female social space
Today’s Crimson had a huge breakthrough for Harvard. It may not seem like a big deal, but the Seneca, a women’s organization that is part social club part service club, has started renting a space in Harvard Square. I think it’s essential to realize that the space and power inequality on campus, a result of the fact that each male club has a huge mansion on a million-dollar endowment, makes a big difference on campus. From the article:
Other female social clubs have made deliberate efforts to acquire social space, including the Isis’ truncated lease on a one-bedroom apartment last year—but still have found themselves unable to compete with the larger, more well-endowed male final clubs.
“The Seneca’s new space…is a testament to how far we have come and how far we still need to go,” Kim wrote.
“Having been at Harvard for four years and in The Seneca for three, I understand the challenges and institutionalized inequalities that women and women’s groups face socially, academically, and professionally on our campus,” she added.
It’s true, and good for Seneca for starting to do something about it!
Comments
Great, more social elitism. Forgive me for not jumping up with joy at this “huge breakthrough” for two percent of women at Harvard. The problems with final clubs are both gender inequality AND social elitism, and it does little good to try to solve the former while worsening the latter.
unfortunately, your argument against social elitism exposes your ignorance. The Seneca is not an institution of social elitism. I recommend you check out their website: theseneca.org
Their mission statement:
The Seneca is a non-profit organization composed of undergraduate and graduate women of Harvard University. The Seneca works to strengthen opportunities and resources for women, to promote discourse and awareness of issues that affect women, and to build supportive networks for women at Harvard, both for the campus at large and within our membership.
Unlike final clubs, to get into the Seneca you have to apply and interview. Your acceptance is based on grades and achievement, not social connections or old money. If you have a problem with a group that is exclusive based on that set of criteria, you probably shouldn’t be at Harvard.
Sorry, I was under the impression that it was the equivalent of a final club for women. I apologize for the mistake, and thank you for calling their mission statement and application process to my attention.
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