Working toward a goal of equality on campus, the UCA Feminist Union is an organization dedicated to educating, providing resources and creating safe spaces for all.
Hannah Bender joined the organization her freshman year with an interest in learning more about social justice. Now, in her senior year, she uses her position as president of the FemUnion to give students a safe space to celebrate themselves.
“The Feminist Union is an organization designed to promote equality and diversity on UCA’s campus while acknowledging the systemic marginalization of students based on their gender, sexuality, race or age,” Bender said. “It also serves as a space for those students so that they can be proud of their identities.”
“With the current political climate — and being in a predominantly conservative state – it’s important to make sure those who are societally oppressed have a space they can feel appreciated and valued in,” Bender said.
Through collaboration with other organizations on campus, the FemUnion has done just that. According to Katy Reagan, vice president of the organization, a lot of their events have open attendance to non-members.
Reagan said the FemUnion hosts many types of events, including Take Back the Night, which focuses on sexual assault awareness, and UNITY, a promotion of diversity and inclusivity through music, speakers and art.
The FemUnion sponsors other types of events that aim to further their goals, such as voter registration campaigns, film screenings, poetry and art slams, sexual health awareness events, drag shows and speakers on LGBTQ+ topics.
The organization hopes to host a few familiar events, including the self-love photoshoot and drag show “to highlight the wonderful and talented artists in our community,” Reagan said. “A lot of our events are things we hold every year that we just get to continue to make bigger and better.”
Reagan said the organization’s UNITY event will be held on April 12, 2022. They also plan on partnering with Students for the Arts to host their Trashion Show on April 21, 2022.
The FemUnion works closely with other organizations on campus, including PRISM, Allies in STEM, and NAACP.
“It’s hard to do everything by ourselves and we love a broader student engagement with collaborating,” Bender said.
“It’s very important for students to be exposed to new ways of thinking that aren’t a reflection of traditional, southern attitudes,” Bender said. “Learning about feminism and social justice is imperative to those in college, who will be the next generation of politicians, doctors, therapists and teachers.”
After facing difficulties as a result of the pandemic, the FemUnion hopes to regain itsengagement through increased social media activity and in-person events.
“We’re all ready and willing to put in the work,” Reagan said. “We’re all very dedicated.”
Despite this loss in participation, Bender said it has given her a chance to grow closer to her fellow FemUnion members, especially with FemUnion advisor Taine Duncan, whom she describes as “an absolute gem.”
According to Reagan, the FemUnion was recognized for their work in the community at PRISM’s first annual Diversity and Inclusions Awards Formal.
“We’re working to improve the lives and experiences of all students here at UCA through our goal of equality,” Reagan said. “We are so thankful for the RSOs, faculty and members that make it possible for us to do what we do.”
