Taylor Bembery
Associate Editor
Students at Jackson State University continue to celebrate women through giving with a toiletry drive held during Women’s Emphasis Week 2014.
The drive, which began on March 24 and ends March 28, will benefit women in need. Sponsored in conjunction with the Student Government Association, students are urged to drop off donations that include: toilet paper, toothbrushes, diapers, soap, feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, conditioners, women’s underwear, deodorants, facial tissues, disposable razors, toothpaste, lotions, socks, laundry soap, dishwashing soap, stationary/envelopes, and batteries, in the Student Center from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
During donation hours, there is also a trivia game held that allows students to learn different facts about women’s health and history. Small tokens of appreciation are given away to people that donate and participate in the trivia game.
Shemekia Arterberry, a communicative disorders major from Jackson, Miss. who is on the Women’s Emphasis Week committee, said that it is important to give to the less fortunate and that students should know that it is not always about receiving because giving back to the community is rewarding within itself.
“There are a lot people that can’t afford those simple things. It’s very important for those ladies that can reach out and give to those who are in need. They need these essential things on a daily basis. It may be easier for us to access those things and not for them,” said Arterberry.
JSU students that contributed and participated in the trivia game shared some things they learned.
Ashlyn Pittman, a senior early childhood education major from Jackson, Miss., said she learned some facts about women that she didn’t know.
“The jeopardy trivia game was very informative. It educates women on what they need to know about their body,” said Pittman.
Lakeia Thurman, a senior English major from Greenwood, Miss., said the trivia game and drive helped her realize that the little things are appreciated.
”You never know what can happen as women; we could be in a similar position and need a helping hand. So if we can help someone, give what you can. They should have drives like this more often for anything because that’s the only way you can get students to start paying attention and take a moment out of their own lives and think about someone else,” said Thurman.
The donations from the drive will be taken to a local women’s shelter in Jackson. If you would like to join the group that will deliver these items, please send an email to missjsu2014@jsums.edu.
