Spring Break
USC feminist group seeks
Ellen Tweedy
Issue date: 9/22/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
A new student organization is pushing to eliminate what members say is a negative stereotype of feminists.
The Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance was created at USC in April shortly after the March for Women's Lives in Washington, D.C.
USC chapter president Amanda Peel, a second-year international studies student, has worked with the Feminist Majority Foundation for five years.
"The Feminist Majority Foundation is devoted to equality based issues for all people," Peel said.
She said she was disappointed to find that USC had no such organization, but she noticed a general interest among her peers in starting an organization that focused on feminist issues.
FMLA has already begun to organize events this semester. The group's major project is "Get Out Her Vote," which encourages women on campus to register and vote in the Nov. 2 presidential election.
"Our goals for this year are to empower female voters and to bring about awareness on the USC campus of what it means to be a feminist," Peel said.
"It doesn't carry the negative connotations many people associate with it," she said.
Second-year English student Drew Cutright, the organization's treasurer, said feminism isn't about excluding men but about women organizing and fighting for equality and justice.
"I joined FMLA because it is an organization with a strong base in protecting women's rights and fighting for equality," Cutright said. "Not only that, but the organization emphasizes volunteer work and helping out the global community."
FMLA plans to raise funds to send midwifery kits to third world countries with high childbirth mortality rates. The organization will also be helping out with LUNAFEST, a national film festival featuring films by, about and for women.
The Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance meets Thursdays at 8 p.m. in room 203 of the Russell House. This Thursday, however, the group will meet in room 304 because of a room conflict.
The Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance was created at USC in April shortly after the March for Women's Lives in Washington, D.C.
USC chapter president Amanda Peel, a second-year international studies student, has worked with the Feminist Majority Foundation for five years.
"The Feminist Majority Foundation is devoted to equality based issues for all people," Peel said.
She said she was disappointed to find that USC had no such organization, but she noticed a general interest among her peers in starting an organization that focused on feminist issues.
FMLA has already begun to organize events this semester. The group's major project is "Get Out Her Vote," which encourages women on campus to register and vote in the Nov. 2 presidential election.
"Our goals for this year are to empower female voters and to bring about awareness on the USC campus of what it means to be a feminist," Peel said.
"It doesn't carry the negative connotations many people associate with it," she said.
Second-year English student Drew Cutright, the organization's treasurer, said feminism isn't about excluding men but about women organizing and fighting for equality and justice.
"I joined FMLA because it is an organization with a strong base in protecting women's rights and fighting for equality," Cutright said. "Not only that, but the organization emphasizes volunteer work and helping out the global community."
FMLA plans to raise funds to send midwifery kits to third world countries with high childbirth mortality rates. The organization will also be helping out with LUNAFEST, a national film festival featuring films by, about and for women.
The Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance meets Thursdays at 8 p.m. in room 203 of the Russell House. This Thursday, however, the group will meet in room 304 because of a room conflict.