During Katrina Gainey’s freshman year she was in “numerous organizations,” and none of them met her expectations. Gainey said she wanted to create an organization that empowers women and “embraces the diversity” on Winthrop University’s campus.
Ashleigh Scipio, junior and vice president of Ladies Achieving Diversity, Independence, Empowerment and Success said, “making this organization with the current President and Secretary was one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
Scipio said that working on creating this organization — which was new and focused on empowering women — helped her with skills of her own, such as networking and engaging with other people of diverse backgrounds. The skills Scipio acquired from L.A.D.I.E.S. has shaped her into a better leader overall. Scipio says the members she has met from the organization will be a part of her life for a very long time.
Gainey (who serves as president of the organization) wants all members to feel important and welcome. “I want everyone to feel welcome, no matter how they identify,” Gainey said.
Treasurer Kyla Cloud said that being a part of L.A.D.I.E.S. opened her eyes to how powerful young women are.
“I feel like joining L.A.D.I.E.S. is one of the best things I have done since I have come to Winthrop,” Cloud said.
Senior Nate Knight said that as a former parliamentarian he believes the organization is a great way for women to connect and “feel empowered” in a world that doesn’t always keep women’s best interests at heart.
There are a number of responsibilities that come along with running an organization, and Gainey is well aware of these. She said that one responsibility is keeping the members of the organization engaged and making them feel welcome.
“I want my members to feel like they belong,” Gainey said. “I tend to put a lot on myself, but with the help of my amazing executive members, managing L.A.D.I.E.S. has been fairly easy.”
Junior Angela Fanning said “the organization gave me strength, connections, and confidence.”
“I love that everyone accepts everyone no matter how they identify,” Gainey said. “We can talk to each other about our problems.”
For those interested in joining the organization, the next mass meeting of L.A.D.I.E.S. is Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. in Owens 103.
Photo courtesy of Katrina Gainey
