Story by Zoë Smith | Translation by Victoria Escobedo
The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Fitness and Wellness Department presents their second Ladies Night at the Bar event, an event inspired by Women’s History Month to encourage and educate women on health and fitness.
Women’s History Month is celebrated annually in March to bring awareness and education of women across the United States. The university, along with many organizations, will be hosting various events to celebrate throughout the month of March.
The Ladies Night at the Bar event was on Wednesday March 6 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Dugan Wellness Center and was hosted by Islander Recreational Sports & Fitness, Outdoor Adventures, and Athletic Training. (More information about these organizations is available at I-Engage).
Ladies Night at the Bar first began with just a two hour period with “no boys allowed” in the weightroom. Now, it has flourished to an all-day event centered around women.
The reason that this event is so special is because oftentimes, many people may find the weightroom to be intimidating. The gym can seem intimidating from the outside, but events like these make it more approachable.
Katie Skora, Fitness and Wellness Coordinator at the Dugan Wellness Center and organizer of the Ladies Night at the Bar event, says that she wanted to create a safe and inviting space for all.
“… to feel comfortable in a space, you have to build community,” says Skora.
Skora’s goal and inspiration for creating Ladies Night at the Bar and other events like it was to provide a comfortable and inviting community for all. Providing a community on campus is important because it “makes the hardest things enjoyable,” says Skora.
“Ladies Night was created for those who don’t feel comfortable.” says Skora.
During the Ladies Night at the Bar event, you can learn about other clubs and organizations on campus that focus on empowerment and creating a safe space for women. Some of the clubs that were in collaboration with this event were Queen Beauty Club, Bodybuilding Club, Women in Computer Science, Islander Feminists, and so many more. The clubs had tables set up at the event to provide more information and encourage others to join.
“… providing resources makes others feel comfortable.” says Skora. Having resources such as school organizations, could help others feel more welcome and included.
This year, many on-campus organizations will be hosting events such as T-Shirt Tye-Dye, OMG Shoes Seminar, 5K Club Run, and so much more, throughout the day of the event. The Fitness and Wellness Department has hosted previous events on campus, such as Paint and Sip, which was an activity to welcome well-being and provide a space for everyone.
Ladies Night at the Bar is an event where all university women are encouraged to attend the two hours of “girls only” when the weightroom in the Dugan Wellness Center will be closed off to men and only available to women islanders.
The Ladies Night at the Bar event was dedicated to celebrating women through fitness and wellness, and overall providing courage to women.
Skora says this event “advocates to non-cookie cutter people.” to provide courage to the courageless.
The Fitness and Wellness Department will be hosting two more events before the end of the semester, a pep rally 5K on Saturday, April 13 and a Goat Yoga on April 24. To find more information about other events, visit I-Engage to stay up to date.