The Barometer Online

Issue date: 6/7/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Cory Reed Katie Allen, a senior in business at Oregon State, along with a volunteer's daughter, put the finishing touches on flower pots under one of the Women's Center tents. Wednesday's Feminist Fair featured musical performances, activities and free food.

The sporadic showers of the afternoon didn't seem to dampen spirits of those participating in the Feminist Fair, put on by the Women's Center yesterday in the MU Quad. Booths from different campus organizations and cultural centers provided information, small talk, and goody bags.

"We're trying to raise awareness about the Women's Center, because a lot of people don't know that we're here," said Meghan Hollis, one of the organizers of the fair. "Also, we want to raise awareness about feminism, and set up an environment where discussion about these issues can occur." Music provided by Bonton Roulet, the Black Poets Society and Divine entertained the crowd while ice cones and free popcorn were up for grabs for anyone passing by. The Pride Center, Asian Pacific Culture Center, Peer Health Advocates, OSU Student Health Service Center, CARVA, C.L(it) Club, Every 1, VOX, FMLA and MARS all participated in the day's festivities, seeing the fair as means to relate information and provide resources to the student community.

"We're hoping that people will stop by and get information, and of course have a good time," Hollis said. Those stopping by the fair had the chance to participate in a raffle by picking up a ticket from any booth. Prizes included gift certificates from local businesses like High Priestess and American Dream Pizza.

"We also have an equity bake sale going on, to make people aware of the fact that women still make about 22 cents less for ever dollar that a man makes," said Caeli Virag, another organizer of the event.

"A lot of college women don't identify themselves as feminists - we want to educate them about feminism," said Beth Rietveld, coordinator for the Women's Center. "A lot of people are afraid of that little blue building, they think that we hate men or that we're only a rape crisis center." Rietveld wants students to realize what the Women's Center does and that people who work there are friendly and also fun.

A variety of students passed by, some opting to stay others choosing to go. "I thought that this would be fun, I mean there's free food, fun people and good music," said Shalynn Pack, who attended the fair.

"I took a women studies class in fall, and thought it was interesting," said Kenall Smith, who came to the fair with Pack. "I thought it'd be fun, and it turned out that way."

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