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The GW Hatchet

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Officials name senior vice president, chief of staff
By Fiona Riley, Assistant News Editor • March 26, 2024

Letters to the Editor

Don’t judge women by Halloween costumes

As a GW student, a feminist and a future leader of America, I must respond to Melanie Hoffman’s criticism of GW women’s Halloween costumes (“What would your father say?” Oct. 30, p. 1).

Her column is written from a place of expertise about feminism and how women should behave. But it leaves out two incredibly important aspects of feminism – sexual liberation and choice.

Believe it or not, GW women know exactly what we’re doing when we don our corsets and fishnets once a year. We are intelligent, liberated women who are in touch with our sexuality. And more importantly, we have the right to choose the way we dress and behave. It does not mean that we accept objectification by men – or by other women, who also objectify us by judging us by our wardrobe instead of our character.

I do not think this behavior is unacceptable for the accomplished, educated women of our school. We are the future leaders of America 364 days out of the year. We are making the dean’s list, volunteering on campaigns, taking the LSATs and scoring prestigious internships. Why should we deny ourselves one night a year to leave behind our high-stress academic and professional lifestyles and just have fun?

Oh, and as far as “what would my father say?” Well, Ms. Hoffman is correct in wondering “what has the struggle for women’s rights been worth?” Indeed, what has that struggle accomplished if women can’t even choose an outfit without their father’s approval?

Samantha Dercher, Junior

Comparing recruitment numbers does not matter

I would like to comment on the Oct. 30 article in The Hatchet regarding Chi Omega at GW (“Chi Omega recruits 119 new members in its return to GW,” p. 2).

I am a GW alumna, class of ’71. I was also the treasurer of the Phi Alpha chapter of Chi Omega when it went inactive in the late 1960s. I was also a strong proponent of its return this year.

First, Chi Omega is not a new sorority at GW. It had a presence on campus for a number of years before it went inactive. The same is true of Pi Beta Phi.

Second, I am not sure why the article’s author chose to compare the recent recruitment figures for the two sororities. To me, it really has no relevance. The existence and development of sororities on any campus is really not a competitive sport. It is affected by a number of internal and external factors. Both Chi-O and Pi Phi are quality Greek-letter organizations. Both offer their members positive, life-altering experiences.

I would hate to see this comparison of numbers pit one Greek-letter organization against another, because they both are so worthwhile. Each sorority brings a special orientation and perspective to the GW campus. Recruitment and bid numbers are just that – numbers.

Claire Jarvis, Alumna

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