Palmetto Women’s Union embraces the new “F” word

In room 1001, the Palmetto Women’s Union dedicates monthly meetings to gender empowerment  discussions at the guidance of founder, junior Claire Zuo and sponsor, biology teacher Ms. Ann Nelson. Though the group centers topics around feminism and society’s treatment of women, boys take advantage of the opportunity to make appearances as women’s advocates.

“I think Palmetto Women’s Union has definitely made an impact, even on those who criticize the concept of the group, by sparking conversations on feminism and its necessity,” Zuo said.

There have not yet been any hostile attendees, yet the union still manages to stir controversy among students. At the commencement of the school year the Palmetto Women’s Union participated in the #WhoNeedsFeminism social media project in which members posted photographs of themselves bearing their own value of feminism on signs; some reading “I need feminism because no woman should be denied an education due to her anatomy” and “I need feminism because I don’t want my daughter to be afraid to go to college like I am.”

Despite the countless encouraging comments from the members’ friends and family, many took to social media to call the movement unnecessary and named the group the “Kitchen Club”. Soon after, backlash by men began with begging the question: “Why isn’t there a men’s union?”

“I don’t think there are any other women’s groups,” Ms. Nelson said. “Other clubs are specifically for women’s equality- and no other club is like that.”

Efforts to expand the potential club will start at the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year with a guest speaker–whose identity remains a surprise–and promotions of the Union’s meetings to demonstrate it’s openness to new members.

With tens of members and a newly elected leadership, the union undoubtedly heads for success. Over the summer the activities director, Ms. Elizabeth Valero, will finalize whether the Palmetto Women’s Union will officially become a club. The current influx of clubs show difficulty in new membership but the union already holds monthly meetings and partakes in community aid at a local women’s shelter, making it seemingly fit to become an official club.