Women find support, friendship in weekly meetings

by Jen Strawn
Staff Writer

On a rainy April evening, six women gathered in the front room of the United Campus Ministry’s offices. The women talk amongst themselves, sharing the happenings of their week, but then the personal conversations ended as members anticipated the start of the meeting. The leader for the week started a discussion by offering characteristics rapists look for when choosing a victim.

As she read the characteristics aloud, some of the women ran their fingers through their long hair, realizing the feature might make them a target. Some look down at their clothing, wondering if that makes them more likely to be a victim.

Personal discussions that raise consciousness of issues concerning women on campus characterizes Our Bodies, Our Spirits, Ourselves, a women’s consciousness group for women students at Ohio University offered through UCM.

“The group is a way for students to meet and reflect on their lives,” said Jan Griesinger, director of UCM. “The students are facing the same things, and it’s helpful to know that other people have thought about it and are struggling with what to do.”

Women’s groups at UCM have existed for three or four years, but this format has been around since Winter Quarter this year, Griesinger said. The group, named after the “bible” of the women’s health movement, offers a small discussion group where women can gather to share their experiences.

“Women have a great deal to share with each other and that can make us strong,” Griesinger said.

Leslie Thornton, an OU junior and Spiritual Growth Intern at UCM, said the group allows for women to find common ground with other women and discuss issues that effect them and society as a whole.

“The women who attend benefit from having close female friends with whom they can discuss issues with,” Thornton said. “They have a chance to discuss things with other women in a ways they can’t with other classmates or friends.”

Topics for previous meetings include violence, body image, media portrayal of women and even relationships. Members generate topics each week and often take turns leading the discussion, Thornton said.

“The things we talk about affect everyone in society, but it uniquely affects women,” Thornton said.

The meetings are not structured and take on the form of a free form discussion. Each week a member will take charge of leading the discussion and providing questions for dialogue. An opening discussion question is usually offered, but the conversation normally continues naturally from then on, Thornton said.

No one is forced to speak, but sharing personal experiences is encouraged. Thornton said the sensitive topics could cause a person to be more comfortable listening rather than speaking.

“We don’t want to ask people to talk about something they aren’t comfortable talking about,” Thornton said. “However if someone’s talking we’ll challenge them to explain their views further.”