Members of Women’s Awakening, a new organization for nontraditional female students, want to teach others about the difficulties of balancing family, school and work.

The inspiration for the organization came about at the Margaret Sloss House dining room table. Amy Mullica, junior in management; Cherene Jordan, senior in child and family services; and Morgan Leu, junior in history, met while sitting in the house between

classes.

The three women, who realized they had a common difficulty balancing school, family and work, discovered their informal meetings in the kitchen at the Women’s Center were a source of encouragement.

Believing other ISU students had similar frustrations, they decided to create a “supportive network for women achieving a balance between higher education and family.”

Ultimately, the founders of the organization want it to be a resource for all female students.

The three have many plans for the club after they receive funding. Their first goal is to get the word out in the ISU community. Eventually, the women want to plan seminars, workshops and speakers on a wide range of topics – from simple home repairs to stress management, nutrition and exercise to car maintenance. They would also like to have a book club.

The three founders come from three very different backgrounds and situations.

Mullica entered the work force after high school.

“I liked the jobs I had, but I really missed working in a greenhouse,” she said. “I kept thinking about how much I loved being in my grandparents’ greenhouse.”

Mullica reminisced about those childhood adventures, recalling the sensations of that environment – the smell of the plants, the feel of the black dirt – most vividly. Those sensations were instrumental in her journey to Iowa State.

“I knew I would need a higher education to attain my goal of having my own greenhouse business,” she said.

Now a junior in business management with a minor in horticulture, Mullica wants to help other women achieve their goals.

“One of the biggest problems at Iowa State is quality day care,” she said. “It’s hard to take evening and summer classes for that very reason.”

Jordan, a single mother, wants to be a marriage and family therapist.

“I’m excited about our new club because it offers services that other clubs on campus don’t,” she said. “We have a women’s support group, a baby-sitting co-op and an exercise program. Healthy minds plus healthy bodies equals healthy spirits.”

Leu, also a mother, said running a single-parent household opened her eyes to the struggles of women.

“I am excited about this group because of the friendly support network it provides women in all areas of life,” Leu said. “Its flexibility allows those who are part of the group to have a say in what goes on.”

Leu said she is excited about the organization’s future.

“The club is designed to meet the needs of its members,” she said. “I hope the club accomplishes a feeling of foundation and a place where people can go to receive support and a smile.”

The organization’s name comes from a book by Kate Chopin, “The Awakening.” Edna, the book’s main character, wants to experience life to the fullest, without constraint. She does not want to harm her children while seeking her own personal fulfillment, however.

The group has scheduled an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 at the Sloss House.