October Student Organization Spotlight
Student Organization Spotlight Interview: L.E.A.V.E.s
Women’s Center L.E.A.V.E.s are Leaders who Educate, Advocate, and lift Voices for gender Equity. L.E.A.V.E.s is a peer education group on campus that works towards dismantling patriarchal systems and educating the Wake Forest community about feminism.
How do you become a member of L.E.A.V.E.s?
Taryn Douglas: “To become a member of L.E.A.V.E.s, you have to submit the Wake Forest University P.E.E.R.S application and complete an interview. If you are selected to be a peer educator, you must attend the mandatory two day training to become certified.”
What does L.E.A.V.E.s do? What are some upcoming goals and projects?
Abby Furman: “LEAVEs works to make Wake Forest a more equitable place, specifically through the lens of feminism. We work on growing in our own beliefs and hope to give others the same opportunity to challenge themselves. Currently, we are working on programming specifically oriented to first-year students! We’re hopeful about expanding our cohort this year to others who are interested in the goals we’re working towards.”
Kendall Henretta: “One of the biggest goals for LEAVEs, I think, is getting the word out that we are here and ready to meet so many wonderful new people! We are hoping to expand into the community and interact with the student body, faculty, and Winston-Salem area through educational sessions, workshops, and fun activities. Spreading information on gender equity and what that looks like, both in a person’s personal life, professional life, and academic life is crucial as well.”
What is your role as a member of L.E.A.V.E.s for advocating gender equity on campus?
Abby Furman: “My role in LEAVEs has been collaborating with other team members to develop our feminism and design programming to help other students do the same. It’s been a unique opportunity to connect with others on campus who hope to make it a more equitable place!”
What is your favorite part about being in L.E.A.V.E.s?
Abby Furman: “My favorite part about being in L.E.A.V.E.s is the community of people involved. I’ve enjoyed getting to know others who challenge me to grow in my beliefs.”
Taryn Douglas: “My favorite part about being in L.E.A.V.E.s has been gaining more knowledge on women and gender issues through engaging in conversations with other members.”
Kendall Henretta: “My favorite part about LEAVEs has been the opportunity to meet with like-minded people who not only shared similar passions but completely new ones. Hearing from other LEAVEs members, their personal experiences, educations, and interests had inspired me to research topics I am not familiar with, listen to those who face these obstacles, and uplift the voices of those trying to make a difference.”
Any words of encouragement for others starting their feminist journey?
Kendall Henretta: “Words I wish I could have heard would be: do not feel intimidated by what others feel the standards of feminism are. People hold various ideas as to what the ideal way to practice feminism is, but to each person, the journey is personal and unique. The information you are to learn will be different from others but treat this as an opportunity to reach out and have discussions with others rather than keep what you have learned to yourself. Branching out and sharing stories, and hearing others stories, is one of the best ways to learn and an opportunity to build a community.”