Northwest Missouri State University will host a variety of events during March to highlight the achievements of women and commemorate Women’s History Month.
This year’s events take on the theme of “Celebrating Women of Character, Courage and Commitment.” The month includes interactive activities, a video presentation, panel discussions and lectures.
The women’s history events are organized by students under the supervision of Jamie Campbell, a political science lecturer; Dr. Elyssa Ford, assistant professor of history; and Steve Bryant, director of intercultural affairs. The events are sponsored by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Office of Intercultural Affairs. All events are free and open to the public.
“When celebrating Women’s History Month in the past, faculty have organized the events,” Campbell said. “This year, Dr. Ford and I thought it would be good to get the students involved and let the students organize the events, really take ownership and let them be invested in Women’s History Month. We thought the students would be able to reach out and get their fellow students to come to the events, too.”
The month’s events begin Monday, March 3, with “Celebrate Influential Women” from 10 to 11 a.m. in Valk Center. Northwest students and employees are invited to write a note about a woman who has shown courage, commitment or character. The activity will be repeated Monday, March 10, and Monday, March 17 at the same time and location.
Students have planned “Women in the Military” 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 4, 11 and 18, in the J.W. Jones Student Union. Participants will write thank you notes to women who are serving in the military.
A panel discussion about “International Women’s Education” will be 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 6, in Room 40 Valk Center. The discussion, led by a panel of Northwest students and faculty, will focus on women’s education.
“Women’s Health Issues” will be 6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, in the Student Union Living Room. The documentary “Half the Sky” will be shown and a discussion about women’s health issues will follow.
Women’s History Presentation, in conjunction with the “Celebration of Quality” will be 3:15 to 4:15 p.m., Friday, March 14, in Meeting Room A of the Student Union.
As a part of the Student Activities Council’s SAC Speaks series, Tierney Cahill will give a lecture 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, in the Student Union Ballroom. Cahill is a sixth-grade teacher in Reno, Nev. who ran for a Congress to teach her students how elections and the government work.
Throughout the month, the Northwest community also can view biography cards of women displayed at dining locations in the Student Union and Valk Center.
National Women’s History Month was founded in 1987 when the U.S. Congress declared that it be celebrated during March in perpetuity. A presidential proclamation is issued annually to honor the achievements of American women. For more information about the national celebration, visit http://www.nwhp.org/.