Celebrating Women’s History Month
What is it, why do we celebrate it, and how is Shawnee participating?
March 11, 2021
March is Women’s History Month and while every day we should appreciate the women in our lives and the women who have paved the way towards equality, this month we are invited to truly take a look at women’s history and honor all women.
What is Women’s History Month? During Women’s History Month, we celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
Women’s History Month started out as one day of recognition. What was once just International Women’s Day, turned into a week in 1981 when Congress passed a public law which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982, as “Women’s History Week.”
In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed another law, Pub. L. 100-9, which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Since 1995, every president has issued an annual proclamation designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”
While Women’s History Month is all month long, the celebration of International Women’s Day takes place every year on March 8 and has grown exponentially in the past several years. Every year on International Women’s Day, women across the U.S. and all over the world partake in celebrating women of all backgrounds. Social media has made the holiday a day of women’s empowerment and many women look forward to the day. It is a day that women get to be truly appreciated.
Women’s History Month has also gained more traction over the years in light of movements that aim to empower women. One of these movements, the #MeToo Movement, is a social movement that encourages women to speak out against sexual violence and sexual assault and share their own stories.
The month of March becomes more and more exciting as women continue to shatter glass ceilings and leave their mark on the world and as the entire U.S celebrates women during the month of March, Shawnee will be celebrating and honoring women as well. They will be hosting various events throughout the month. These events are open to all students, staff, and faculty. Most events will take place over Zoom and attendees are welcome to attend as many events as they would like.
This month’s events are put on by the Women’s and Gender Equity Center and the Diversity and Inclusion Center. These organizations aim to engage with students and promote equality and inclusion all across campus.
One of the most anticipated events of the month is the Women Who Rock Awards. The Awards all about celebrating the amazing women at Shawnee State University. Any woman can be nominated to receive an award unless they won in a category the previous year. The categories include Outstanding International Student, Phenomenal Woman of Color, Stand Out Teammate of the Year, and others. To nominate someone, fill out the form that was sent out through email to all students, faculty, and staff.
While there is still much work to do when it comes to gender equality, Women’s History Month serves as a reminder of how far women have come over the course of history.
Check out a detailed schedule of upcoming Women’s History Month events below!
Schedule of Dates and Events
March 8, 2021
11-4pm
International Women’s Day
Stop by the table in the UC Lobby, write some advice to growing girls and take a selfie with our white board, or post a selfie to social media or the SSU App with advice to younger women using #internationaldayofthegirl and what you are proud of accomplishing!
UC Lobby and Social Media
March 10, 2021
12:00-1:30pm
Future Focus: Asking the Hard Questions
What should women and LGBTQ+ folks know about what to ask and what not to ask during interviews and salary negotiation? Should we ask about childcare, explain our plans for families, if asked? Should we ask about insurance for our partners? And what about when HR asks about gender and preferred names? Join us as we talk with Julia Applegate from Equitas about all of these questions and more!
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/92278313051
March 11, 2021
1-3pm and 6-8pm
MBTI Personality Assessment Workshop: What Type of Leader Are You?
The Myers Briggs Type Indicator Assessment is a personality assessment that helps people understand their preferred and instinctual communication, decision-making, and leadership methods. In this workshop, we’ll help you learn your MBTI type and how you work with others. A restaurant gift card will also be raffled from participants in each session.
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95204677839
March 16, 2021
7pm
Family Connect
Let’s talk about what influence women have had in your lives and how better to support the women around you!
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95399273114
March 17, 2021
12:15 pm
Woke! with WGEC: Our Struggles and Our Victories
The pandemic has changed a lot of things for all of us, but how specifically has it affected women? Let’s talk about our struggles and our victories.
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95705019407
March 19, 2021
7pm
Women Who Rock Awards
Let’s celebrate the Women Who Rock SSU!
Zoom:https://zoom.us/j/99268834187
March 26, 2021
7pm
Lady Biz Comedy Show
Lady Biz Comedy Show is two hysterical women talking about hysterical things in a virtual comedy show just for SSU!
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91765843425
March 30, 2021
12:15pm
Equity and Inclusion Chats: Intersectionality and Supporting all Women
Join Christina and Marlita as we talk about how better to support all women equally.
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95980414903
March 30, 2021
All Day
Great Recipes from Badass Women
During this event, recipes by or based off influential women throughout history will be highlighted.
Bear’s Den
March 31, 2021
12-1pm and 5-6pm
Inclusivity Training
Inclusivity Training 1.0 is about equipping ourselves with a toolbox of terms and conversation builders to be able to effectively communicate with all people.
