What makes a leader?

This is a question that has haunted me most of my undergraduate career. When I first began working with the Women’s Student Action Coalition I questioned my ability to lead and I worried that other students would question my competence. Peter Parker’s uncle once said, “With great power comes great responsibility” (excuse my Spiderman reference, it works here. I swear.) I always feared being a terrible leader or using my leadership position in a way that would cause no change. Eventually I learned that leadership styles differ and I am an individual in all that I do, this includes my ability to lead the Women’s Student Action Coaliton. 

I realized that I was competent and able only through opportunities where I was a leader. I was thrust in front of groups of students and expected to convince them that I was a suitable President. I was expected to hold the floor at meetings and to give my opinion. A student once approached me asking my opinion about an issue concerning students at the time, and I remember thinking Oh crap, I don’t know how I feel about this, I’m representing the group! But these experiences taught me that I was able to lead group discussions and that speaking in public wasnt as scary as I’d thought. But more than anything leading gave me confidence, and I began to witness myself transform. I became less concerned with the way people felt about my opinions and was proud of myself and my accomplishments. I believe that this is where true change can occur and we can empower women and girls. Telling women that they are strong, intelligent, and capable does not suffice. We must let them show themselves. Always accept an opportunity to become a leader or support a fellow leader. If that’s in a simple way like leading a class discussion, running for class president or voting progressive women into office. Take it. Realizing that you are able is empowering.

 It is my humble opinion that Trinity is filled with inspirational and intelligent young women.  I see so many of my classmates and I think Wow, Jane is so talented, or Rita, is such a great speaker. What’s sad about Jane and Rita is that usually they doubt their abilities. What’s unfortunate about Jane and Rita is that they don’t want to be leaders because they are afraid. This is not a problem I see in young men. The world is missing out on great female leaders. I am pleasantly frightened at the amount of power we could harness if we acknowledged and used the power within us. That’s what the women of our generation are lacking, the knowledge of their own power and competence. So, the next time you hear a young woman doubt herself, remind her that she has all the tools she needs to be effective within her.

This blog was written by Samantha Hurley, the secretary for the Women’s Student Action Coalition!

The battle between “plus-size” and “skinny” has been going on for years but recently it has found itself at the forefront of media attention. Magazines, designers, and modeling agencies are all trying to revamp their image by adding plus-size models to their repertoire. The show America’s Next Top Model is known for pushing the envelope; the producers, as well as Tyra Banks herself, are avid supporters of all body types, and on season 10 they crowned their first ever plus-size winner. Whitney Thompson became a role model for women everywhere, showing that “beauty” comes in many shapes and sizes. She recently filmed a commercial for her new on-line dating cite, titled TheBigandTheBeautiful.com, hoping to get a slot on Super Bowl Sunday. However, NBC rejected the commercial stating that it “needs to be completely reworked for our air.” Now when I first read this comment I was outraged, thinking that they wouldn’t air it because it featured plus-size women. But upon watching said commercial, my opinion changed drastically.

Now let me back track and just start with the name of the website, TheBigandTheBeautiful.com. I do not think dating sites, or any website for that matter, should be specific to any body type. The title implies that big is beautiful, which I am in no way saying that it’s not, but does this mean that average is now not beautiful, and that skinny is now ugly? My frustration grew when I viewed the commercial that was filmed as if it were a soap opera. The line, “I’m sick of these women that are too skinny and too sexually experienced,” is infuriating. Not only is it targeting a specific type of women but it reflects poorly on the image Whitney worked so hard to build. NBC was completely justified in turning down the commercial and it does not belong on the air. It should not matter if you are plus-size, skinny, athletic, curvy or average. Every women of every body type should be treated with the same amount of respect and this commercial promotes the exact opposite.

Below, you’ll find a link to a blogging site where both another interpretation and the video can be accessed:

http://fashionista.com/2012/01/whitney-thompson-antms-first-ever-plus-size-winner-accuses-nbc-of-plus-size-bias/

Note: This blog, like every student organization blog, is an expression of my own opinion. It does not represent the views or opinions of Trinity Washington University in any way.

Women have unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, and some women choose not to continue with these pregnancies. Such facts have been part of women’s history, and will continue to be part of our future. However, 39 years ago, women in this country didn’t have the safe and legal option of termination that we do today. Instead, desperate women attempted to terminate the pregnancy themselves, or were forced to obtain an illegal “back alley” abortion. Hospitals were not surprised to see a vaginal burn from bleach douches, or a woman bleeding severely from inserting a clothes-hanger into her cervix. Some hospitals literally had wards dedicated to treating injuries and complications from botched abortions. These wards all but disappeared after the supreme court decision in 1973 that legalized abortion.

Regardless of your moral position on abortion, it’s literally impossible to deny that Roe v. Wade has saved countless lives of women. There were abortions before Roe, and taking away the right to have a legal one won’t stop them.

