As February quickly approaches, EMPOWER club members at York prepare for V-Day.  This 17-year-old movement “promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations,” according to V-Day’s website.

York has recognized V-Day every year since the movement’s commencement.  EMPOWER, being York’s feminist club, takes the reins in spreading the word of V-Day around school.  In order to encourage all Dukes to actively participate in standing up to violence against women, members of EMPOWER greet students at the Academic entrance the morning of February 14 with red felt V pins.

The club strives to educate students and staff about the meaning behind the V’s through posters designed by club members, along with Potty Presses—fast-fact fliers posted in bathroom stalls.  Besides these standard events, EMPOWER presents some other ways of “revitalizing the spirit” of V-Day that vary from year to year.  In years passed, club members had set up a table in the Learning Commons selling inexpensive wristbands with V-Day themes.  This year as the club brainstorms new methods of increasing awareness, the possibility of showing a free film after school has been mentioned.

V-Day is recognized globally and shares its date with Valentine’s Day.  As the world expresses love for its significant others, may the love and respect for women be expressed just as well.  To join EMPOWER in their preparation for this day, meet them in room A396 every Monday at 3:15.