As students of Oshkosh North get more involved in social change, ONHS clubs have evolved to accommodate them. Clubs like the Feminist Student Union (FSU) have formed throughout the past few years, giving students a platform to express their voice and become engaged with diverse perspectives. 

Faculty adviser Elizabeth Ostler provided some insight into the Feminist Student Union and what the club really stands for.

“We are an activist group that’s dedicated to challenging sexism, racism, classism, and other forms of oppression.” said Ostler

The goal of the FSU is to not only unify the school, but also to provide a safe space for anyone who needs it. The FSU prioritizes diversity, equality, and challenging all different kinds of oppression within our school.

“We have people that come in that definitely feel that maybe they could potentially belong in another space, in another club, but they have other parts of their identity that are maybe not accepted in another club, or not acknowledged.” said Ostler

The club formed just under two years ago, under the advisement of former English teacher Mady Warren, and has since been passed to Ostler. Since Ostler had been interested since the beginning and offered help the second it formed under Warren, she was the natural choice when it came to passing on the club.

“So when (Warren) found out that she was actually going to move somewhere else, she messaged me and was like ‘Do you want the club?’ and I said ‘Yes, I do want the club, I’d love the club!’” said Ostler

Even though the FSU only began last year, they have already found a partner in the Christine Anne Center and plan to work with the Oshkosh Women’s Fund as well. The board members of the FSU hope to run a feminine products drive in the future, as well as continuing to work with the Christine Anne Center, and engaging in school activities.

“One thing that we wanted to do was, and we potentially will still do this before this school year’s over, is a feminine products drive, whether it be for kids at north or for the Christine Anne Center specifically in partnering with them.” said Ostler

Anyone can join the FSU. It doesn’t matter your gender, grade, or anything else as long as you want to be a part of the club. The club typically meets once a month, but members aren’t required to go to every meeting. 

“We have boy members, we have different gender members, we have all-inclusivity of anybody that wants to come and feel like they’re in a safe space: a safe place.” said Ostler

The process of joining the FSU is very simple, and there are multiple ways to do it. The most straightforward way would be to email Ostler and let her know that you’re interested, but another way would be to keep an eye out for excel sessions and sign up for one whenever you can.

“If you are interested in joining, email Ostler and say ‘I’m interested in joining’ and to join there’s nothing specific that you have to do. Sign up for the excel, I don’t limit it! And if you see it, sign up, come, and then we’ll sign you up when you come here!” says Ostler.