The Feminist Fair, an event organized by professor Cookie Woolner, had various tables set up from different organizations as well as a free photo booth.
Women’s History Month festivities officially started this week with the Feminist Fair, a event in which resources and organizations for women were made available.Â
The Feminist Fair, organized by University of Memphis history professor Cookie Woolner was hosted in the University Center Atrium from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Woolner said she wants to inform students about Women’s History Month and events being hosted throughout March with this annual event. Woolner also said the Feminist Fair provides a platform for multiple local organizations to reach out to students.
“This is an annual event we have to kickoff Women’s History Month; the Feminist Fair is to let students know about Women’s History Month and upcoming events being held all month,†Woolner said. “We have some local organizations here related to gender and sexuality, so it’s really about spreading awareness of local events that pertain to women and also community organizations.â€
The Feminist Fair featured several local organizations such as OUTMemphis, Sister Reach, Memphis Feminist Collective and Choices.
Margaret Stout, a member of Sister Reach, said the organization not only provides free condoms but also information about sexual health and other services to students.
“We are a reproductive justice organization, and we have many different things that we do,†Stout said. “We’re a free condom site. We do free HIV testing by appointment. We also have a LGBTQ-based part of Sister Reach centered around masculine-based women.â€
Stout said Sister Reach does not just impact women. They also have parts of Sister Reach that aim to impact everyone.
“We also have a faith based part of Sister Reach,†Stout said. “I organize the social justice preacher series, and we discuss social justice issues that affect the most impacted communities. A lot of people assume Sister Reach is just for helping women, and the point is justice is a small piece of human rights. So basically we are advocating for human rights.â€
Martavius Hampton, the director of sexual health at OUTMemphis, said the organization is an LGBTQ community center that provides services for that community.
“There are social groups such as GenQ, which is for 18- to 25-year-old youth,†Hampton said. “Also, we have trans services, services for people of color and we also offer referrals to doctors, counselors or hormone replacement therapy. We also educate outside the LGBTQ community, whether it’s churches, places of worship, hospitals or Shelby County Schools. We go out to educate as well.â€
Hampton said OUTMemphis also hosts events and activities for the LGBTQ community in Memphis.
“We also have fun things, special events and all that stuff,†Hampton said. “We try to make sure we have stuff for the LGBTQ community and their allies, so we kind of do a range of things for the community.â€
More information about these organizations can be found on each of their websites. For more information about upcoming Women’s History Month events students can visit memphis.edu/whm.
