Tori Vigil
The Paw Print
This week-long women’s event, a first for Adams State, was a big success with approximately 450 attendees.
The nine events planned for the week-long celebration included a Kindred Spirits Luncheon, a film showing of “Miss Representation,” a Wellness Wednesday Lunch-n-learn, a Faculty Lecture, a Round Table discussion, a Poetry Slam, the Tunnel of Oppression, student presentations, and a film showing of “Girl Rising.”
Dr. Beez Schell, professor in human physical performance at ASU, talked about monumental moments for women in sports at Monday’s Kindred Spirits Luncheon. A very impactful part of her talk was on Title IX, which is best known for breaking down barriers in sports for women and girls. It is also known for opening the door for girls to pursue math and science. However, it is less known for its requirements of fair treatment for pregnant and parenting students, and how it protects students from bullying and sexual violence.
Melody Reynolds spoke for the Wellness Wednesday lunch-n-learn. She talked about the love languages. The languages are words of affirmation, touch, gifts, acts of service, and quality time. She skillfully demonstrated how difficult it is to navigate and communicate in a relationship when the two are speaking different love languages. For example if one person has the love language of gifts, that is how they give love and they feel most loved when others give them gifts as well. If however, the other partner’s love language is quality time and that’s how they give love and feel the most loved the two might end up feeling unloved. Reynolds claims that if two people in a relationship take the time to find out what their love languages are they would better understand each other , as well as how to communicate better and how to express their feelings so the other person feels loved.
Dr. Stephanie Hilwig, sociology professor at ASU, spoke on invisible sexism during her faculty lecture. Some audience members said it was nice to hear about the latest research on the topic. Hilwig felt it was important to not only address the issue many women still face today, but to offer the community real facts to back up her claims. “Most sources of these inequalities are so embedded in our psyche and social world that we simply don’t notice them. They are invisible. They exist in the way we interact with one another, the way we evaluate one another, the way we handle our failures, the way we perceive our successes, and the way we manage our personal lives,” said Hilwig.
“Our performers for the poetry slam were amazing women,” said Tori Vigil, ASU student in charge of planning the Women’s Week. “They were fierce, bold, brave and impactful.” The slam was held in the Mall court of the Student Union Building. Many students passing through the area as they were rushing to class stopped to enjoy the music, food, and powerful poetry. Others took time out of their busy day to enjoy all the performances.
“We are very pleased with the turnout and the show of support for this first ever Women’s Week at ASU. The results really exceeded our expectations and I hope next year will be even better,” said Tori Vigil.
Vigil announced that the theme for next year’s event will be “I Have A Voice,” celebrating the diverse, influential, and powerful voices of women. Anyone wishing to join the committee for next year’s event should email Tori at vigilpv@grizzlies.adams.edu. Planning will begin in the fall semester.
This student led event was also a multi-departmental effort. The English Department ,Academic Affairs, Communications, Counseling, Creative Relations, Student Life, Facilities, Residence Life, Human Performance, Institutional Research, sociology, Student Union Building, and the Teacher Education departments all played a part in the planning and execution of this event.
What’s Been Said…