For over a year, Ariella Westreich has been growing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Advocates Club at SRU.
Westreich is a sophomore majoring in Secondary Social Studies Education with minors in Political Science and Special Education.
Westreich created this organization when she was a freshman to bring awareness to the Equal Rights Amendment and take action for gender equality.
The club focuses on community engagement and advocacy.
“We have people really excited about [ERA Advocates Club]. We did chalking for the ERA on campus, so we wrote messages spreading awareness about the Equal Rights Amendment, and we’re very active. We’re watching a documentary about Shirley Chisholm next Thursday. She is the first Black woman to be elected to Congress, and the first Black woman to run for president in 1972, so we are going to have pizza and watch a documentary,” Westreich said.
The ERA Advocates Club meets every Monday at 6 p.m.
“It was so stressful starting a club, and I have this urge to really make a difference and take action. At the beginning of our meetings, we started this thing called Feminist Feature, so we talk about a feminist who has been underrated or buried in history to kind of raise awareness to multiple feminists and aspects of the feminist movement,” Westreich said.
The organization has currently been preparing for a student protest on campus. Westreich has been working with Dimajio Locante and Elijah Hill to make this possible.
ERA Advocates will be meeting in the Quad on Thursday Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. with members from other clubs as well.
The club plans to spread awareness about situations happening in the country, as well as stand up for equal rights.
“We’re just standing up and speaking out. We think it’s really important to speak out, and we hope it encourages other people to take a stand as well,” Westreich said.
The Educational Rally was scheduled to be a gathering in the Quad with signs, speakers, petitions, stickers, buttons and snacks. The protest was able to commence as planned, with the exception of moving into Spotts World Culture building.
“I really, really hope it’s not a one-on. I think this was really cool and I hope we can keep doing it to take action instead of staring at our phones on social media and posting infographic about taking action but not doing anything.”
Following the protest, guests huddled outside with signs and banners to march throughout the campus.
Westreich was joined by speakers as they told the crowd what they’re dealing with.
“Political apathy is really big right now, and we want people to really take a stand and care about what’s going on. We think it’s important to make a difference. I know you get kind of caught up with what’s going on with your own life and your classes, but it’s really important to pay attention to what’s going on in the world. When injustice is happening, stand up and fight, even when it makes you uncomfortable, even when it’s not easy,” Westreich said.
“The main reason we want to do it is so we can spread awareness of the injustice going on within our country. A lot of people are unaware of the actions that are put in place…so being able to inform people, you give them the opportunity to make something happen and fight for each other, and allow something that typically divides us to bring us to one,” Locante said.
The club is also currently doing a donation drive for the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.
“We’re collecting items from an urgent needs list. The shelter helps victims of domestic violence, so I think it’s a really great cause,” Westreich said.
On Nov. 12 the club will be hosting a Petition Pizza Pajama Party.
“It’s a night when we’ll watch a movie, we’ll sign petitions and really get active with causes. We have a list picked out and everything,” Westreich said.
Students can join the ERA Advocates club on CORE and find more information about upcoming events on Instagram at era.advocates.
