College celebrates women's history month with variety of programs and activities

RACHEL KINGSTROM

Staff Writer

The focus on the y-chromosome takes a back seat for the next few weeks as the campus celebrates women’s history month.

The Women’s Studies department and the Women’s Issues Advisory board have scheduled a variety of events to celebrate women and raise awareness of issues facing them. “[This month] is a way for people to be visibly concerned about issues surrounding women; their bodies, health and creative capacity,” Chi-Ping Chen, associate professor of English, said.

The month began with the Breast Cancer pop can and coin drive on March 1 and 2. Following the drive, on March 3, was the first presentation of “Knowledge from Within,” held from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Fireside Lounge, and the Breast Cancer Awareness video shown at 7pm. The week concluded with t-shirt sales in Hamilton Commons and The Center for Student Development.

Students had the chance to take part in the Labyrinth on March 8, an interactive experience held in Jones Auditorium at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. A presentation on breast cancer prevention was held on March 10 from 11:45 a.m. to 1pm in the Thistle Room. The Black Student Union got involved by showing Real Women Have Curves, a movie that celebrates all women, on March 11 at 8 p.m.

Last Tuesday night, Maggie Hadleigh West visited the college to discuss street harassment of women. “Maggie Hadleigh West was a big hit last year,” Joanne Gilbert, associate professor of communications, said. “Never in nine years have I seen such a positive response. People actually wanted to stay for the hour-long question and answer session.”

On March 15, speaker Helen Sterk discussed the politics of the birthing process. There are several more events planned throughout March to engage students’ interest in this important month. “Silent Legacy,” a presentation sponsored by Alma Pride, will be held in Fireside Lounge tonight at 7pm.

Tomorrow, March 16, “Knowledge from Within” will be held again from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The week’s activities will conclude once again with t-shirt sales in Hamilton Commons and The Center, but the month will still be going strong with plenty of activities to offer.

The Clothesline Project will take place in Dow lobby on March 23 and 24. In addition, there will be two final opportunities to experience the “Knowledge from Within” presentation, which will be held on March 24 and 31 in Fireside Lounge.

The estrogen-infused enlightenment will continue with a speech given by Brenda Russel called “Interdisciplinary Teams of the Future.” Russel was a mentor to Karen Ball, associate professor of exercise and health science and assistant provost, when she was in graduate school.

The final event to look forward to this month is the Women Composers Concert, which will be held Friday, March 26 at 8 p.m. “I encourage everyone to come [to the events] because they will be both educational and entertaining,” Gilbert said.

Top