FMLA, or the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, is a national organization, and is a part of many college campuses, including Temple. It’s a great place for fellow feminists to discuss issues, share opinions, and become more educated.
“Temple’s Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance is an organization that works to further the values of intersectional feminism within ourselves, within Temple, and within Philadelphia. We stand firmly against oppressive systems such as patriarchy, white supremacy, and capitalism. We support movements for LGBTQIA+, disability, environmental, and immigrant justice. We fight these systems with education, action, and social events that create a community. We strive to create an accountable space where people can connect with other feminists and discuss their experiences with these systems,” as described on their OwlConnect page.
FMLA is comprised of 10 officers, Faculty/Staff Advisor Kristine Weatherston, President Martha Sherman, Vice-President Abigail Ramey, Events Coordinator Jaid Munczinski, TSG chair Natalie Abellanosa, Secretary Sydney Griffin, Treasurer Katlyn Kroeck, STARS coordinator Grace Whittemore, Social Media chair Kaila Alderfer, and Public Relations chair Kayla Boone.
This club is composed of 50+ members, give or take who can make the meetings or not. FMLA promotes and celebrates intersectionality and is a safe space for anyone who needs it. FMLA began in 2013 and has been active ever since. They’re very involved in the Temple community and hold many events and demonstrations that are normally discussed first in the meetings, which are held every Tuesday from 5:30-7 in various places around campus. Each meeting has a topic that will be discussed and is accompanied with an informative powerpoint about the topic that includes discussion questions and videos. The club also holds caucuses pertaining to many intersections including POC, LGBTQIA, and mental illness.
Valerie Dowret, an 18 year old Journalism major said, “I was surprised by how many guys were there (at the meetings) and I think that shows that feminism is more of an issue that’s coming into play for men, which is good.”
FMLA also immerses themselves in the community of Philadelphia as well. Every year, Philly holds a March To End Rape Culture, and the FMLA joins in with hand-made posters and the drive to stop rape culture, and a plethora of others things, that are within the patriarchy.
“Because we aim to be an intersectional feminist organization, we need to serve as resources and allies for members,” says public relations chair, Kayla Boone.
The FMLA also is currently campaigning for the removal of Patrick J. O’Connor’s name from the newly renovated Founder’s Garden, as well as his resignation from the Board of Trustees. O’Connor is known to have defended Bill Cosby in 2005 on a case of sexual assault against a former employee of the university. He and his wife, Marie have also been very philanthropic to Temple.
Boone has already sent an open letter to the President of Temple University, Richard Englert, with no response yet. The FMLA plans for more emails to be sent, to start a petition, and then progress from there. In addition, their organization was present at Saturday’s March Against Rape Culture in Center City.
This organization has an incredible presence on campus, and Her Campus Temple is proud to support them.