WOMEN MATTER

Women Matter is an organization which began in 2006.  It was started by Sade Dixon and Arteena Tate, 2 college freshman at St. Peter’s College in Jersey City NJ. Both Sade and Arteena noticed that the young women who attended their college were in need of a little guidance.  College was a big transition for most, but especially those who stayed on campus. It was evident that some young women were venerable and settable to almost anything. Sade and Arteena wanted to help anyone who was willing to listen. They knew how hard it would be to gather a group a females and have a decent conversation, but they were up for the challenge. These 2 dedicated young women were determined to be heard.

The first meeting was held in a study room located in the basement of their dormitory. The girls knew they needed bait to rail in an audience, so they offered free home cooked food to all those who attended the meeting. Good food was hard to come by in and around their college, so they knew that it would grab some people’s attention, and it did. It wasn’t clear weather people were hungry for food or knowledge but the Women Matter Organization made sure they fed the stomach and brain of all those who attended. Sade and Arteena provided free pamphlets and condoms which they obtained from the free clinic around the corner from their school. They knew they were taking a risk by providing sexual information and condoms in a Jesuit community, but they were willing to do whatever it took to help females realize their worth. Their defiance to the Jesuit morals proved that these young women had a vision and were very ambitious about their mission. The first meeting turned out better then they would have ever expected. Seven young women attended and shared their stories. One girl told a story about her boyfriend and what she endured in her relationship and at that moment Sade knew that she wanted the mission to evolve into something beyond one meeting. After two hours of addressing some issues that women face on a daily bases, the girls adjourned the meeting and immediately started to plan bigger and better things for the Women Matter Organization.

Sade spent a month trying to find resources and topics to discuss at the next meeting. Arteena came up with an idea to perform skits at the meetings. The skits give visualization and bring real life issues to a small setting, which allows us to see more closely what we as women may be doing wrong. The second meeting was a huge success. Both Sade and Arteena decided to invite both men and women to join in the discussion and it turned out to be an experience people still talk about today. The men were very insightful about how they viewed certain aspects of women and it deemed to be very helpful for the women to hear the input of a man. Home cooked food was also served at the second meeting, which made it more of a relaxed and comfortable environment. The skits and home cooked food has become the signature of the Woman Matter organization, however those who have attended a meeting know that there is much more to gain from the Women Matter experience.

The organization has had 2 meetings in 2007, both were very successful. The last meeting was sponsored by a women’s organization called F.O.C.U.S (Females Organization of Campus Unity and Solidarity).  Sade has recently relocated to Raleigh NC, but is more determined then ever to see this organization blossom. Sade believes that women every where should indulge in the journey towards empowerment. Her goal is to start different chapters in different areas to provide nationwide awareness of the Women Matter Experience. As of now there is only one chapter active which is in Raleigh NC. Chapters in various colleges in NJ will be active in mid 2008.

If you are interested in starting a chapter in your area or school please refer to the “Super Women” section.

WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS TO JOIN US IN OUR MISSION TO EMBARK ON THE JOURNEY TOWARS ENPOWERMENT. PLEASE VIST OUR "Super Women" PAGE.