Women In Thought (WIT) was formed in 2003 by a group of undergraduate women and men at the University of Pennsylvania dedicated to political and social awareness of women’s issues. Women In Thought brings together a diverse intellectual mix of women in order to discuss issues relevant to their lives. After some discussion about the role of men in such an organization, it now consists of women and men from Penn’s intellectual community, thus creating a forum for political and social discussions, activism on and off campus, and an opportunity to have intellectual discourse. This year four meetings took place with 50 members. A range of activities occurred throughout the year including programs on Penn’s Gender Equity Report and Women in Science, as well as volunteering in the community at a women’s drug treatment program and a homeless shelter for women. On average, twenty to thirty people attended these activities, which were often covered in the Daily Pennsylvanian. Women In Thought also facilitated the “Celebration of Women at Penn” in honor of Penn’s 1973 Anti-Rape Sit In and Women’s History Month. Over two hundred people participated including President Rodin, faculty members and leaders from various student organizations. WITs activities not only educated the larger Penn community about women’s issues, but also raised awareness about inappropriate behaviors occurring during one of Penn’s traditions, Hey Day ( when juniors become seniors). WIT leaders led a campus wide initiative that successfully challenged the sexism reflected in previous Hey Day celebrations at Penn and were covered in the
Philadelphia Inquirer. In addition, WIT cofounders, Helen Kim and Lisa Pattinati, received the 2003 Alice Paul Award from the Association of Women Faculty and Administrators, for their leadership in addressing women’s issues at Penn and in the broader Philadelphia community.
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E-mail:
pennwit@dolphin.upenn.edu
