The P.I.N.K. Women’s Club, standing for Powerful, Independent, Notoriously and Knowledgeable, has provided inclusive spaces for multicultural women across the University of Rhode Island campus.
Founded in 2006, the club was created as a place for multicultural women on campus to have a space where they felt included. To achieve this, the club holds events on campus for all, from mental health talks to water balloon fights.
The club boasts many annual events, such as the Unsung Hero Awards, according to P.I.N.K. Women’s Club President Nyasia Dogans. The awards are given to women on campus who have had a positive impact on members of the club. Anyone in the club is allowed to nominate any woman on campus, and it has become a yearly staple for the club.
Another event that is very popular is their Splash a P.I.N.K. Sister event. This is a fundraiser for the club, which invites individuals to come and throw water balloons at different members of the executive board.
During Homecoming Week, P.I.N.K. created Rhody gameday t-shirts. Partnered with their own tailgate, the event generated excitement and pride under the P.I.N.K. name.
“I feel like our organization on campus provides a safe space for everyone regardless of where you come from,” Dogans said. “We’re very welcoming to everyone.”
In a time of life where struggles can be internalized, the club allows for students to express themselves and see that people are often struggling similarly, according to Dogans.
“It’s a place where you can be yourself and realize that your struggles aren’t personal struggles,” Dogans said. “Everyone in college is going through them, so it’s a way to get your mind off the stress of college.”
While the club is oriented towards multicultural women, P.I.N.K. supports whoever they can to make a difference, according to Dogans.
“We’re here for everybody on campus,” Dogans said. “We would like to continue making an impact on campus. We’re able to make sure that the campus stays lively and keeps pushing for everyone.”
The next big event for the club is P.I.N.K. Week, spanning from April 6-10. Each day of the week features a different event, centered around women’s empowerment.
Starting the week is Roses and Resources, an event that will feature candle making. On Tuesday, there will be Kicking It with P.I.N.K, a self-defense workshop. Wednesday involves creating airbrush t-shirts for the end-of-week event, with a volleyball tournament later in the evening. Following is P.I.N.K. Scholars Night on Thursday, which celebrates current sisters and alumni, bolstering the academic events the club holds on campus.
The week’s finale is the PINKnic on Friday, a field-day style event featuring food, bouncy houses and field games. Additionally, throughout the week, attendees at each event will receive gifts from the club.
To get involved, Dogans urges individuals to come to the Wednesday meetings each week to see what P.I.N.K. is all about and if they want to continue with the club. By going to a meeting, you can sign up for the club’s email list to receive information on how to become a part of P.I.N.K.
