Carlyle Campbell Library for this entire month. Created by past Meredith students, the timeline shows Black History at Meredith until 2006. Students are currently working to update the timeline up to 2016. Jasmine Williams is the president of Meredith’s Black Student Union, and this Black History Month she was eager to see all of their hard come to fruition. “So much planning and thought went into all of our events that it was very rewarding to see them happen and fall into place,” said Williams. She was pleased that “all of them had a great turnout with diverse backgrounds of students in attendance.” The Black History timeline, Williams said, “was one of her favorite” events of this year’s celebration of Black His-
tory month. BSU designed it and it featured letters, as well as pictures and clippings from the College’s archives. “It is actually quite amazing to see how things have changed over the years for Blacks on this campus” said Williams. BSU held many events to celebrate Black History Month themed around “Still Like Air, We Rise: Uplift and Unify the Black Community.” Events included “Cheerwine and design,” a showing of the film “The 13th,” a Black Excellence Dinner, and a 4-part “Black History and Spirituality Series” of messages given in Wednesday’s Chapel. For Williams one of the elements of BHM is “educat[ing] the Meredith community about Black culture, history, and current struggles.” Bruklyn Miller, a senior at Meredith, is a member of BSU but she was not available
to attend BSU’s events. She wanted to go to “Cheerwine and design”as well as “Treat Yo Self Night” which focused on mental health in the Black community and was cosponsored by National Alliance for Mental Illness. Miller said “everything was well attended except for the talent show” which was postponed because there were not enough performers. The #YouNameIt talent show will be held at a later date. BSU encourages students to sign up to showcase any talent whatsoever. Meredith Sophomore Jenyane Robinson takes a nationwide perspective. She expressed disappointment “that people forgot it [was] Black History Month.” She said “I feel that with everything going on in the world today, people forgot it was Black History Month. Because of this, I decided to do my Black Girl Magic bulletin board. Febru-
ary is seen as a month of love, American heart month, people are focused on our current leader, and there are a plethora of other things going on. In all honesty, there should not be a need for Black History Month because Black people should be celebrated everyday just like other races. However, this is the America we live in…” Just like the Black History timeline, time moves on and change will continue to happened generations after us. Thinking beyond just this February, Williams hopes “for BSU in the future …that it still has a presence on campus, for as long as Meredith is present. BSU creates a safe space for Black students but also strives to share Black culture and promote awareness across campus.”
Safe, Not Sorry Emma Gomes, Staff Writer We all have fears, some come and go, while others follow us through our entire lifetime. It is a worldwide truth that women are subject to higher rates of sexual violence in both public and private spaces. In these cases, our fears can help protect us. Imagine walking to your car after a late shift, and feeling as though someone is watching you. We’ve all been there. That wave of unease usually kicks in, and your mind begins to plot out every possible escape strategy in case someone really is watching you. Although pepper spray,
personal alarms, and tasers were created to protect us in these situations, we still hear spine-chilling stories of helpless women being attacked in everyday situations. Sure pepper spray is useful, but there’s one valuable skill all women can gain that won’t involve digging to the bottom of your purse. Meredith’s Sports Science Association (SSA) paired up with Anna Huff, Junior at Meredith College, to organize a self-defense workshop in hopes of spreading awareness and helping Angels feel safer on and off campus. “It’s important for women our age to gain this type
of knowledge because it will improve their confidence and it is something they can carry into the real world,” says Huff. Melissa Palmer, class of ‘99, instructed the first selfdefense workshop on February 6th, 2017. A total of 12 students attended, reporting that it was a success. Anna Huff shares that the girls who attended said “this workshop was a fun way to conquer a fear in the back of their heads.” The Sports Science Association (SSA) and Student Government Association (SGA) are currently working to collect data on whether students would
attend another self-defense workshop in the future. If there is a workshop down the line, both organizations hope to publicize and promote it for a greater turnout. As young college women, we are targets of violence, and it is important that we are equipped to protect ourselves in any situation. These self-defense workshops are making safety a priority within our campus. If you’re interested in attending, contact the head directors of SGA and SSA.
