Penn State Words Presents: “Speak Like A Girl!”

A sure-to-be-groundbreaking campus performance is happening this October, and it’s all thanks to the Penn State W.O.R.D.S. club.

Penn State W.O.R.D.S. is a group of “writers organized to represent diverse stories” (hence, “WORDS”). They are made up of students who strive to promote self-expression, and share their personal experiences and stories through creative writing and slam poetry. These poems are often eye opening, shedding light on worldwide under-represented groups and events.

Later this month the group is hosting “Speak Like A Girl; A Spoken Word Poetry Tour”, which is a movement that challenges common gender roles and stigmas, and questions the meaning of “masculinity”.

Two feminist slam/spoken word poets, Megan Falley and Olivia Gatwood, will lead the performance. The girls will represent the female community as they perform slam poetry that helps us define what it really means to do something “like a girl”.

Valley had the chance to speak with Penn State W.O.R.D.S earlier this week and exchange thoughts about the performance. “Everyone has a story. That’s what Penn State W.O.R.D.S. is. These girls are bringing a story that isn’t commonly told on campus, but really should be,” says Davon Clark, Junior education major and president of W.O.R.D.S.

When asked how this event will help shape the club and Penn State as a whole, Clark says “Given recent events with Penn State, especially with sexual assault, it’s going to be really great to see females represented in an equal light. It will definitely help us all think outside the box.” He encourages every student to attend, saying, “It’s going to be a lot of fun! Plus, it’s free!”

The performance is set to happen on Monday, October 19 at 8:00 p.m. in 102 Forum Building; A perfect time to find out exactly what it means to “speak like a girl”.