Hailey Alcathie reads from "Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler.
Troy University held their annual Women’s Literature Read-In on March 12 in honor of National Women’s History Month.
Sigma Tau Delta, Troy’s International English Honors Society, partnered with the English Department Forum to make this event possible.
Hailey Alcathie, a senior secondary education English language arts major from Daphne, Alabama, is the current president of the society.
“The read-ins are always one of my favorites to put on,” Alcathie said. “It's super fun to put on and is very special to me.
“My favorite part of literature is the places you can go with it. I have lived in the same area my whole life, so I feel like I get a very small perspective of the world.
When I read, I'm able to see different perspectives, different lifestyles, but I also see different places in what I read.”
Students and faculty gathered together to read and listen to diverse pieces of women’s literature in a relaxed setting.
During the read-in, Alcathie read the prologue of, “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler.
“[Butler] really speaks to me,” Alcathie said. “I feel like every time I read it, I pick up on a little something new every single time.
“At the end of the day, we are all readers, and we love English. I'm really happy everyone came out, and we had a really good time.”
Emma Arnold, a sophomore secondary English education major from Dothan, Alabama, is also a member of Sigma Tau Delta who came out to the event.
“I thought it went really well,” Arnold said. “There were a lot of different kinds of women’s literature, so it was an inclusive, all-encompassing space.
“I hope people have a better understanding and appreciation for literature itself because it’s not as popular as it should be.”
Arnold read a piece of literature entitled, “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver. She shared the one challenge she faced as she presented her piece of literature to the crowd.
“My heart was beating so fast,” Arnold said. “Speaking in front of people is a little difficult for me, but the space felt so welcoming, so that was really helpful.”
Despite the challenge of public speaking, Arnold got in front of the audience and read the poem because of her overwhelming love of women’s literature.
“I've always really enjoyed women's literature,” Arnold said. “I think it’s important to give women a platform to speak about their experiences.”
Emma Steverson, a senior secondary education English language arts major from Sylacauga, Alabama, is another member of Sigma Tau Delta.
“The atmosphere was very positive with people really wanting to share works and contribute to this little memorial for women,” Steverson said. “I think women bring such a unique and refreshing standpoint to literature.”
Steverson emphasized the significance of this event and why it’s important they hold it every year.
“It's very important to honor women this month because for so long women weren't honored,” Steverson said.
“It’s important to uplift women of all types, all colors and all races. We should keep the reminder that women are equal and celebrate that.”
Steverson read two pieces of literature at the read-in: “There Will Come Soft Rains" by Sara Teasdale and “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson.
“I'd say my favorite aspect of literature is the fact it can't be tied down,” Steverson said.
“In math or science, there’s one way to do a specific thing, and there’s a formula for this or that, but in literature, you can read anything, be anything and interpret anything.
For information on literature and future events, visit Sigma Tau Delta’s Instagram, @troysigmataudelta.