Dozens of CMU students, male and female, left the University Center last Thursday sporting manicures and freshly-painted nails, thanks to the CMU Association of Feminists, who hosted the event, MANicures for Violence Awareness.

At a single table near the north doors of the UC, members of the Association of Feminists set up a Valentine’s Day-worthy spread of nail files, buffers, lotion and colorful polishes with equally vibrant names like “Green With Envy,” “Aspen Forest” and “Tonight’s Gonna Be a Good Night.”

In exchange for getting pampered, participants were encouraged to make a small donation to help the newly-formed club raise money for upcoming events. Members of the Association of Feminists asked for $5 donations but accepted donations less than that as well.

“We understand college kids don’t always have five bucks to give away,” Association of Feminists President Chani Capps said.

While a heart-shaped bowl at the club’s table quickly filled with small bills, fund-raising was not the principle objective of the event.

Association of Feminists members were also celebrating the recent reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. According to a White House Fact Sheet, the legislation, originally passed in 1994, “recognized the severity of violence against women and our need for a national strategy.” The VAWA accomplishes this by enacting legislative provisions to “hold offenders accountable with programs to provide services to the victims of such violence.”

Valentine’s Day was also the day in which people all over the world were encouraged by the organization 1 Billion Rising to “walk out, dance, rise up and demand an end to [sexual] violence.”

The Association of Feminists had informational fliers about 1 Billion Rising scattered across its table in between bottles of nail polish and under pampered hands.

“We’re here to break down gender barriers and raise awareness about violence against women,” Association of Feminists member Ryan McConnell said. “So, why not get your nails painted?”

cblackme@mavs.coloradomesa.edu