In case you haven’t heard, Bradley’s Office of Campus Culture and Climate is opening a Women’s Center on campus. It’s something that’s been in the works for about a year now, and there is a lot of passion and love that went into it. One of my roommates was involved in the process, so I saw firsthand just how much went into the creation of the space. It’s a beautiful room that was transformed from a storage room in the Student Center. I’ll save my opinions on this important space being created from a storage closet for another time and article. Nevertheless, it’s still an important space that’s being opened on campus.Â
As the president of Her Campus, a predominantly-female club, I was invited to a soft, personal opening of the space. I was extremely honored to be invited, and I was blown away by how incredible the space turned out. They are offering an open-door policy during they’re operating hours, and they’re allowing for the room to be booked after they’re closed for women-led groups to have somewhere to meet for events. In the actual space, they have a lot of great things for women to take as needed, such as resources for various places in Peoria, hygiene products that are going to be brought in soon, school supplies if you’re unable to get them for class, and many more.Â
When I was there, the students that are going to be operating the center were talking about how this is going to be Bradley’s first women-centered space on campus, which many other colleges and universities have now. That resonated with me as someone that has always aimed to create safe spaces, no matter where I am, while on campus. As the president of a predominantly woman-based organization, I truly strive to have a space on campus where women feel welcome and safe, especially when it comes to writing personal and intimate things about themselves. I’m over the moon about having a space that I can share with the women of Her Campus to provide them more places to have on campus.Â
The importance of having this space goes beyond just having somewhere cute for women to hang out. It’s a space where women are allowed to relax from an otherwise frustrating and difficult reality that can be lived by many. It’s a space where women are able to talk to one another about experiences that others may not understand. It’s a space where women are allowed to be themselves away from the public eye, where they can connect with those around them, and finally relax. Women often feel more pressure from society to act a certain way and appear a specific way to please those around them, so having a space like this allows women to just breathe.Â
I think it’s incredible that we finally have a space like this. While I can continue to create safe spaces during our meetings, I can’t continue to do that forever. It also is only once a week for about an hour. The need for a safe space goes beyond just an hour a week. I’m looking forward to continue sharing the word about this so it can get the recognition that it deserves to women are able to experience such a great space on campus together.