From cupcakes to diplomas: Students aid women’s education

Junior Nicole Roderman was in somewhat of a "sophomore slump" last year. She wanted to be more active in her community, but wasn't sure where to begin.

   It was around this time that she saw a local news segment, which proved to be the catalyst for her efforts. Combined with inspiration from Professor Peter-Raoul, her instructor for World Views and Values, Roderman had found her project.

   She's the First is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting women in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia get an education. The organization, which now has branches at multiple colleges, has a dual aim of raising money and awareness. 

   Roderman brought STF to Marist on her own accord, and began her efforts with a cupcake sale.

   The sale took place on Nov. 4 in the Champagnat Breezeway, and raised a total of $460, exceeding the initial goal by $160. Cupcake batter was donated by Naturally Nora's, and a total of 200 cupcakes were sold. The list price was 75 cents per cupcake, but some students paid extra and considered it a donation.

   Roderman said the booth attracted attention and donations from passersby ranging from students, to professors and even parents that were on campus tours.

   Jill Muller, treasurer of Teachers of Tomorrow, baked and sold cupcakes for the sale.

   "The word got out there from our club members, signs and Facebook. We got a lot of friends and family members to support us, but the foot traffic was really what made it a success," Muller said in an email.

   But direct participation has been limited to a small number of students so far.

   "It's been hard to get people on board with it," Roderman said.

   So far, she has branched out to Teachers of Tomorrow, and has garnered some support from students, but she still wants the on-campus effort to grow – ideally into a recognized club.

   Roderman has shown "Waiting for Superman," a documentary about charter schools, and intends to hold other awareness-aimed events, again with the goal of increased participation.

   She admitted that one aspect of the organization's policy has received some questioning. One professor questioned the gender disparity, asking if there is such a thing as He's the First. Why prioritize only the education of one gender?

   Roderman understood the professor's point of contention.

   "Everyone needs an education," she said.

   Her best explanation for the gender issue was the statistical support. Women represent 70 percent of the global population of uneducated individuals according to http://shesthefirst.org/. Roderman also pointed to the benefits of educating women, such as better awareness of AIDS and sexually transmitted infections.

   The organization's website addresses the same question by stating that STF is active in nations where "education for boys has been prioritized over that of girls."

   But Roderman prefers to avoid the political implications of the issue. She described it as "more of an educational movement than a feminist movement." As a matter of fact, she encourages more men to get involved on campus, considering the female-dominated ratio of Teachers of Tomorrow.

   "I feel really strongly about education. I feel it's taken for granted," she said.