In the face of the coronavirus pandemic and racial injustice, one student involved with the Women’s Center seized the opportunity to bring others together.
The Sisters in Sisterhood initiative is a student-led group whose mission statement is to use their unique backgrounds to advocate and promote all women to reach their full potential.
As the summer of 2020 rolled on, and racial unjust continued to stir across the country, student Amelia Workman had an idea to give the women of Kent State's Integrated Greek Council (IGC) and the Panhellenic Council (Panhel) a way to come together as one. She reached out to student leaders from each sorority and the idea was a hit. After settling on a name, structure, and mission statement, they have been breaking down barriers and building relationships ever since.
"Even though I believed Kent State had a more inclusive sorority life than many other schools, I still saw a lack of connection with IGC and Panhel (sororities), as well as other issues regarding diversity and inclusion," said Workman. "What motivated me was my desire to see sorority life become more diverse and inclusive and to create new sisterhoods between council members."
Director for the Women's Center Cassie Pegg-Kirby says while the battle for equality and the challenges of racial injustice is not going to stop overnight, Sisters in Sisterhood is a way to combat the issues in the world.
"Through this initiative, they are not just addressing the immediate need,” Pegg-Kirby said. “They are building relationships that will sustain over the good times and celebrations as well as through the tough times.”
On a bi-weekly basis, Sisters in Sisterhood members log in to Zoom for an hour and engage in an open dialogue ranging from social and university issues to thoughts and opinions on a wide range of topics. Scheduled events and speakers are also planned, with guests ranging from a student or even a local organization, which have included Women in STEM organization, League of Women Voters Kent, and The Thirst Project.
"Our organization planned two events last semester, a voting registration competition and a self-care mediation live stream on our Instagram," Workman said. "Sisters in Sisterhood aims to create a positive and uplifting sisterhood, which I believe we have accomplished."
Pegg-Kirby says the Sisters in Sisterhood enables each student to have a voice.
"The women in this group have tough conversations and grow and learn from one another – this isn't easy work, but it is necessary," she said. "They seem to enjoy spending the time together, even as people step on or off as their roles change."
As the Women's Center prepares to celebrate 25 years beginning in March, it seems fitting that Sisters in Sisterhood would usher in a new era of understanding, compassion, and respect.
"These students are our future, and if I can help remove some barriers and help them find their voices and fan the flames of their passion for helping create a better, more inclusive, and equitable world, then I have done my job," said Pegg-Kirby. "[Of course], I would be remiss if I did not share that the students are teaching and inspiring me all the time!"
Workman agrees.
"My greatest hope for the future is for the council to continue to create life-changing relationships between women of all backgrounds, races, and sexual and gender orientations."
For more on the Women's Center, visit https://www.kent.edu/womenscenter
For more on the Sisters in Sisterhood, follow their Instagram page @ksu_sistersinsisterhood