FEMINEST#1SEPTEMBER 2015 • WGEN (the Women & Gender Equity

Network) is an intersectional feminist organization that operates with an anti- oppressive 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.

ABOUT US

THE IK*A CHAPTER

FEMINEST#1SEPTEMBER 2015 • WGEN (the Women & Gender Equity

Network) is an intersectional feminist organization that operates with an anti- oppressive 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.

ABOUT US

THE IK*A CHAPTER

women + gender equity networkWGENMSU

A Service of the McMaster Students Union

FEMINEST#1SEPTEMBER 2015 • WGEN (the Women & Gender Equity

Network) is an intersectional feminist organization that operates with an anti- oppressive 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.

ABOUT US

THE IK*A CHAPTER

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 SPACEOur 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.

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 SPACEOur 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 free-dom of movement, which we have not had and do not now have. We must recognize that freedom of movement is a precondition for any-thing 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

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 free-dom of movement, which we have not had and do not now have. We must recognize that freedom of movement is a precondition for any-thing 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

WELCOME WEEK EVENTSConsent 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

“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!”

STITCH AND BITCH EVENT

WELCOME WEEK EVENTSConsent 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

“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!”

STITCH AND BITCH EVENT

MEET THE TEAMShruti - 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.

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.

MEET THE TEAMShruti - 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.

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.

SPOOPTACULAr

COMING SPOON...

women + gender equity networkWGENMSU