There are several clubs and organizations on campus, each catering to different interests and needs. Students at Kean University strive to be versatile, and being active members on campus allows them to assay the characteristic of well-roundedness.
Beginning in May 2016, the Kean community was presented a club that is hard-pressed to be compared to others, and this club goes by the name of I am Woman. Founded by Angelica Glispie and Amber Williams, I am Woman serves to empower women.
“As women who aim to succeed and surround themselves with empowering people, we decided to help unite others who aim to inspire as we do, so we can ultimately grow together...career wise [and] personally,” stated Christelle Marcellus, who is the temporary president of I am Woman and a sophomore sociology major. “We acknowledge that every woman, disregarding the race, has a story and sometimes need “sisters” to help share that story or just listen.”
As found on I am Woman’s Cougar Link page, the organization strives to “empower women” and teach “the importance of self-worth and how to strive for greatness.”
Marcellus specifically elaborates how the organization is going about achieving its objectives.
“We empower women by providing events that our members are in need [of]. For example, we had a ‘How to Dress Professionally’ event, which taught Kean [University] women how to dress appropriately for interviews and corporate culture,” Marcellus commented. “In addition, we’ve had events [led by professional speakers] that gathered [young women] together and encouraged one another to persevere and make time to take care of yourself to have a successful future.”
In less than a year, the organization made efforts to have a presence on campus, efforts that have not gone unnoticed.
Marcellus proudly said, “...we have had a few events. Our most successful one was our Paint and Sip event. This allowed the women to bond and relax during a stressful time of the year.”
In its first full semester as a campus organization, I am Woman also hosted community-based events.
“We’ve had events where we fundraised for breast cancer and donated canned goods to the homeless. All of these events help us to recognize the importance of professionalism and learn the importance of giving back.
“Next semester we plan on having a lot more career building events where students will be able to gain internship opportunities and or learn how to do so. We also have a few inspirational guest speakers planned as well.”
Bonding is an important component of I am Women’s foundation. The organization means to bring women together and teach them how to develop professionally, both individually and collectively.
I am Woman membership can be acquired by attending two club meetings. Afterwards, students can officially join the organization on its Cougar Link page. Meetings are held bi-weekly on Thursdays, starting at 3:30 p.m. Refer to Cougar Link for the meeting location.
Being an active student is not simply about gaining experience because it will look good on a resume. It is also about putting forth the best version of a student so, come graduation, he or she has the confidence to be successful in his or her personal and professional life.
I am Woman’s objective mimics this sentiment: lift up the women on campus.
“I am Woman is not a group that diminishes the power and intelligence of men but instead focuses on the growth of women and unity…” Marcellus said. “What better place to do so than at Kean University, who maintains its reputation as one of the most diverse universities...a university [that] helps to evolve professionalism, friendship and individuals as a whole...that is exactly what our group aims to do.”
