Spring semester, Scripps College welcomed a new student organization, Women of the World (WOW). The idea for WOW was simple: Scripps women helping women locally and globally.
The organization offers the Scripps community opportunities to address issues that affect women worldwide, such as: the expanding epidemic of AIDS.
Last summer, Elizabeth Baker ’06 volunteered at the Baphumele Children’s Home in South Africa, an orphanage that provides care to children affected by AIDS. When she returned to Scripps, Elizabeth learned that DeEttra Kudera, associate dean of students, was searching for a charity for
WOW to support. “The orphanage is run by women, and I felt the women at Scripps would be interested in helping other women and children,” Elizabeth remarked.
The organization is focusing on the AIDS epidemic, as women are among the highest risk groups for HIV infection. In addition to the physical effects of the inflection, women must often deal with stigma, discrimination, and in some cases violence when their HIV-positive status is discovered.
Women of the World successfully began a semester-long Wednesday night fundraiser.
On February 8, the first WOW “Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Night,” volunteers sold toasted sandwiches and hot soup for a dollar to more than 60 students. Elizabeth commented, “We hope that students will come to our grilled cheese night hungry and leave full, wanting to become involved in our cause.”
A portion of the funds raised will be given to the Baphumele Children’s Home to help them increase their staff to accommodate the growing number of children in need. WOW also offers support to the Foothill AIDS Project, a local organization which provides comprehensive support services for people living with HIV or AIDS and preventive education to the community.
In addition to supporting these two programs, WOW will provide AIDS education to the Scripps community. Working with the Health Education Outreach and the Student AIDS Awareness Committee, the group will present a movie series and other events dealing with the topics of prevention and the global AIDS crisis.
Women of the World is a collaborative effort supported by SCORE (Scripps Communities of Resources and Empowerment), SARLO (Scripps Activities and Residential Life Office), Scripps
Associated Students, McAlister Center Community Service Office, and the Motley Coffeehouse.