Arts & Entertainment The SNL Administration Carolina Brust, Staff Writer
During the 2016 U.S Election, Saturday Night Live had a blast creating parodies of the campaign debates, with Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump and Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton. On Twitter, the President complained that “Baldwin’s impersonation cannot get any worse (Dec 4, 2016).” Baldwin later replied that he’d stop once Trump released his tax returns. These parodies have now continued past the election and into Trump’s presidency. SNL started off 2017 with a
parody of the President’s first press conference, poking fun at the lack of A-lister performers at his inauguration and the recent rumours regarding his involvement with Russian escorts. Melissa McCarthy has now joined the growing list of impersonators, as White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. On February 4th, the actress portrayed the excessive gum chewing and podium wielding Secretary alongside Kate McKinnon, who made an appearance as Secretary of Education Betsy Devos. Sean
Spicer called the impersonation “cute and funny” on Twitter, but later called it too exaggerated. Kate McKinnon has also gained some feedback on her impersonation of Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s former campaign manager and current White House counselor. In response to SNL’s “Day Off” skit, which features McKinnon on her day off from being campaign manager, Conway tweeted “We [her family and herself] got a good laugh in our crazy house (October 9, 2016).” However,
Conway does wish that McKinnon portrayed her as a happier individual. After McCarthy made her debut as Spicer, Twitter went crazy asking more celebrities to play other political figures. Rosie O’Donnell volunteered to play Chief Strategist Steve Bannon on Twitter. In a recent skit, Leslie Jones joked to her eventual portrayal of Trump. The next four years, though dark and unforeseeable, will be sure to please and excite.
Meredith Students Visit International Civil Rights Center and Museum Laura Culpepper On Feb. 11, the Honors
and Teaching Fellows programs visited The International Civil Rights Center and Museum (ICRCM) in Greensboro, NC. Founded in 1993, the museum is housed in the historic 1929 F.W. Woolworth building where the AT&T/Greensboro Four, a group of young African-American college students—Ezell Blair, Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond—began their protest on Feb. 1, 1960 by sitting at what was then a “whites only” lunch counter. While not the first lunch counter sit-in held in the U.S., the Greensboro sit-in was wellcovered by the media and inspired
many other sit-ins and protests around the state and the country, leading to the desegregation of the Greensboro Woolworth’s lunch counter and “the smashing of the despicable segregation system in the Southern United States,” (ICRCM mission statement). The original Woolworth’s lunch counter and stools have never been moved from their original spot. In fact, the museum was built around them. Sophomore Emily Berrier is one of multiple students taking the Honor colloquium class. “We Shall Overcome” about the Civil Rights movement, and were able to connect their experiences at the museum to their class. “Visiting
this museum while [taking] the class made the experience even more meaningful because we had talked about the Woolworth sit-ins [in class], and on this field trip were able to visit the location where [they] actually occurred,” said Berrier. The ICRCM offered a new perspective to the historical events that many may have studied or learned about over the years, which was true for sophomore Kirby Jones:“It’s easy to look at events from the movement as abstractions, but seeing the photos, videos, and artifacts reminded me that they impacted very real people with hopes,
Circus’s Last Run
Sydney Spadaro, Contributing Writer In the hearts of millions lies a reminiscent memory from the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey circus. After 146 years, ‘the Greatest Show on Earth’ decided to take its last bow in May of 2017. The fluorescent lights, striking costumes, energetic performers, and anticipated animals fill theaters across the country one last time in the hopes of leaving generations impacted. The theme chosen for their goodbye, ‘Out of this World,’ includes a circus space fleet searching for “stars” in the galaxy while combating an evil ringmaster that is attempting to take over the Ringling Bros. The story is presented on-ice and includes several special effects to complete the space mission premise. From modernized clowns and flying trapeze artists, to intergalactic aerialists and a big cat trainer, it is a contemporary spin on the classic circus seen for over a century. The
children have especially been in awe at the fast-paced routines and wildly illuminating colors. Meredith College senior Elizabeth Boyd exclaimed: “It brought back so many memories, which is why I wanted to go one last time. It was just as spectacular as I remember it being when I was little. I’m sad I won’t be able to take my children!” Boyd then added, “I’m graduating this year, so in a way, this is the real end to my childhood in more way than one.” As the Ringling Bros come to a close, the extravagant memories impressed upon audiences linger on. The feelings evoked from the whimsicality that the circus provides will be missed dearly. It is an experience that makes the impossible possible through death-defying acts and effortless landings. Even for adults, the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey provides the ultimate passage into childhood for one last time.
