Celebrate Women’s History Month this year with a month of fun and educational programming
is recognized each March as a time to commemorate, study, and celebrate the ways women have contributed to and shaped the history of the United States. Beginning as Women’s History Week in 1981, this celebration of women’s history expanded until the first monthlong celebration was held in 1987.
This year, Lees-91探花 will join the national celebration with a series of events, activities, and workshops centered on the female experience throughout history.
“U.S. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm once said, ‘If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.’ Centering the contributions of women is one way of providing that seat at the table, as too often the voices of women are underrepresented or altogether absent in academic contexts,” Associate Professor of Communications and Media Studies Abby Arnold-Patti, who has spearheaded this month of programming, said. “It is important for students of all gender identities to be exposed to the contributions and perspectives of women, and this is a wonderful opportunity for the women on our campus to feel seen, heard, and valued.”
From educational lectures and panels to events centered around fun and friendship, each of the college’s Women’s History Month events are free and open to all gender identities. Presence Points will be available for each event, so keep your eye on The Den and bring your student ID.
Feminist Button Making
Monday, March 11, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cannon Student Center
According to Rise Up!, the digital feminist activism archive, have long been a fixture of feminist activism due to their inexpensive production and ease of distribution. This made buttons a convenient way to show support for issues, actions, and activist movements.
Make your own and join this long-held feminist tradition.
“You Just Don’t Understand: Making Sense of Masculine and Feminine Speech Communities"
Monday, March 11, noon–1 p.m.
Shelton Learning Commons Room 205
This lecture from Arnold-Patti is sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities. Bring your lunch and enjoy a conversation about the way gender can play a role in communication styles.
Barbie: A Film Screening and Panel Discussion
Monday, March 11, 6:30−9 p.m.
Evans Auditorium
Gather with friends to enjoy a screening of the new movie Barbie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
After the film, stick around for a panel discussion about the film, feminism, and more with Arnold-Patti, Augustine, Heying, and Senior Instructor and Campus Sullivan Coordinator Amy Anderson.
Personal Safety and Self Defense Workshop
Tuesday, March 12, 2−4 p.m.
Evans Auditorium
Join Instructor of Criminal Justice Derrick Lail for this training workshop that will provide attendees with basic self-defense skills to better ensure personal safety.
The workshop is sponsored by the Criminal Justice academic program.
Bingo Night
Tuesday, March 12, 8−9 p.m.
Evans Auditorium
Support woman-owned businesses this Women’s History Month when you come out to Bingo Night hosted by Student Affairs. All prizes from this Bingo Night will be from woman-owned businesses!
“The Power of Women’s Anger”
Wednesday, March 13, 6−7 p.m.
Counseling Services, Cannon Student Center Room 133
Women are often socialized to hide their anger, which can sometimes lead to feelings of rage building up on the inside. However, according to Director of Counseling Services Marla Gentile, these emotions are normal, healthy, and can even stimulate emotional growth.
Through this workshop, sponsored by Counseling and Wellness Services, Gentile will explore the ways women are taught to tamp down their anger and remain quiet, and how we begin to change those unhealthy messages.
“Eve and Mary Magdalene: Depatriarchalizing Biblical Interpretation”
Thursday, March 14, 2−3 p.m.
Evans Auditorium
With his lecture sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities, Professor of Religious Studies Ken Craig dives deep into the stories of two of the bible’s most important women: Eve, the first woman created by God, and Mary Magdalene, a saint and disciple of Jesus who witnessed his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
Karaoke Night: “I am Woman, Hear me Roar”
Thursday, March 14, 6 p.m.
Evans Auditorium
Gather with friends for an evening of singing, dancing, and fun with a karaoke night featuring female musical artists.
Women’s Print Movement Pop-Up Gallery and Zine Workshop
Friday, March 15, 2−4 p.m.
Shelton Learning Commons Room 205
Feminist zines, or self-published collections of text and images that are circulated among a community or movement, have a long history of centering and empowering the female perspective. These publications trace back to the women’s suffrage movement and beyond.
Get crafty and learn about the history of women in print with Program Coordinator for English Sy Heying and Assistant Professor of English Nora Augustine.
Student panel: “Women in the Spanish-Speaking World”
Tuesday, March 19, 2−3 p.m.
Shelton Learning Commons Room 120
Join a group of students from Assistant Professor of Spanish Randal Scamardo’s courses as they explore the stories of some of the most influential women from the Spanish-speaking world.
The panel discussion is sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities.
“Science is Your Superpower: Women in STEM”
Wednesday, March 20, 4−5 p.m.
Evans Auditorium
Interested in pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, or math? This is your opportunity to talk with women in the field, and hear about their stories, struggles, successes, and journeys establishing themselves in these male-dominated disciplines.
Meet with Program Coordinator of Pre-Physical Therapy Dee Medford-Baker, Assistant Dean of Natural and Health Sciences Shinjini Goswami, Director of May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Nina Fischesser, and more!
“The Righteousness of Tamar: Levirate Marriage and the Origins of Patriarchy”
Thursday, March 21, 3−4 p.m.
Shelton Learning Commons Room 202
In this lecture sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities, Dean of Arts and Humanities and Program Coordinator for Religious Studies Michael Vines explores the story of biblical woman Tamar.
Known primarily as the daughter-in-law of Judah, who believes she has killed two of his sons, Vines seeks to tell Tamar's tale from a new perspective.
A Showcase of Lees-91探花 Women in Sport
Saturday, March 23, noon−2 p.m.
Fred I. Dickerson Athletic Complex
Enjoy an afternoon in celebration of women’s sports with Lees-91探花 Athletics. Come out to support the women’s lacrosse team at their noon game, and the women’s tennis team and softball team at their respective matches at 1 p.m.
Each of these events will be hosted right here on campus and will celebrate women in sports with ceremonial first pitches, photoshoots, and more.
“Women’s History is Black History: Africana Womanist Rhetoric and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper”
Monday, March 25, 2−3 p.m.
Shelton Learning Commons Room 205
Black women have played an inextricable role in the furthering of equal rights for all women. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, well-known American abolitionist, activist, suffragist, poet, and beyond, is just one example of this.
Join Arnold-Patti for this lecture sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities.
“Different Types of Goddesses”: An Artist Talk
Tuesday, March 26, 4:30−5:30 p.m.
Evans Auditorium
Join Appalachian artist Danielle Byington for this talk about her collection “Different Types of Goddesses.”
Byington's work will also be shown in King-Shivell Gallery and will remain on display throughout Women's History Month.
Women’s History Month Craft and Movie Night
Tuesday, March 26, 6:30−8:30 p.m.
Evans Auditorium
Enjoy an evening in appreciation of the women who have influenced you, both current and historical, hosted by Avery Hall.
Begin the evening with a letter-writing activity for an inspiring woman in your life, then sit back and appreciate some inspiring women of the past with a screening of the film Hidden Figures.
“not her(e)”
Ongoing throughout the month
King-Shivell Gallery
Visit King-Shivell Gallery in Cannon Student Center to explore the latest exhibition from Los-Angeles-based photographer Kaitlynn Redell, “not her(e).”
Redell is invested in dismantling socially constructed categorizations of the female body. In this collection of color photographs, she captured herself performing acts of care for her young daughter while her physical form becomes camouflaged with furniture and other parts of her surroundings.
Gallery of International Women
Ongoing throughout the month
Burton Center for Student Success
If you are visiting the Burton Center for Student Success throughout the month, be sure to check out their gallery display highlighting influential women from around the world.
The gallery is sponsored by the Burton Center for Student Success and Hispanic Studies.
