"Many girls probably don't see this side of men"

        An all-male student organization held an event on Wednesday, April 27 to show women that its members appreciate them and their contributions to society.

        Students of African American Brotherhood hosted its third annual Women’s Appreciation event, which lasted for two hours. The evening consisted of food, door prizes, cupcakes, a speaker and entertainment.

        The purpose of the event was for women to spend an evening relaxing and be shown they are appreciated in the community, said Daron Stallworth, president of Students of African American Brotherhood.

        “The event is important because many times, especially with how society is now, sometimes men don’t always let women know that they are appreciated for everything they do. That is the purpose of Women’s Appreciation, just to let women know we appreciate them for everything they do not just for the community and who they are but even things they do for us that we may not realize,” Stallworth said.

        Members of the student organization served as escorts throughout the night, walking guests to their chairs, serving them drinks, either tea, water or lemonade and serving the meal.

        While the event was held at the University of Oklahoma, women from nearby universities were also invited to attend.

        Skye Hammond, public relations junior at Oklahoma Christian University, said the event provided a great environment, adding it was definitely worth the drive and cost of gas from Edmond, and saying that she felt like a princess when the escorts walked her in and then would not let any of the women lift a finger.

        “This might be kind of silly, but I loved the giggles and smiles on the girls’ faces when they were escorted in and their chairs were pulled back for them. That’s definitely not an everyday occurrence,” Hammond said.

        Summer Randall, accounting sophomore, called the event lovely and said it was improved from last year’s, adding that the men of the student organization created a great atmosphere for the women.

        Also, Randall appreciated the initiative the men took to host the event.

        “I think it is so commendable that the men at this university take the time once a year to acknowledge us and appreciate women which a lot of times are not always treated the way they should be by college men,” Randall said.

        For the meal, members of the student organization served salad, bread and their choice of chicken Alfredo or lasagna. For dessert, there were chocolate, strawberry, lemon and vanilla cupcakes from Cookies & Cards, a Campus Corner favorite.

        Jennifer Cox from the Women’s Outreach Center led a discussion about domestic violence and ways to overcome it.

        Each woman in attendance received a raffle ticket, and the tickets were drawn in order to determine the winners of the door prizes.

        At the end of the event, the men of the student organization offered three-minute neck and shoulder massages to the women.

        While the organization planned for 60 women, close to a hundred attended the event, Stallworth said.

        Keyonte Leggins, University College freshman, said the event gave women an opportunity to see men in a different light.

        “Many girls probably don’t see this side of men, so it may open their horizons…they might come here and change their perspective and see that dudes, they aren’t all the same,” Leggins said.

        The student organization’s effort was co-sponsored by the Student Alumni Association, Student Affairs and the President’s Office for this year’s event, and Stallworth said the sponsorships allowed the men’s group to purchase better food, door prizes and decorations.

        While the student organization that held the event is aimed toward African Americans, the night was intended to show appreciation for all women, Stallworth said.

        For Hammond, this was an appealing aspect of the evening.

       “Being an African American, it was especially touching to see chocolate guys showing love and appreciation to women of all races. I could definitely tell they put a lot of thought and effort into the event,” Hammond said. “I appreciate them for appreciating us.”

Info Box

Door prizes given to guests attending the Women’s Appreciation event included:

• hand soap
• chocolates
• body lotion
• towel set
• make-up brushes
• make-up mirror
• shower rack
• showerhead

Story By: Chelsey Kraft

Two female students enter the Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center for Women's Appreciation Night. The event was hosted by the African American Brotherhood organization to show appreciation for women.
PHOTO: Courtney Goforth

Taylor Jackson, entrepreneurship and marketing sophomore, and Trey McCarrell, broadcast and electronic media sophomore, wait at the window for plates of lasagna and chicken Alfredo to serve women guests. The Students of African American Brotherhood organization hosted its third annual Women's Appreciation event, where they served the women food and entertained them throughout the event.
PHOTO: COURTNEY GOFORTH