While I have never known an America in which a safe and legal abortion wasn’t accessible to me, it is unmistakably apparent in an election year how much our right to choice is being threatened. This past December, 4 candidates seeking the Republican nomination pledged to add a human life amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Although abortion is legal right now, we saw in the last year how far some leaders are willing to go in order to take reproductive choice away. Some states go out of their way to make it difficult, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright humiliating for a woman to terminate her pregnancy. In Texas, the Sonogram Law signed by Gov. Rick Perry mandates that a woman who seeks an abortion must first view the fetus, and listen to its characteristics described in detail, before having the procedure, to “ensure women are fully informed.” Many states have holding periods, where a woman must wait 24 hours before actually having the procedure, and some states require that a woman makes 2 separate trips to a clinic before the procedure . (As if a woman hasn’t thought for long enough before making the decision to ask for an abortion.) It is so important to be aware of these regulations, and voice your opinions to your representatives. These are your rights–don’t allow them to be taken from you!!

I’m so grateful for all who fought to give me the right to choose for myself. It’s because of them that I have always known I could access a safe and legal abortion if I needed one. Happy Anniversary Roe!

If you’d like information about abortion laws in your state visit: http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_OAL.pdf

Roe v. Wade was a Supreme Court decision in 1973 legalizing abortion in the United States. Every year, American’s gather to exercise their freedoms of speech and petition. This year, WSAC will be joining NOW, Choice USA, NARAL,  and their allies on the steps of the Supreme Court for a vigil commemorating the anniversary.

We will be leaving on the Trinity shuttle at 4:20PM on January 23, 2012. We hope you join us!

Bobby Montoya is your typical seven year old. She spends her time playing with dolls, wearing dresses, and causing a nationwide controversy. In late October, her mother took her to their local Girl Scout troop to start participating. They were denied membership, because even though Bobby lives and “acts” like a young girl, she was born a male. The director told a heartbroken Bobby that since she was born with “boy parts”, she couldn’t join in on the crafting and cookie selling. Just this past week, Bobby’s case was reevaluated by the troop leaders, who have decided that there is no valid reason to deny this little girl her dream of “doing a good turn daily”.

 
In a response to this decision, a California teenager, known only as “Taylor” has made a YouTube video, urging mothers to protect their children from transgendered individuals. How? Simple, she says, ban Girl Scout cookies until the GSUSA (Girl Scouts of the United States if America) stops allowing children like Bobby to participating in their activities. After public outcries of disappointment and anger, the video was taken down by the girl. It turns out that she is the daughter of an anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) group known as Honest Girl Scouts, whose sole purpose is to damage the reputation of this century old organization (as well as Planned Parenthood) simply because they give all females all of their rights. Most of the bigoted video can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TD41W5mIWmY#!

We, as a society, put way too much pressure on the gender roles of children. For example, In Boy Scouts, boys go camping in the woods, they fish, and tie knots, whereas Girl Scouts may have museum sleepovers, do arts and crafts, and (of course) sell their famous cookies. Why should the interests of children be determined by their born sex? Better yet, what gives us the right to allow only certain children to participate in certain activities? We live in day and age where gender isn’t black and white, but rather, a rainbow of possibilities and it’s high time that we accept it.

Hi Trinity women! My name is Keesha Desormeaux and I am one of the programmers of the Women’s Student Action Coalition. I am a sophomore here at Trinity and my major is Political Science with minors in Philosophy and Communication. I decided to join WSAC after taking a Women’s Studies course with Dr. Piland and discovering that I am a feminist. Who would have thought? I realized that being a feminist is simply believing in equality and doing things for the advancement of women. After I came to this realization, it was only right to become involved with Trinity’s very own group of feminists. I look forward to working with all of these wonderful ladies this upcoming semester as we begin to make a change on our campus! I encourage all of my Trinity sisters to come out and support the fight for women’s rights!

Hello fellow Trinity sisters! My name is Alex and I am the Treasurer of the Women’s Student Action Coalition (WSAC). I am a Junior here at Trinity, majoring in English with a minor in Communication. I am a pretty fun and outgoing person just trying to find my place in the world. Trinity has unveiled my hidden passion for feminism and has inspired me to inspire others! I hope of one day becoming a teacher with a focus to educate and encourage more young women to become leaders in society and fight against sex discrimination. I joined WSAC with a purpose to meet and befriend young women with similar interests in women’s rights as well as become active in the change I wish to see in the world. I believe there is a light that shines in each and every one of us and together we can bring out the best in one another. Women must come together and demand to be heard; no longer will we be victims of social and sexual degradation in a society where women make up 51% of the population. I say it’s time we take over the world! (Sorry, I got carried away) However, I encourage everyone to attend a Women’s Student Action Coalition event and or drop in at one of our meetings. The more the merrier; all support and participation is truly appreciated. We can’t win this battle without you!

~I AM WOMAN!~

Hello, my name is Kathryn Clarkin and I am the social media director of the Women’s Student Action Coalition. I am from the GREAT state of New Jersey and I love to go to the beach. I recently just transferred to Trinity University in the spring of 2010, and I am enjoying every minute of being here. I am a junior and my major is business with a minor in economics. Furthermore, the events that I am most excited about for the upcoming semester is the fish bowls that have become one of my favorite events and also attending the young feminist leadership conference. If anyone has any questions feel free to email me at kclarkin@students.trintiydc.edu

Hello everyone! My name is Sam Hurley and I’m from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. I am a freshman and double majoring in International Affairs and Criminal Justice. I am also the Secretary for WSAC and a member of the College Democrats. I was offered the position of Secretary and immediately accepted, knowing that it would be a great opportunity to work with some truly amazing women! I believe in equality and the freedom of choice for everyone and will fight to ensure those rights are not taken away. I am looking forward to taking a more active role in WSAC!