The Women in Leadership (WIL) club is a student-led organization regarding women in leadership positions. They are open to any major and host many speakers and events revolving around women in the workforce and how they impact society as a leader.

Women in Leadership was founded one year ago when President Lillian Beck saw an issue arise at Oregon State University (OSU).

“I never saw being a woman as any sort of barrier.” Beck states. “When college came, I saw that there were some cultural barriers and things along those lines about women succeeding in college and in the workforce. And I always just felt like that was wrong, but I never really felt like there was anything I could do about it.”

Sandy Neubaum, the Director of Student Engagement, and Beck discussed the need for a club like Women in Leadership to be at OSU. After research and discussion, Women in Leadership is now an all-inclusive club to discuss topics regarding success as a woman in college and in the workforce, bringing speakers from all around to discuss these topics.

Tate McWhorter, a member of Women in Leadership, said that he feels comfortable talking about topics regarding women that aren’t usually mentioned. “WIL impacts me by teaching me how to take charge of my life and become a better leader. I think that it impacts the community by being a resource for women and really just everyone in the community that there is this support line of people who have your back and want to help you succeed and become and better person and leader.”

Beck said that the Women in Leadership club provides a community for all students on campus to discuss topics regarding women that otherwise might be frowned upon. “It specializes the issues that we might have to face and it prepares you for that when you graduate from Oregon State, you feel like you’re ready,” Beck said.

People can join Women in Leadership club by logging on to the Oregon State University website at https://business.oregonstate.edu/womensleadership. Women in Leadership meetings are hosted on Thursdays from 6:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m. Networking takes place right after the meeting on Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There next big event is on Jan. 24, celebrating their one year birthday party where people are able to chat with members and become apart of the community.

“A lot of women are capable of leading,” Emma Nelson, a freshman at OSU considering to join WIL said. “They just don’t know it yet.”