'Athena' Provides Women Social Scene

While Harvard's final clubs draw fire for their refusal to admit women, a social organization geared toward women is preparing for expansion as it enters its second semester.

Formed last March, the Athena Society provides "a place for women to meet other women whom they wouldn't meet in the normal course of the day," said Theresa A. Amato '86, a founder of the organization.

Unlike the all-male final clubs, however, the Athena Society has signed a non-discrimination agreement which leaves it open to both male and female membership.

"We are inclusive, meaning agressively non-exclusive," Jane E. Catler '86, the society's president, said. "They are not the women's answer to the final clubs," added Associate Dean of Radcliffe College Philippa Bovet, who advises all women's organizations at Radcliffe.

Both Catler and Amato said, however, that men who join should understand that the group is primarily a women's organization.

"It is designed for a specific purpose, to develop a sense of unity among women," Amato explained.

She added that, although most women's organizations are politically oriented. "I know a lot of women who would like to meet other women in a non-political atmosphere," one of the primary reasons for the society's formation.

"Radcliffe is a pretty big place, and there are all sorts of obstacles to any kind of community, to any kind of Radcliffe solidarity. The society seems like the best way to promote these feelings in cooperation with other groups on campus," Catler added.

Unlike the final clubs, Athena does not yet have a permanent headquarters. Members currently meet in various common rooms, private dining rooms and the Women's Center, but Amato said they will soon look for a permanent home.

Bovet has given the society the names of several Radcliffe alumnae interested in donating money to women's organizations, and the society has contacted these women, Amato said. Although a money drive has not yet begun, members plan to start soliciting funds this year, she added.

The society also hopes to create a sense of community between Radcliffe graduates and undergraduate women, Catler said.

In addition, upperclassmen have reached out to incoming Radcliffe women in an "adopt-a-freshman program," which this fall matched up 30 "little sisters" with upperclass group members.

Catler said that the group hopes to expand the society's interests beyond the social sphere by planning mealtime forums with speakers from the Institute of Politics and the Bunting Institute on women's issues.

The organizers' sole regret, they said, was the choice of the club's title. "No one else could think of any other name," Amato explained.