Campus NOW chapter to hold first meeting tonight

A chapter of the National Organization of Women has been formed on campus and will hold its first meeting tonight. The meeting will feature Philadelphia NOW President Janet Mason and NOW Pennsylvania President-elect Barbara DeTullio. Mary Jane Lee, president of the new campus chapter, said she founded the chapter because there is a "need for a political feminist organization on campus." "There is a lack of activism at Penn and especially feminism," said College sophomore Nirva Kudyan, one of the co-founders. Wharton sophomore Jessica Lee, chapter treasurer and co-founder, said she hopes to work on a broad range of issues including women's safety and "abusive relationships." She also said the group will be concerned with campus issues. Kudyan said NOW will become a "forum where women can bring up issues that are on their minds." NOW will be "inclusive" and a place to discuss "anything and everything about women's issues," she added. Mary Jane Lee said that she would like to start projects such as "Take back the Night" and provide support for local rallies. She explained that NOW's platform consists of four main points: to pass an equal rights amendment, fight for reproductive rights, support the lesbian, gay and bisexual community and help ease racial tension. The group plans to work with several other campus organizations including Penn Pro-Choice, the Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Alliance, the Women's Center and the Women's Alliance, she said. Jessica Lee said she feels it is important to be working with a national organization. She said that she hopes to utilize the resources of a national organization for campus issues. "NOW has name recognition," she said. Mary Jane Lee said that the Pennsylvania chapter of NOW has been very supportive to help the group succeed. Demie Kurz, co-director of Women's Studies program, said the formation of NOW chapter is "a good idea. The more contemporary issues to women [being discussed on campus], the better. "There is lots to be done and I'm really glad to hear about [the formation of the local chapter of NOW]," she said. The chapter will hold its first meeting tonight at 8 p.m. in room B-2 of Vance Hall.