This March, six Washburn University students will travel to New York and have the privilege of attending the UN’s 61st annual Commission on the Status of Women.

The UNCSW experience at Washburn includes a three credit hour course, WG 399, where students learn about the UNCSW and its history followed by the week long trip. This Washburn Transformational Experience (WTE) eligible trip will take place the week before spring break.

Sharon Sullivan, theatre professor at Washburn, has attended UNCSW for the past five years. Three years ago, she began taking Washburn students who share a passion for women’s rights around the world.

According to the UNCSW website, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Maci Hagelgantz, senior political science major, went on this trip in 2015. She says that it was amazing to see so many individuals from around the world come together for a common cause.

The trip is open to any Washburn student that meets the instructor’s approval. The six students that are attending this year come from all different majors. These include, political science, mass media, anthropology, radiologic technology, elementary education, and social work.

Baylee Wells, a senior elementary education major, says she is going on this trip because she is passionate about gender equality and empowering women.

“I hope to expand my knowledge base and grow as a person and advocate during this trip,” Wells said.

Damian Barron, senior Anthropology major is also attending UNCSW. He said his major and his Women’s and Gender Studies minor at Washburn have given him a wealth of knowledge about the marginalization of women.

“During this trip, I hope to express my passion for women through my willingness to reconcile the failures of my gender by more than an apology, but a desire to create change,” Barron said.