By Kendalyn Johnson

Meghan Wilcox, 22-year-old Feminist Leadership Alliance (FMLA) member, believes that women need to be treated equally.

Wilcox is from New Jersey and came to KU as an undeclared major. At first, she looked into psychology thinking she would follow in her sister’s footsteps. After taking a few psychology courses, she realized she did not like it as much as she thought she would.

She was fearful because she thought she knew her path, but this obstacle did not stop her from finding another major and direction to put her passion toward.

Wilcox spent most of her time focused on school work before she got involved in school activities. She had no idea what to do with her spare time and mainly hung out with friends or exercised at the recreational center when she had the opportunity.

She later joined an academic fraternity that was for both men and women and declared her major in communication studies.

The moment that changed her perspective was when she decided to take a women’s studies class. She learned more about the discrimination that women face on a daily basis and became passionate about being a feminist. She wanted people to believe that women are just as powerful as men.

“I believe it is important to recognize the inequality and injustice that is in the world. I believe that every person should be equal, regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation etc.,” said Wilcox. “It’s important that we constantly educate ourselves because we have a tendency to see the world from just our own perspective.”

She was enthusiastic about making KU a place of equality, so she became involved in FMLA in her junior year.

After attending many meetings, she decided to become even more involved and became the public relations representative for the group. This position leaves her responsible for maintaining their social media profiles.

In addition to maintaining social media sites, she created Feminist Fridays at FMLA. This is an event that she personally hosts every Friday at 2 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and relax, watch movies and play board games.

Her goal in starting this event and becoming a part of FMLA was to spread the awareness of the club and to encourage everyone to get together. She emphasizes that the event and club are open to those of all gender identifications.

“Being a feminist has given me insight on how being a woman affects me and I feel that my gender should not give people the right to think less of me,” said Wilcox.

She hopes that more people will support feminism and do small things to change how society sees women.