Seniors Ericka Jackson, Jasmin Stewart, Jenee Duncan and Shante “Fenique” King were inspired following last month’s racial graffiti incident outside of Hatch Hall and last year’s cotton ball incident.

“After that happened, me and these ladies were like, ‘Enough is enough. We need to unite a certain population on this campus,’” Stewart said. “We decided to make it the women. We all are women, and we all go through the same issues, so we thought, ‘Why don’t we find that commonality and stick together and find a way to uplift and support each other.’”

Thus, ‘A Woman Inspired’ was born.

“The reason why ‘A Woman Inspired’ is starting is because of some of the things that have been going on around campus,” said Stewart, who serves as president of the group. “Mizzou is a great place and we have a great culture, great traditions and a great history. But in that history, there are some racial things that have been going on.”

In the midst of Women’s History Month, the women held their first meeting Wednesday. About 15 participants showed up to the meeting, but they were encouraged to spread the word about the organization. The group’s Facebook page shows more than 130 members interested in the organization.

“Like all of our events and workshops that we’re going to have on campus, everything is going to be open to all women,” Duncan said. “If you have friends who want to come in and see what’s going on, please invite them.”

A major goal of the new organization is to allow an outlet for the women involved to foster their academic and personal goals. But these women want to inspire not only college-aged women, but high school-aged women as well.

“If you work with this committee, you can work with seniors and juniors in the Columbia high schools,” Stewart said. “You would work one-on-one with them, helping them with things like financial aid, personal statements and ways to further their education. We want to help them so they are able to continue on with their education.”

The group will also bring in women they hope will motivate its members, such as successful businesswomen.

“We’ve found that there are a lack of accessible women who are successful in their area of expertise,” Stewart said.

The group’s programming will begin in April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Its first program is April 13 and is a part of the “I Am” segment. There, the women will discuss intimate relationships and domestic violence on campus.

“Anything that you’d like to see us do – don’t be shy,” Jackson said. “Anything that you’re dealing with – we’re here to be a resource for you on campus.”