The Cleveland State New Era Scholars opened a new avenue for women to have their voices heard on campus with their first Women’s Week: “Women United” event in the Student Center ballroom on Tuesday, Oct. 28. 

The New Era Scholars decided to host this event after Ohio Senate Bill 1 went into effect and the state mandated a shutdown of civic rights initiatives focused on encouraging diversity, equity and inclusion at Cleveland State University, including the closing of the Mareyjoyce Green Women’s Center.

“We wanted women to feel community with each other,” said Angellise Gray, vice president of the New Era Scholars. “With the women's center being shut down, women have lost their safe space to talk with one another.”

Women’s Week: “Women United” kicked off with refreshments and sign-in for guests, followed by opening remarks and the “Voices of Empowerment” panel of guest speakers.

The panel featured Austreeia Everson, president of New Era Cleveland, Jennifer Carter, a member of new era Cleveland and Kelli Williams, administrative assistant in CSU’s TRIO-Student Support Services office. 

Gray explained that having a panel of female guest speakers was one of the main goals when planning the event. 

“It’s good for women to have deeper level conversations – especially about trauma,” she said. “A lot of us women have unresolved trauma we need to talk about.” 

For Elizabeth Ballah, a senior journalism and public relations student, the opportunity to listen to  the panel and discuss issues with other women in her community was the reason why she attended the event.

“I love hearing insight to what other women have to say about womanhood and feminism,” Ballah said. “This event is the opportunity to come together and talk about what it means.”

When panel moderator Ruby Darwish, a senior journalism and public relations student, asked “how have you embraced your femininity?” Carter spoke on the importance of being authentic to herself. 

“I’ve always walked the line between masculinity and femininity. I have learned to ask myself ‘what’s feminine for me?’” Carter responded. “I’ve gained more that way than trying to fit into what the stereotype of what femininity should be.”

The second half of the event included opportunities for connection, exploration and movement. 

There were several workshops – such as “Letter to Little Me” and an affirmation wall – that reflected other goals of the event. 

“We wanted there to be opportunities to connect with one another and uplift each other, especially during political times right now,” Gray said.

Attendee Te’Nya Vinson shared that she uplifts women in her life everyday through compliments and affirmations, like the ones written at the event.

“I’m in a sorority and surrounded by women,” Vinson, freshman, said. “I give words of encouragement and compliments to uplift them when I can.”

The “Women United” event also offered attendees opportunities for relaxation  through sound bowl therapy and a guided yoga session. 

“I personally love those things,” Gray said. “It was great to see women participating and being calm and relaxed.” 

With over 50 people in attendance, the New Era Scholars hope to put on an event like this once a semester. 

“Women need to connect more, a lot of women don’t realize they have more in common than what’s on the surface,” Gray said.

For those interested in attending gatherings like this, click here to stay updated on the New Era Scholars’ future community events.