Organization hosts conversation about women’s sexual health

The Institute for Women’s Leadership hosted Morgan Muelken, community health educator, and Minnesota sexual assault advocate to speak at their event titled Sex, Milk and Cookies for a conversation about communicating with your partner, libido, and slut-shaming.

Sex, Milk and Cookies is a reoccurring event that has continued to show popularity with students at CSB+SJU. Various students from both campuses came to listen and support the event that took place on Monday night, each entering with their own reasons for attending.

“In any context, sex is just not talked about, and I feel like it’s a good thing to learn about. It’s something that is going to influence you later in your intimate relationships and just in your life, so it’s important to have conversations where it’s talked about,” said Maria Nathe, CSB sophomore who attended the event. “I think a good takeaway is that we need to talk about it more, and it needs to be a safe and comfortable conversation.”

The goal of this event is to foster conversation around women’s sexual health in a positive and uplifting light.

“There aren’t many events like this on campus, and we want to continue to serve the students’’, said Taylor Reiter, CSB senior and IWL student worker. “We want to hold a safe space for Bennies to have these conversations, where all Bennies feel welcome to participate.”

Throughout the duration of her presentation Muelken shared tips, statistics, resources and facts surrounding sex, education and health. Her messages drew in on how important it is for these conversations to happen in positive, safe and accepting environments.

“I think it’s really important to normalize having conversations about sex and teaching people that whatever they want to do is important,” Muelken said.

Muelken also expressed her thoughts on how college campuses should empower and promote this sense of safety and comfort around the topic of sex.

“When people are going to college campuses, a lot of the time they are becoming more independent for the first time and really exploring their sexualities. It’s really important for people to access the knowledge they want to have,” Muelken said.

Woman’s sexual health has been oftentimes seen as taboo and not touched on in the media or in people’s everyday lives. Until recently these conversations around women’s sexual health and education haven’t seen the light of day.

“More research is coming out, and I think that it’s becoming more normal to talk about it, but I don’t think we are talking about it enough. That’s why it’s so cool for me to even be here and speaking to you guys and having these discussions,” Muelken said.

The event was concluded by Muelken answering questions that were asked anonymously by attendees.

“There are so many people who have questions about sexual health, and I just want to be the big sister who people feel open to talking to and be someone who can give safe and accurate information to those who want it. It’s just really important to me that people are empowered and affirmed,” Muelken said.