Michal Naisteter is one Penn State student who says she wants to see feminist stereotypes abolished.

"Being a feminist doesn't mean wearing black boots and not shaving your armpits," Naisteter (senior-Jewish studies) said.

In an attempt to break these stereotypes, Naisteter and about 200 other members of the Penn State community joined yesterday in HUB Heritage Hall for the first Feminist Fair.

Sponsored by the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA), the event featured several other Penn State organizations, including Men Against Violence, Eco-Action, Indian Student Association, Amnesty International, Student Labor Action Project, College Democrats and Allies.

The fair brought common women's issues to light through several displays, newspaper clippings, magazine advertisements, books and statistics that explored everything from eating disorders to reproductive rights.

To engage attendees in an interactive way, the fair offered participants the chance to sign a wall expressing what feminism meant to them. A safe-sex contract was also available for people to sign, along with information about sexually transmitted diseases.

"This is the most shocking information," Nadja Quinones (sophomore-English) said when she looked at the table of information. "People who have one-night stands don't realize the full extent of these diseases."

Also on display was a mirror listing questions that people may ask themselves about body image, such as, "Is my hair too curly? Too straight? Is my nose too big? Am I fat? Too skinny?"

Carrie Lauer (junior-accounting) said she thinks the questions posed on the mirror are what many people ask themselves when they see their reflection.

"Feminism is about not being embarrassed about being a woman," Laurer said.

But one member of the FMLA pointed out that feminism isn't reserved just for females.

Josh Lenes (sophomore-psychology and women's studies), who has been an active FMLA member for about a year, said he didn't always conform to the masculine stereotype, and feminism became something that was very important to him.

"There's a stigma attached to feminism, especially when a man's a feminist," he said. "But it doesn't bother me because I'm comfortable enough with myself."

Anne Marie Toccket (senior-Spanish, international studies and public relations) took part in the event as a final project requirement for a class. Toccket spoke briefly to a small group about a current event in Juarez, Mexico, where more than 400 women were murdered and no charges have been filed.

"This is about violence against women, and what illustrates women's rights more than the right to life?" she said. "It's amazing that something like that can happen -- and only three miles from the United States."

FMLA President Meghan Ochs said she was pleased with the turnout and had high hopes for next year's fair.

"Hopefully the event can evolve in future years, becoming more of an activist event," she said. "Everyone can find their own little niche in feminism."