On Friday, the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center will host the first Feminist Friday, a new initiative to facilitate conversations on topics related to gender equity at the university.

This event will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m in the Sloss House and is addressing the question “Are you a feminist or a womanist?” This discussion will allow attendees to engage in a discussion about the essentials of feminism, who it applies to and who it doesn’t.

Feminist Friday will feature two speakers. Dr. Shaneda Destine, lecturer of sociology and affiliate faculty member in women’s studies and African American studies.

She received her Ph.D at Howard University in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology with a concentration in social inequality and medical sociology.

Shaina Destine, current resident in the Iowa State Library Residency Program, will also be speaking at this event.

Shaina Destine has a master of library and information science degree from the University of Maryland and worked as a graduate coordinator for LGBTQ student involvement and advocacy while attending.

The goal of this initiative is to invite people to critically engage in discussions, current events and pop culture from a feminist perspective. In the future, faculty from across the campus will be invited to spend an hour to help the conversation.