Women on campus have the opportunity to bond tonight as they speak on such issues as sexuality, abuse, body image, eating disorders and other health issues.

“Women to Women: A Seminar By Women for Women” will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the UC Ballroom.

In addition to guest speaker Sue Townsend, a psycholgist, female students will be on-hand to share their personal experiences and to provide a shoulder to lean on, Laurie Lester, seminar coordinator, said.

“They will be talking about how they got through things like eating disorders, breast cancer and abusive relationships,” Lester said.

Before the seminar begins, blank sheets of paper will be handed out to audience members in order for them to write down questions they would like answered during the program.

“We will answer as many questions as we can,” Lester said.

At the end of the seminar, any remaining time will allow people to talk one-on-one with the guest speakers.

Lester said the driving force behind the seminar was the desire not to see young women get sucked into unhealthy lifestyles, which can easily make them feel devalued.

This is the seminar’s first year, but Lester feels it will be successful if just one person is helped in some way.

Essentially, the overall goal is to empower young women to take control of their lives and do what is best for them.

“We really want to be there to encourage young women,” Lester said. “We want to tell them that they don’t have to do anything that they don’t want to.”

“Women to Women” is sponsored by Chi Alpha.