Feminism Club promotes healthy relationships with Feb. 13 event
by Brooke Hall
Feb. 8, 2024
The IU Columbus Feminism Club works year-round to promote equality, and one of its goals is to educate the campus community about healthy relationships. As part of that effort, the Feminism Club is hosting a Valentine-themed event, “We Love Healthy Relationships,” on Main Street in the Columbus Learning Center, Feb. 13, 3-4 p.m.
The club works closely with longtime community partner Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, who will support and share resources at the Feb. 13 campus event.
Turning Point’s Stephanie Cunningham attends most Feminism Club meetings, and she recently told group members: “I don’t know if you see it, but you’re doing prevention work every day, and the positive effects of that ripple out. You are out there promoting a safe and welcoming campus with all you do.”
Club co-presidents Sadie Foster and Jackie Mouser said they sometimes encounter confusion about the word “feminism” and emphasized their goal is to promote equality for all. “We do a lot of social justice work, in addition to promoting healthy relationships and raising awareness of issues like domestic violence and human trafficking,” explained Mouser, who’s been part of the group for four years.
The Feminism Club recently co-sponsored an anti-trafficking event with the Criminal Justice Club and plans to work together on Sexual Assault Awareness Month events in April. “Partnering with the Criminal Justice Club has really helped emphasize to the campus community that feminism is for everybody,” noted club member Nevie Henderson.
The Feminism Club also just reached a big milestone: its tenth year in existence. 
Julie Goodspeed-Chadwick, Chancellor’s Professor of English, has served as the club’s advisor ever since a group of her Introduction to Women’s Studies students asked to form the club 10 years ago. She says advising such “brilliant, creative, passionate, awesome” students over the last decade has been one of the highlights of her career.
Goodspeed-Chadwick noted that since the club’s inception, the campus community has developed a much greater understanding of feminism. While a big part of their mission continues to be education and awareness, she added that they also have a lot of fun. For example, club members recounted a recent escape room outing and a meeting where they played/critiqued the game Battle of the Sexes.
