Students bike, walk 24 hours for women

Women's studies students will step on stationary bikes tomorrow at 9 a.m., determined to cycle for 24 hours straight. It's an exhausting feat, but they know it's attainable.

It's the second year students in McMaster's women's studies program will bike or walk for 24 hours to raise awareness of their program and women's issues in general. In January 2004, students Jim Jutte, Naomi Amaria and Kim Clarke accomplished the task, raising $500 to sponsor an academic journal about women in the media. They far surpassed their $50 goal to purchase a journal and kick-start a scholarship for a woman at risk.

These same students will continue the tradition on Wednesday in front of the fireplace in the McMaster University Student Centre. Jim Jutte, fourth-year German/women's studies and VP, McMaster Women's Studies Society (MWSS), will walk and ride for 24 hours. Supporting him will be Kim Clarke, third-year communications/women's studies and president of the MWSS, Lyndsay Pearson, fourth-year history/women's studies and secretary MWSS, and Kerene Nettel, first-year communications/women's studies and treasurer of MWSS.

They also will talk about their program and what people can do to assist others in the community. Their goal is to raise funds to continue to pay for a women's studies journal that focuses on women in the media.

The event begins at 9 a.m. and will continue until Jan. 6 at 9 a.m. Donations will be accepted at any point during this time or shortly after.

For more information on the McMaster Women's Studies program contact Kim Squissato at ext. 23112 or e-mail squissa@mcmaster.ca

For event information contact Jim Jutte at 905-690-2735 or e-mail juttejw@mcmaster.ca or Kim Clarke at lapislazuli20@yahoo.com