Christina Thorpe was attending her Global Women’s Studies Colloquium lecture series when members of the Global Women's Studies Honors Society came in to pitch the group to the students.
Thorpe has always been passionate about women’s studies and equality, so she jumped at the opportunity to join the honors society.
“I’ve experienced a lot of discrimination and disrespect because I’m a woman, and I’ve seen it happen a lot,” Thorpe said.
When Thorpe expressed interest, she explained that they wanted her help, giving her the role of the communications director for the society.
“I love the people here. It’s a really great group, and we would love to see more people become a part of it,” Thorpe said.
The honors society has been working hard to celebrate Women’s History Month with activities and events planned for every week in March.
One of these events was the suffrage sing-along on March 10. During this event, participants sang selected songs written by Utah women in the 1890s.
Global Women's Studies Honor Society is an official honors society created to encourage and support students from Brigham Young University who have an interest in women’s studies.
Catherine Geary, the program assistant, has been working with the honors society for two years and emphasizes the academic aspect.
“The primary reason for the society is actually a student association for academic study in women's issues,” Catherine Geary said.
The honor society encourages experiential learning by giving students opportunities to apply what they learn.
“This year specifically, they’ve really put a big focus on camaraderie and on service. I feel like the ladies who have taken over the program this year have done a really good job of trying to include new people, inviting new people and to help them recognize their value,” Catherine Geary said.
Members Phoebe Clark and Elizabeth Geary, Catherine Geary’s daughter, are the current presidents of the honors society and have seen the impact the program has had on them.
“It’s given me a lot of research opportunities as I’m reading studies or interviews or interacting with people in my daily life. I can see what I’m learning in real life,” Clark said.
Along with the projects and opportunities, the honors society hosts discussions and other activities as well.
These discussions and activities explore the ways women’s lives are affected by certain events and how they contribute to social inequalities.
Elizabeth Geary said that because of these events, she’s been able to find hope despite the different statistics or situations she hears about.
“It’s been really cool to be in a community and hear all the good things that are happening too. I feel like sometimes those get brushed over. There’s all these amazing women doing all these amazing things, and all these amazing men helping with women’s issues. It’s been such a release and so hopeful and invigorating,” Elizabeth Geary said.
Catherine Geary explained that this subject matter applies to everyone because it explores the strengths of both men and women, and both genders can work together to make the world go round.
“For BYU, global women’s studies is a different program than any other gender studies program in the world,” Catherine Geary said. “We focus on the importance of being daughters of God and using our gifts to bless and make contributions to the world ... We encourage them to first and foremost recognize their value as daughters of God.”
“I feel like by applying that perspective, we become more empathetic, Christ-like individuals,” Clark said.