Alison Piepmeier, director of the College of Charleston Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) Program, argues feminism isn’t a scary word. She makes her case by pointing to 175 hosts of the “Yes! I’m a Feminist” event that include big-name Republicans and Democrats, local celebrities, members of the College of Charleston Board of Trustees, and even College President George Benson.
Piepmeier says, “Feminism is a movement to eradicate all forms of oppression that keep people from achieving their full humanity. It’s not just about women—it’s about making the world better for all of us.”
[Related: Read more of Alison’s views on her blog.]
More than 400 people are expected for the second annual “Yes! I’m a Feminist,” which will be held on February 25, 2014 from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. in the atrium and garden of the School of Sciences and Mathematics Building (202 Calhoun St.). The event is free and open to the public and includes food, drinks, and live music.
This year’s event is expected to be twice as big as last year’s with nearly twice as many hosts. Hosts of the event donate $100 and are among an elite group of people who are committed to making feminism accessible to a broad audience.
[Related: Become a host or sponsor of “Yes! I’m a Feminist.”]
“Whether your understanding of feminism is about girl power, women’s suffrage, second-wave rallies, or recruiting more women to run for political office—you’re right, it’s all that and more,” explains Margaret Pilarski, chair of the WGS Community Advisory Board and College of Charleston alumna. “Equality is necessary and empowering for all genders and the hosts of our party are receptive to that. We’re thrilled to have this show of support and be welcomed and celebrated by the community at large.”
The WGS Community Advisory Board founded the event to support the Women’s and Gender Studies Program. The proceeds from last year’s event paid for students to present their research at regional conferences, supported faculty research locally and abroad (with faculty members traveling to such places as Ireland and Ghana to study women’s roles), and aided in WGS community-building efforts.
For more information, contact Alison Piepmeier at piepmeiera@cofc.edu.