“Shakespeare’s Strong Women” Faculty Distinguished Lecture Tuesday 14 March 2017 7:00 p.m. - Jones Auditorium Garry Walton, Ph.D., Professor of English and Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities Featuring performances by current Meredith students and alumnae
Rebecca Daw Blum ’95 (photo by Ron Yorgason for Bare Theatre)
dreams, and fears of their very own,” said Jones. Freshman Mimi Mays called the visit “an incredibly immersive experience,” and praised the “clarity” and “depth” of the information and the experience that the ICRCM provided. The tour also left senior Imani Williams “in awe.” It was an emotional, intriguing, and enlightening; and I felt pain at times and pride at other[s]. [It] offered us a great overview of the civil rights movement and the actions everyday people took to push America to live up to her own ideals,” said Williams.
Editorials Strong in Different Ways - GPAs and Student Leaders Emily Chilton, Editor-in-Chief
On Feb. 12, Meredith StudentGovernment Association (SGA) sent out a survey concerning student GPA and leadership, asking for input from the college. The email accompanying this survey said that SGA is planning to “revis[e] the GPA requirements for Meredith College student leaders.” All survey questions directly related to GPA included options to raise, keep, or lower the GPA requirement. On Feb. 28, the results of the survey came out, the results indicated that most students were in favor of raising GPA requirements or instituting them across the board. I personally voted all the way through to leave the requirements the same. Here’s why. While there are people
in the world who have high GPAs and are good leaders, the two achievements aren’t mutually inclusive. However, it’s understandable that students fall into the trap of thinking that they are. American society, especially surrounding college, pushes students to be good at everything, often with reasoning that gears a student’s entire life toward building a resume and getting a job. “The best resumes have high GPAs and leadership experience.” “You have to have a great resume.” “Millennials are entering a terrible job market.” “Everyone has a bachelor’s degree nowadays.” These are the arguments that we hear all the time. With this culture surrounding us, it’s not surprising that we have come to think that
being a good college student includes excelling academically and experientially. The problem with that line of reasoning is the basic fact that people are good at different things; people have different talents and gifts that apply in various situations. To put it simply, good students are not necessarily good leaders, and vice versa. There is an immediate logical fallacy in believing that the qualities that contribute to academic excellence will also contribute to leadership excellence. It’s perfectly possible that a Meredith woman could be a solid-C student and a charismatic leader. It’s also possible that she could be a solid-A student and be far too shy to lead a large group. Nuances and combinations of
these two areas are all possible; none of them should exclude someone from being involved. If the GPA requirement for student leaders is raised, the college would still continue to operate as normal. Organizations would keep going forward year after year with events and service projects. The system would not break down. But one of those organizations, whether it be the Meredith Herald, the Communication Club, or the Anime Angels, may lose out on someone with great ideas and relatable leadership because of a GPA just shy of the minimum. This isn’t the worst consequence, but Meredith is better than it.
• Alternative Tracks
much you value experiences over items, and make wise financial decisions so you get the most bang out of your buck.
Don’t Spring Break the Bank Teressa Berton, Staff Writer
As spring break rolls around yet again, many students are choosing to treat themselves by spending the week touring the big city or relaxing on the beach. But for those of us who will be beach ballin’ on a budget, finding ways to make spring break affordable can be a challenging. Luckily there are many ways to make the most of our time off without spring breaking the bank. Here are a few ideas:
• Plan Ahead We here at Meredith know the value of a good plan. Whether it be a four year plan or a plan for a day, knowing what you are planning to do when you get somewhere is the best way to make the most of your time and money. Move
from WebAdvisor to TripAdvisor and start planning your vacation. Not only can you learn what the best things to see and do are, but you can also learn where student discounts are offered and find hotspots that are budget friendly or, better yet, free.
