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Wearing matching lima bean-colored shirts, which proudly boast "Where Confidence, Diversity and Passion Collide," the members of the Association for Women in Business offers students a space to examine gender in the workplace.
While addressing women's issues in the corporate world is a priority, the association is by no means a women-only organization, said President Brittany Fortune.
"It's women empowering themselves, becoming confident, believing in themselves and men being confident about women being their bosses or employees," Fortune said.
There are many organizations on campus that focus on a variety of aspects of business, but the association offers something different by including everyone and covering issues that prepare men and women for the workplace, she said.
"It's not a feminist club, it's not about that," Fortune said. "It's men and women welcoming women into the working world."
Fortune hopes that one day the organization will be called People in Business, but right now they know women's issues need to be addressed when preparing for the corporate world, she said.
One of the main topics of discussion for the association is communication between men and women in the workplace. Both genders interpret things differently when communicating, said Kristen Schultz, director of marketing for the association.
"Because men and women have such different communication styles, we focus on how to conquer them and use them for the better," Schultz said. "That way it will knock down a lot of walls and barriers later in the business world."
Robert Morrison, fund chair committee member, knows it is important to be a part of a group that later helps with the empowerment of women in the workforce, he said.
"It's a great club for men, women, anyone who is in business or the college of business whose focus is on business skills or personal communication," he said. "We all get along and have fun, too."
While the club offers many topics of interest including avoiding sticky situations to resume workshop building and fundraising opportunities, it's a place for all students to come and embrace women in the corporate world, Fortune said.
A good way to start building a resume is by becoming involved in different clubs and organizations, Fortune said. The association is looking forward to an upcoming fundraiser called Bury the Wheelchair.
It will help to raise money for the nonprofit organization Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association, which helps support families, children and young adults who have hemiplegia, a type of cerebral palsy in which one-half of the body is paralyzed, according to CHASA. Between 500,000 and 700,000 Americans have some degree of cerebral palsy.
Besides raising awareness of cerebal palsy, the association strives to provide students skills to empower women in the corporate world, Fortune said.
Women make up less than 3 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs and less than 7 percent of Fortune 500 top earners, according to Catalyst.org.
"Women are still considered a minority in the corporate world," Fortune said. "But we can't begin to have these conversations about change until men are present."
Sasha Knox can be reached at sknox@theorion.com
Related links U.S. Women in Business: Catalyst
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