Student-Led Women’s Council Working Toward Campus Changes

by Greg Abazorius
a group of women

As more women continue to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, management and design, they are increasingly attending schools like Wentworth Institute of Technology to help prepare them for those careers.

After years of a mostly male student body, though, Wentworth leadership and newly formed groups like the Women’s Council are working hard to make sure that the university is catching up, being more inclusive and accommodating to all genders.

Formed in 2018 by the Center for Diversity and Social Justice Programs, the student-run Women’s Council aims “to provide and support the academic, social and professional success of self-identified women at Wentworth.”

“We want people to know we’re here and that we are trying to make a positive change and to shift the (male-female) ratio even more,” said Women’s Council Chair Brook Ensby, Interior Design ’21.

Unlike clubs geared solely toward the student life experience, the Council engages directly with university leaders to create initiatives that could impact the classroom and lab spaces, as well as look toward addressing social problems on campus, and infrastructure issues including increasing restrooms on campus, creating designated meeting spaces and refurbishing other facilities. Council members also work closely with the CO-OPS + CAREERS office to seek opportunities and career support for women.

The group joins others on campus dedicated to the experience of Wentworth women:

Ensby relates that she has noticed “tremendous growth” in herself and other members since the Women’s Council inception.

“It’s given me an outlet to help females on campus, something I am quite grateful for,” she said.

A heightened social awareness on a global scale over the last year has also brought about more interest in the Council’s mission, Ensby believes.

“One thing that I have been seeing recently—and love—is more females my age speaking out about women's rights,” she said, citing social media as a powerful way to spread information. “I think for the short term, we can all learn more. Educating yourself on a certain topic can help you when trying to solve it.”

Follow the Women's Council on Instagram. For more information or to apply, please contact Ricky Meinke, assistant director for the Center for Diversity and Social Justice Programs, at meinker@wit.edu.