At Andrews, students have the opportunity to sign up for diverse clubs to enrich their college experience. These clubs are places where students can interact with other individuals who share their values, form friendships and enhance their knowledge on various topics. One of the newer clubs on campus, formed in September 2018, is the Women's Empowerment Association of Andrews University (WEAAU). As a part of Women’s History Month, WEAAU has been endeavoring to provide thoughtful events and activities for its members to participate in.
Shalom Dosunmu (political science, graduate student) is the founding president of WEAUU. Much like the rest of the clubs on campus, they had to proceed through AU’s standard new club creation process. However, Ms. Dosunmu shared that the most challenging aspect of starting WEAAU was assembling the founding team. She commented, “being intentional about diversity and finding passionate women that represent the message was a tough but fulfilling experience.”
Autumn Goodman (senior, photography) is one of the co-presidents and the graphic designer of WEAAU this year. As the graphic designer of the club, she has played a vital role in creating the graphics for events for Women’s History Month, and has also designed the club sweater and interacted with club members on social media. As co-president, she is tasked with the responsibility of appointing new officers for the upcoming year and helping them with completing their duties. She says, “It is pertinent to create and help facilitate a positive working environment for the officers and to allow everyone’s voice to be heard and considered. WEAAU is an inclusive club for people of all ages.”
To celebrate Women’s History Month, WEAAU hosted their annual Women’s History Month vespers on March 5, 2021, where there was a woman lead praise team and a thought-provoking panel discussion about the experience of being a woman in the Seventh-day Adventist church. Additionally, WEAAU and the Pre-Law Society have been hosting a series of Tuesday Short Courses on the subject of sexual assault awareness.
Mica Aldridge (junior, speech-language pathology) is a current member of the WEAAU club. She thought it was the perfect place to meet new friends. The club showcased educational possibilities that she did not find elsewhere. She added that she has attended multiple amazing vespers services, a scrumptious cake decorating event, aesthetic pumpkin painting and a thoughtful Galentine's celebration. Those events were enjoyable, and she was able to spend quality time with friends. Ms. Aldridge remarked, “WEAAU provides events and gatherings that help to empower women. It’s nice to spend time doing fun and enriching activities around other women, and provides such a unique and fun platform for women on campus.”
To learn more about the WEAAU club, check out their Instagram page @we.aau for updates on upcoming activities and events.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.