• All ‘Four’ One and One For All If you are planning a trip, there is strength in numbers — but no more than the number four. Not only will everyone stay safe, but there will be someone to share a meal with. Four is the perfect number for sharing and splitting the cost of a hotel room. Four people also fit nicely into most cars if you choose to split up the cost of gas and take a good old-fashioned road trip.
After determining where you will be staying, you have to figure out how you will be getting to your location. While flying is the quickest way from Point A to Point B, it’s rarely the most inexpensive. If you are heading to a major city, consider taking a train. While it may not be much faster than a road trip, you can save money by using your student status when purchasing tickets from Amtrak.
• Treat Yo Self (Responsibly) Once you get to your chosen location, be sure to spend your money in a way that makes you happy. Don’t waste your time or money on things that aren’t worth much to you. Be aware of how
While cash flow may seem like the key factor in your trip, having a good time with your friends and getting some well-deserved rest and relaxation is the reason you are going somewhere in the first place. Even if your funds are low, you can still have an amazing trip. The most important thing to remember is to enjoy your friends and the fun to the fullest — even if your bank account isn’t.
Uncontested Runs
Yessy Anorve-Basoria, Staff Writer As you walk onto the first with empty positions because
floor of Cate, you will notice that very few Meredith College women ran for Student Government Association (SGA) or class positions for the 2017-18 academic year. The lack of participation for these positions is not a reflection of the strong leaders that Meredith College possess. Meredith women continue to be active and strong participants in this community, but many have decided to focus their attention towards smaller organizations that relate to their hobbies, majors, and/or passions. As Meredith students, we should not leave our classes unsupported
sisterhood is about being there for one another.
Meredith Activities Board needs: President
We are all meant to be leaders, so if you have a passion for serving as a leader at Meredith, think about applying for the following open positions. Keep an eye out for an application and interview process from the organization or class.
Class of 2018 needs: Big/Lil’ Sis Co-Chairs, Class Day Co-Chairs, Class Doll Co-Chairs, Class Event Co-Planners, Class Gift Tri-Chairs, Crook Hunt Co-Chairs, Elections Board Representative, Fundraising Tri-Chairs, Senator, Senior Picnic Co-Chairs, Senior Parent Night Co-Chairs, Service Chair, Spring Formal Co-Chairs, Student Life Representatives, Stunt Co-Chairs, Tunnel Painting Co-Chairs, 18th Night Co-Chairs
SGA Executive Committee needs: Secretary, Treasurer, Residence Housing Association Chair, Senate Chair, Student Activities Fee Committee Chair, and Student Life Committee Chair
Class of 2019 needs: Big/Lil’ Sis Co-Chairs, Crook Hunt Co-Chairs, Elections Board Representatives, Fundraising Co-Chairs, Honor Council Representative, Ring Dinner Co-Chairs, Ring Week CoChairs, Senator, Service Tri-Chair, Spring Formal Co-Chairs, Student Life Representatives Class of 2020 needs: Vice President, Big/Lil’ Sis Co-Chairs, Charming Evening Co-Chairs, Class Day Co-Chairs, Cornhuskin’ Co-Chair, Elections Board Representatives, Fundraising TriChair, Guardian Angel Dance CoChair, Service Chair
STAFF
Emily Chilton, Editor in Chief. Sarah Kiser, Associate Editor. Sarah Smerko, Features Editor. Caroline Garrett, A&E Editor. Morgan Whithaus, Op-Ed Editor. Rachel Crawford, News Editor. Mallory Dean, Layout Designer. Olivia McElvaney, Online Editor. Staff Writers: Katrina Thomas, Yessy Anorve-Basoria, Carolina Brust, Teressa Berton, Seung Pang, Shelby-Anne Sanders, Emma Gomes, Cristy Villalobos.