Women Rock and Soul raises awareness through entertainment

Event fundraises for annual Jeanette McVicker Women's Studies Scholarship

LINDSAY COFFTA
Special to The Leader

MARY LEMCKE/ ILLUSTRATION EDITOR

Penniless, fun-loving college students are willing to spend $3 on a single high-calorie drink during a night out. Yet for the same price, they can support the beautiful mystery of femininity.

Women Rock and Soul is a fundraising concert-style event that was created in 1996 and has taken place every year since. From 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8 at Ellicottville Brewing Company, this unique and exciting affair will mark its eleventh year, charging a mere $3 cover.

Women Rock and Soul is a special fundraiser for the Jeanette McVicker Women's Studies Scholarship and its proceeds are also used for the Women's Studies Program here at Fredonia. The scholarship is given annually to an outstanding student who excels in Women's Studies and participates in feminist activism on campus.

After being deactivated for several years, the program was brought to life again in 1996 through the efforts of an exemplary handful of students, staff and faculty, including the woman who founded the scholarship, English and journalism professor Jeanette McVicker.

Upon its new beginning, the Women's Studies Program barely had enough money to fully start up.

"There was no budget; we literally had to go begging to try and get money to bring in speakers," McVicker said.

On a night out, McVicker and her colleagues were brainstorming ideas on how to make money for programming. After what some would call an epiphany, they came up with the idea of a concert/activism event that would not only provide great entertainment and raise money but also promote safety and awareness for women.

"The idea came into play for two reasons: to raise money for the program and to prove that downtown is not just a place for guys to pick up chicks," McVicker said.

Alyssa Brooke-Gay, junior English major, women's studies minor and president of the Women's Student Union, said, "Simply put, Women Rock and Soul is a blast. There will be plenty of wonderful performances from students and faculty members and there will be a raffle with over $500 in prizes in a silent auction."

Along with a night of drinking, males and females alike can get their fill of diverse entertainment at Women Rock and Soul. There will be a plethora of students, staff and faculty reading poems and short stories, singing a capella, playing instrumental music and dancing.

Although this event does raise a substantial amount of money, another crucial aspect of its importance is its devotion and concern regarding the awareness and safety of women when they are out downtown.

"Women's safety downtown is a major concern, especially considering recent events," said junior English education major Amanda Dziewa.

Men may not seem to fit perfectly into this equation but in reality it is quite the opposite. Several acts at this event are performed by men or include them.

"Obviously males have women in their life that they care about and want to be safe," said senior visual arts and new media major Steven Inkin. "Raising awareness about something as important as this is a great idea."

Since Women Rock and Soul is held at Ellicottville Brewery, you can expect an intimate experience.

"We try to foster a warm, encouraging environment and I think that shows through," Brooke-Gay said. "What is most important about this event is that we allow women to speak their mind without fear of censoring."