Hiya my name is Mariah, and I am a first-year Global studies student, Sub Zero employee, and I am also your current SU Staff Rep within our SU Council. I am running to become your Women’s Officer because I have been inspired by and am in awe of the fantastic work done by the Women’s Officer this year, and I believe I have the passion and desire to continue her work. I also think that as someone who has often been referred to as welcoming and friendly, I can be someone all women can feel comfortable talking to. My main goal if elected as your Women’s Officer is to be the voice of, encourage, and support, all women on campus. I have many ideas to create an even better community for women on campus.  

• Safety - The incredible work done by the current Women’s Officer has made every woman’s voice feel heard, but this is just the start. There are so many different things that women need to feel protected and safe while on and off campus. So, I want to continue the safety project that started this year and be the voice for all women who feel scared while at Uni. I want to work closely with the university, the Sabbs, and hopefully Essex Council to protect all women on campus; this includes women student staff and Transgender women, as well as women of other marginalized groups. It is vital that action is taken to keep women safe, and I believe that I have the voice to stand up for all of you. 

• Wellbeing Wednesday - I believe that it is essential for the Women’s officer to be accessible and available, which is why I want to introduce “Wellbeing Wednesday”, where I would sit somewhere open on campus to allow anyone to come and talk with me. Whether it be just to have a catch-up, give ideas, or seek advice. I think that by having this weekly opportunity, we can improve our sense of community. 

• Socials – Given the size of the Women’s community, we need to have more events catered just for us. This would allow women to have a place where we can connect, feel safe, and have fun, all at the same time. That is why I want to help create events that allow women to feel interconnected, whether that is through painting, dancing, or whatever the community needs.  

• Intersectionality - Although social events catered to women are essential, I believe that working with other officers within the SU Council will allow people from various backgrounds to feel more included as well as create a bigger, connected sense of community. I want to try and create events such as a Women of Colour mixer, LGBTQ+ Women mixer, or Mature Women events. 

• Women’s groups on Campus - I want to work with groups such as the Feminist Society, Women in STEM, and the Wellbeing Ambassadors, who already do so much to encourage and support all women. By working with these groups, I hope to see a wider perspective of the specific issues and unique ideas represented within these groups. I want to try and make events catered to these groups as well, such as “The International Day of Women and Girls in Science” or working with the Wellbeing ambassadors during ‘SHAG’ (sexual health and guidance) week to unite the women's community on campus.