Greek Women’s Initiative and Duke’s changing culture

We are writing in response to a call to action written by the Editorial Board on April 15. The article, “Students must work for positive gender relations,” expressed the concern that students needed to take initiative in the effort for gender equity on campus. It lauded the Panhellenic Association for its strides in activism and advocacy while stressing that other groups must use their voices to work for gender justice. It noted that greek women in particular must join the gender conversation if gender equity is to be achieved.

Greek Women’s Initiative is a student-led organization that began last Fall with a small but dedicated group of men and women from many different chapters in each of the four greek councils. These students came together to promote a change in gender culture on campus, to give voice to and to foster dialogue about gender issues within and beyond the greek community. Since its advent, GWI has grown to include all four councils and several chapters on campus. Its base includes men and women interested in discussions about and advocacy for the gender issues that Duke students face every day.

GWI’s facilitators have hosted conversations within their respective chapters, its executive board has organized campus-wide events about gender in the greek community, and its general body has participated in multiple events hosted by both greek and non-greek organizations. Last Monday Duke University Student Leadership and Service Awards presented GWI with the award for Outstanding New Student Organization, and last Friday President Richard Brodhead cited GWI specifically as an example of students taking responsibility for and activism toward campus culture.

GWI has had a phenomenally successful debut onto Duke’s scene, and we are dedicated to maintaining and broadening that success and potential into the coming years.

Kelsey Woodford, Trinity ’13

President, Greek Women’s Initiative