Macalester feminists are getting organized again.

The student organization Feminists In Action (FIA) is waking up from a yearlong dormancy. The group has gathered 45 members since holding its first meeting at the beginning of this semester, and expects to be chartered at the next MCSG meeting, according to Rachel Becker, one of the founding members of FIA.

“Feminist and gender issues are not really addressed here on campus,” said Elana Wolowitz ’04, another founding member. “People feel that this is a passion in their lives, but there’s not really an outlet for it. We want to provide a place where everyone feels welcome.”

Dean of Students Laurie Hamre, welcomes the presence of a new women’s organization on campus. “It’s an opportunity for more women to play a leadership role and learn these skills while at college,” Hamre said. “There continues to be a need to raise awareness and keep equality on the front burner. We have a responsibility to do all of this in and out of the classroom.”

FIA members want to provide a forum for discussion about feminism and women’s issues. Many are also involved in community service working with issues such as reproductive rights, eating disorders, young girls’ self-esteem, and women’s education. “A women’s group is really going to promote these issues in a way that no other group does,” Becker said.

March is Women’s History Month, and FIA and the community Service Office (CSO) have a number of events planned. Among other things, there will be an “equity pay bakesale” where men will have to pay a higher price for their muffins and cookies, proportionate to their higher average income. Those who want to see traditional gender roles reversed can attend “In the Kitchen,” where male students and faculty members will cook and serve dinner to female guests.

Various women’s organizations have come and gone on campus, Hamre said. The greatest interest she remembers was in 1997, when Macalester had six chartered women’s organizations.

Interest for the old FIA died out during the fall of 2000, according to one of its former leaders, Laura Bartlow ’02. Some students thought the organization was unnecessary since Macalester was already aware of equality issues, according to Bartlow. “I think people at Macalester are generally aware, but sometimes they are sort of self-congratulatory about how aware they are,” she said. “We still need a way for women to come together and empower themselves.”

Students were also turned off by the word “feminism,” Bartlow said. “I actually had people tell me they didn’t join because of the word ‘feminists’ in the name,” she said.

The founders of the new FIA say they are aware that “feminism” sometimes has a negative connotation, and say they want to avoid being seen as man-haters. They want to leave the word open for the members to interpret it their own way. “We’re trying to rethink the word ‘feminism,’” Becker said. “Nobody wants to define it for anybody else. There’s never going to be a universal definition of feminism. There’s kind of a niche for everyone.”

After Women’s History Month, the groups will begin planning other events, and hopes to collaborate with other student groups.

“I want FIA to be a space for women of all different perspectives and backgrounds to come together and learn from each other,” said Delaney Keyes ’04, another founding member. “We want to be able to provide support and resources for members’ different ideas and passions.”