The Feminist Equality Movement Club at SDSU, also known as the FEM Club, has faced some challenges since becoming official in 2003, but it still tries to be a safe space for all.
Even though the topics the club members discuss have become more political in recent years, the FEM Club doesn’t affiliate with any specific political party, according to FEM Club President Lizzy Pickering, a third-year human development family studies student.
“Even like consent and contraceptives has become such a political topic, so politics have started to play a bigger role for sure in the last few years,” Pickering said, “especially with this presidential administration.”
These more sensitive topics do involve disagreements with other people in the Brookings community. As an on-campus organization that is technically open to the public, it can make it more difficult to promote content as well. Even though it is rare for non-SDSU students to attend these meetings, they still need to be more specific on the age ranges that they can attend.
Chloe Holzwarth, a third-year advertising and graphic design student, is the social media manager for the club. She aims to be careful with promotions to prevent the FEM Club from being shut down.
“Even just tabling, we try not to push too hard. I feel like there are some clubs that really go up to you and talk to you,” Holzwarth said, “But we try to be more of the ‘approach’ versus the ‘approacher.’”
The FEM Club community works to stay strong even throughout its different challenges. Freshman club member, Sophie Spier, only has good things to say when asked what she enjoys about this club.
“I enjoy the inclusion and overall safe space,” Spier said, “I think the community is amazing and would benefit from expanding.”
Freshman member Bina Nelson agreed and added onto that idea.
“I enjoy the people,” Nelson said, “If I was going through a crisis, I could talk to any of them. I met some of my best friends through here.”
Other organizations that aren’t on the SDSU campus have shown their support to the club. This has allowed the FEM Club to build connections that not only help the executive team, but also any of the students on campus.
Not only is the FEM Club a safe space because of the people within its community, but they also provide different contraceptives donated from these outside organizations. Even with the variety of beliefs agreeing or disagreeing with the club’s beliefs, many people do see the importance of having these contraceptives easily available.
The president aims to make these types of products even more available as the club grows.
“We receive Plan B donations and want to start providing a way for people to request those from us, because those retail for $50 at Walmart,” Pickering said, “And if we’re able to provide them to people for free that can be a helpful barrier to break down for people, especially college students.”
Overall, the FEM Club has the goal of being a well-known resource on campus. Even with its occasional challenges, the support from the community and outside organizations has been important throughout the years.
