Ultimate Chivalry Week

Have you ever walked to your building, books in hand, only to find your face pressed up against glass as the door slams into your face?

Some Southeast Missouri State University men set out to make this a thing of the past. Catholic Campus Ministries Peer Evangelization Team held an event, entitled "Ultimate Chivalry Week" which took place from Sept. 11 - 17. According to John McLain, a Southeast sophomore and an organizer for the event, it was designed to share with students that humans are created and loved by God, and that women deserve respect.

"Women deserve more than the objectification that the Pink Pony (a local strip club) and Playboy magazine help to encourage in today's society. We're tired of seeing women walk around campus with a look of absolute worthlessness plastered on their faces. They were made beautiful, and they are beautiful. But they need to know it," McLain said.

Every day during the week-long event, men wore nice dress clothes and were available to open doors, pick up cafeteria trays and provide other acts of kindness. On Thursday, men wore suits, bringing an added awareness to their cause. Whatever kindness that was done during the week, the ultimate goal was to show that women deserve respect, McLain said.

Katherine Reischman, a Southeast senior, said she was appreciative of the Catholic Campus Ministries men's effort to show all women on campus that they deserve respect. The event shows men and women alike that all women deserve a certain level of respect year round, she said.

"All too often women act like doormats that can be walked all over and used. The men really conveyed the message that in order to get respect from others you must first respect yourself," Reischman said. "Dignity isn't something you earn, it's a right. No one should make you feel less than dignified."

Samantha Doherty, a Southeast sophomore, said that the acts of the men were good ways to express that women are worthy of dignity.

"The ways that women are treated and objectified cause some to lose hope in earning respect. Hopefully, the events served as an experience that both men and women can learn from, for women to respect themselves and help men to respect them, and for men to show love through their respect" Doherty said.

On Saturday, a special Chicken alfredo dinner was prepared and provided by the men for some of the women on campus. Freshly cut roses were placed upon tables in vases and Frank Sinatra lent his voice for a night of entertainment. 21 guests were in attendance at the dinner.

Erin Holmes, a Southeast freshman, said she was excited about Chivalry Week and the events that took place.

"I enjoyed finally being treated like a lady when I was around men. We all enjoyed ourselves. I also received my first rose, so that will always be special because that one rose represented all of the love that the men of CCM have for us ladies." Holmes said she also enjoyed the book that was handed out, "How to Find Your Soulmate Without Losing Your Soul" by Jason and Crystalina Evert.

Katie Stevens, a Southeast sophomore, said dinner attendees felt like queens.

"The best thing about chivalry week was the way that the guys touched the lives of girls across campus" Stevens said. "I hope the women on campus learned how they should expect to be treated by their significant other. God gave every person dignity and no other person has the right to take this away."

Kristin Kuhl, a Southeast senior, said she thought Chivalry Week was a beautiful way for women to know how much they are treasured.

"I am blessed to have amazing guys in my life who want to treat women with respect," she said. "I pray that more men can understand why others believe that women should be kept at a higher standard. Chivalry Week was a week full of hope that the world can be a better place, if we all just give a little effort."

John McLain said he also hopes that men and women will learn to have respect for one another.

"Ladies deserve our best. Not just our best dress, but more importantly, our best actions," he said. "Whatever you do, show women they deserve respect. If we can affirm their dignity with our actions, we can uphold the truth of their nature as daughters of God."

For more information about Catholic Campus Ministries and how you can become involved, contact Kristen Rainey at 573-335-3899 or visit the website at www.ccmin.org.