“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” -Shirley Chisholm
This week, Zeina Farhat and Aimee Bovin, along with a bunch of other women in leadership positions on Xavier’s campus, launched a campaign called “She Can, She Will”. Zeina and Aimee began this campaign as part of a leadership capstone opportunity through Xavier University’s Office of Student Involvement called Pedro Arrupe Leaders.
The goal of their campaign is to bring light to an issue on our campus and in our world.
People like to think sexism isn’t real. People love to think that its 2018, the pay gap is gone, and women and men are treated with equality and justice. Sadly, this is just not true.
Did you know:
Eight out of 28 positions on Xavier University’s presidential cabinet are women.
From 1999 to 2017, 39 men and 9 women ran for student body president.
Since 1999, 6 women have held the role of student body president.
Three out of eight direct reports to the president are women.
And we won’t be happy until it’s 50/50.
As women, we are raised constantly being told who and what to be. This campaign is focused on ensuring that women, specifically women at Xavier can be whoever and whatever they want to be. Their website states:
“We are Xavier women. We made this for other Xavier women. We are aspiring CEOs, doctors, nurses, politicians, lawyers, actresses and more. We have grown up in a society that tells us what we should be and can be. We made this so that women at Xavier are given every opportunity, every piece of support and every bit of resources needed to succeed. So that Xavier women can be who they want to be. “ (www.shewillxu.org)
So, take the pledge. Pledge that you will be an ally, encourage women, and treat them as equals.
Vote for women in leadership positions, both at Xavier, and in your community.
Women, run for that position you have always wanted. Never feel like you are not qualified for a position, especially because you’re not a man.
Go to https://www.shewillxu.org for more information, follow them on Instagram, and like them on Facebook.