The Women’s Rights Alliance hosted a movie night and discussion on some of the unique issues affecting women of color Monday.

The Women’s Rights Alliance, which is a campus organization that attempts to spread awareness and empower women, watched “For Colored Girls Who Have
Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf,” a film based on a book with the same title that deals with some of the challenges minority women face.

“Women of color have to deal with both race and gender issues,” said Rebekah Kohli, program coordinator for the women’s studies program. “Women in general have to deal with being viewed as sex objects as well.”

Along with special issues that affect minorities, the event also focused on universal problems such as rape, sexism and domestic abuse.

“Sexual violence is still a huge issue right now,” Kohli said.

The film screening was the first this semester, with more expected to take place in the spring, Kohli said.

The Women’s Rights Alliance, founded more than 25 years ago, also holds self defense classes, needle crafting events and sexual health seminars for women on campus.

One student said the group is successful at empowering women at NIU.

“[WRA] are like peer educators trying to spread awareness on feminist issues,” said Nicole Berns, junior elemenetary education major.

Diversity in the Women’s Rights Alliance organization was another topic discussed after the screening.

Some members of the organization said the group would benefit from a more diverse membership; however, that is a goal that has become difficult to achieve this semester, members said.

“It’s been really difficult [to attract more minorities],” Kohli said. “We are trying to work with other organizations on campus to sponsor events together,” Kohli said.

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