Renowned feminist and scholar Gloria Steinem delivered the keynote address Monday evening at a gala celebrating 40 years of accomplishments of the Women's Equity Action League.
BOWLING GREEN -- Renowned feminist and scholar Gloria Steinem delivered the keynote address Monday evening at a gala celebrating 40 years of accomplishments of the Women's Equity Action League.
Male and female supporters crowded the ballroom for the $50 a plate gala on the campus of Bowling Green State University. Mary Krueger, director of the BGSU Women's Center introduced a host of speakers that included BGSU President Mary Ellen Mazey, and a group of BGSU students who recognized the impact of WEAL on their lives and academic careers.
Summer 2012 graduate student Joetta Kynard beamed, "As a first generation college graduate, I am a role model for my daughters and have given them something to strive for." She continued, "Because of the awareness that WEAL brought to women's issues, I am standing here today."
Archived documents were recently discovered that name Elizabeth Boyer, a 1937 BGSU alum, as the founding President of WEAL. WEAL is known nationally for helping to pave the way for women's equality rights and social activism. The 40-year-old organization has ceased operations this year and Steinem discussed the current and future direction of feminism, equality in the workforce, and gender roles.
"I hope that we look at each of the areas in which each of you in this room are feeling in your life, are studying in the classroom, or experiencing in your work and understand that there is no thing on Earth that is more important than what you are doing," said Steinem.
A native of Toledo, the 78-year-old Steinem has been at the forefront of feminism, steering the movement as an author, journalist and activist. She founded/co-founded "Ms. Magazine," the National Organization for Women, the Women's Media Center, the National Women's Political Caucus, and the Women's Action Alliance.
Steinem urged, "It is transformational in every area of life to look at the world as if everyone mattered."
Boyer's niece Pat Bliss-Egan presented Steinem with the Women's Equity Action League's final achievement award to honor her decades of work towards social justice.
Steinem will attend a special $250-a-plate brunch on Tuesday at the University House at BGSU. Only 50 people will be granted admission to the event. Proceeds will benefit the Elizabeth M. Boyer Fund, which was recently set up to provide financial assistance to BGSU undergraduate female students who bear primary custodial responsibility to their children.
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