Ace of Clubs: AWARE

AWARE – Alliance for Women’s Awareness, Rights, and Equalities- was formed in an attempt to help students come together and spread knowledge about a variety of women’s issues. Last year a group of students, including current President Nikole Snover, realized the need for a women’s group on campus and got together to create AWARE. The group was originally very small and unknown on campus. Since then, through their hard work and accomplishments on campus, the group won the support of many faculty members.The largest issues the group focuses on are domestic violence and sexual assault. They have worked to address the presence of sexual assault on campus. A major concern is the safety of college students, as well as safety is the recognition of females in their work and interests. AWARE faces these issues by holding and sponsoring activities and discussions, as well as holding concerts to showcase the talent of female artists and performers. They have been involved in many events on campus and continue to participate. There are still only a few active members, but they all put in a great deal of effort to ensure their message is spread throughout Plymouth. They have great plans for next year, and the group will hopefully become more prominent on campus. There are many events on campus that AWARE has been a part of. This year they held a candlelight vigil in October and addressed domestic violence by remembering those who died as a result of domestic violence. The vigil was sobering and reminded the students of the reality of violence even in small towns in New Hampshire. They were also involved in the Vagina Monologues, which was held in February. March was Women’s History Month and there were a number of activities held on campus. The largest event in March was Girls and Guitars and Women off the Page. This was a chance for women to show off their talents and celebrate the spirit of women artists. Women Off the Page celebrated famous women and their poetry or songs.This month is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and AWARE has been busy planning more events. On Tuesday April 27, there is a Clothesline Concert, which will be held from four to eight p.m. and is related to the Clothesline Project that was displayed in front of the HUB earlier this month. At eight p.m. is Take Back the Night. This is an international rally and march that is held at the local level. It’s purpose is to unify men and women in awareness about violence towards women, children, and within families. AWARE is always busy with events to raise awareness about all of these, and other women’s issues. This month some of the members are going to “March for Women’s Lives”, a huge pro-choice rally in Washington D.C. This is the largest women’s reproductive rally that has ever been held. As well as these events, the group is involved in a publication about sexual assault. This publication will include work from student submissions from Plymouth, Keene, and UNH as well as artwork on the subject from the students. AWARE is open to anyone on campus, females and males. Meetings are currently held at 7 PM on Thursdays in the WSGR (Women’s Services and Gender Resources). For more information call the WSGR at 535-2387 or visit AWARE on Plymouth’s website at: http://www.plymouth.edu/wsgr/aware.html. Active members are required to attend at least two meetings a month, but there is no requirement for inactive members. There is no obligation to officially join the group and anyone is welcome to stop by to see what AWARE is working on.