REBECCA HALE
Assistant Reverb Editor
The Women’s Student Union hosted its annual event, Women, Rock and Soul, last Tuesday evening in the Williams Center Multipurpose Room. This year’s event was themed “Women Rock the Vote” and emphasized the importance of voting not only for women, but for the highly unrepresented college age group, as well.
Representatives from the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters were present at the event and encouraged all attendees to register to vote.
“This is something that college students should be doing — is voting and getting involved — because it’s often really intimidating,” said Holly Paolicelli, a senior social work major and vice president of WSU. “Just because there’s not a presidential election doesn’t mean you can’t vote, and it doesn’t mean that that’s not going to make a difference.”
Two of the many students who signed up to vote at Women, Rock and Soul were Lucy Bell, a sophomore interdisciplinary studies major and Devinne Arnold, a sophomore early childhood development major.
“It’s something I’ve been meaning to do,” said Arnold. “I know it’s important, but I always have so much stuff going on that I don’t think to go out of my way and do it, so it was convenient to do it tonight.”
Bell had a similar response to Arnold and many other college students who have never registered.
“I had always been meaning to vote, but I just never got around to it,” she said. “I’ve obviously never voted before, but I think it’s an important thing to do, and what a great right to have to be able to do it!”
Students and faculty were also encouraged to dress up as their favorite female politicians as a part of the annual costume contest. The winner of the contest, judged at the end of the evening, was awarded a t-shirt that read, “A woman’s place is in the House and the Senate.”
“The idea of Women, Rock and Soul is really to let people get up and perform and to get everyone together and highlight that we’re here,” said Paolicelli.
Arnold feels that WSU is one of the campus clubs that is positive and welcoming; events like Women, Rock and Soul exemplify that positivity.
“Whenever I go to WSU meetings and I’m around women like this, I can come here by myself as a stranger and feel welcome,” said Arnold. “It’s empowering.”
There was also a basket raffle — all proceeds were donated to the Jeanette McVicker Scholarship fund for the women’s and gender studies program. The raffle raised $160. All proceeds from ticket sales were also donated. Basket donors included Lady of the Lake, Dunkirk Movieplex, Ossabelle Trinkets, CMA groups and various Women’s Student Union E-board members.
“We have so many raffle baskets this year that we didn’t have before — so many people donated. It’s amazing how the community just pulled together, which is different than how it’s been in the past,” said Paolicelli.
The evening was introduced by WSU President, Courtney Loiacono, followed by the League of Women Voters. Afterwards, entertainment was provided by various student performers including Meghan Johnson, Deanna Buley, Some Like it Hot, Deanna Civilette, Ruckman and the Basterds, The Riveters, Helen’s Band, Premium Blend, Kate Gratson and Gabby Carr and Ellen Scherer. Additionally, Virginia Croft was the acting emcee. Catering was provided through FSA.