Women's Alliance gets a boost

A female student looking to air her views on women's issues has any number of options by which to do so today. Twenty years ago, however, the Penn Women's Alliance provided her with the only outlet as the sole women's group on campus. This fall, after a three-year hiatus due to a loss of recognition by the Student Activities Council, the group got a new boost from several students looking to reestablish a forum for the discussion of women's issues. The group meets once a week in Houston Hall to share ideas about a prepared topic. Several weeks ago, for instance, members spoke about the portrayal of women in the media. "We talked about things that made us angry or upset and why that was," explained College senior Lisa Pseifer, who sits on the group's five-member executive board. As part of the discussion, members brought in newspaper ads showing computer enhanced images of women and talked about the unrealistic ideas they convey. The group presently has about 30 members, and while board members handle the organizational duties of the group, they shy away from leadership labels in an effort to create a feeling of equality among members. "We have an executive board but there is no real hierarchy," Pseifer said. Each member is encouraged to offer input concerning the selection of speakers and ideas for upcoming events, she added. "It's a very democratic process," she said. Pseifer stressed that the role of the group is an informative one. "We're a resource for people on this campus if they want information about feminist issues and different political movements going on now," she said. But fellow board member Debra Pickett was quick to point out that the group distances itself from any political affiliation. "The real goal is to provide a forum to address women's issues in general. We don't endorse pro-life or pro-choice," the College sophomore said. "On the whole we are fairly liberal, but our point is not political." In addition to including individuals with different political ties, the group welcomes students of both sexes as well. "Males interested in gender issues are more than welcome," Pickett said.