DeKALB — The Student Association Senate approved a new student group that is dedicated to female empowerment.

The Ladies of Distinction, which aims to enhance cultural awareness and women empowerment via fundraising and various initiatives, was approved in a unanimous vote during a March 26 SA Senate meeting in the Holmes Student Center, Sky Room.

“The Ladies of Distinction strive to promote cultural awareness and community service,” said Rubi Nevarez, Ladies of Distinction president.

The organization has been successful when it comes to promoting community service and fundraising thus far, said Nevarez. According to Nevarez, the club raised over $1000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Society.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Society was founded in 1982 and is the world’s largest nonprofit organization for the fight against breast cancer. The organization has invested $2.6 billion in breast cancer research, according to their website.

The student organization has 25 members, and their goal is for each member to plan and fundraise three educational programs and fundraiser events per semester.

SA approves new senators

Senators Matthew Moore and Bryan Recinos were sworn into office by SA Senate Speaker Christine Wang.

Moore, a junior political science major, is also involved in Mock Trial and was a member of the military for five years. As a senator, he hopes to help make campus a more welcoming environment.

“The reason I want to be a senator is that I would like to help make the NIU community arguably more inclusive and more welcoming,” Moore said during the meeting. “After I left the military and came to NIU, I learned regardless of whether it is the military or a university, the community that someone is a part of is what keeps you strong and what keeps you going.”

Recinos, a freshman accountancy major, is also involved in the Campus Activities Board, the soccer team and Sigma Nu. He wants to help the campus by changing parking policies on campus.

“A lot of students approach me and complain about the parking on campus,” Recinos said during the meeting. “There are not many parking lots available, especially for commuting students. I am looking forward to trying to resolve this issue.”