Women’s History Month Celebration Features Prominent Speakers, Art, and Presentations in March
JONESBORO – Students, faculty and staff at Arkansas State University will observe National Women’s History Month in March with a number of special activities, including the second annual Women’s Leadership Conference and a luncheon address by the First Lady of Arkansas, Ginger Beebe.
Beginning as “Women’s History Week” in 1978 in Sonoma County, Calif., the public celebration included International Women’s Day on March 8. “While the celebration recognizes women who have contributed to the advancement and equal rights of women, it is also a time to pay homage to women who are making an impact on society through politics, medicine, arts, technology, and other fields,” says Candence Williams, program coordinator of the Multicultural Center at Arkansas State. Since 1987, the achievements of American women have been recognized and honored.
Arkansas State’s theme for the 2013 Women’s History Month Celebration is “Women Inspiring Imagination through Innovation.” ASU has planned a host of events that represent a culmination of remembrance, inspiration, and appreciation.
- The celebration kicks off Friday, March 1, at 2:30 p.m. with a roundtable discussion of “The Feminine Mystique Revisited.” The afternoon concludes with a short play and talk on the life and times of Queen Elizabeth I by Carole Levin, the Willa Cather Professor of History at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Both events will be held in Wilson Hall Auditorium. For more details contact Kat Lecky at klecky@astate.edu.
- Beginning Monday, March 4, and continuing through Friday, March 29, is the “Venus Gaze” art exhibit by Jorge Villegas in the Multicultural Center. His art features faces of women from various ages. Villegas and his wife Maria will open the exhibit at 4 p.m. Monday and discuss the influence of women in art, with a special emphasis on Latin American women. Viewing times for the “Venus Gaze” exhibit are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Dr. Rickie Solinger, award winning historian and author, will speak Tuesday, March 5, on the topic of “Women’s History, Health, and Reproductive Rights.” This event also includes a panel discussion of “Choice vs. Reproductive Justice: Which is Better for Women?” Solinger’s address begins at 4 p.m. in the Carl R. Reng Student Union Auditorium. One may contact Dr. Sarah Wilkerson Freeman, professor of history, sarahwf@astate.edu, for additional information about Solinger and her presentation.
- On Tuesday, March 26, the public is invited to attend “An Intimate Conversation with Janis Kearney,” diarist to Bill Clinton, the 42nd U.S. President. Kearney will discuss her recent book, “Daisy: Between a Rock and a Hard Place,” and her experiences as a writer. The event will be held in the Multicultural Center, on the third floor of the Carl R. Reng Student Union, at 4 p.m. A reception will follow.
- The ASU Women’s History Month Celebration concludes Thursday, March 28, with the second annual Women’s Leadership Conference, along with the Living Legends Luncheon sponsored by the Multicultural Center. Conference attendees will participate in engaging workshops about leadership, work-life balance, branding, and other empowering tools for success.
- During the Living Legends Luncheon, one outstanding woman will be awarded the “Living Legend” award for her accomplishments and contributions to the community. The guest speaker for the luncheon is First Lady of Arkansas, Ginger Beebe.
- Registration for the Women’s Conference begins Friday, March 1. To register for the conference or nominate someone for the Living Legends Luncheon Award, one may visit http://www.astate.edu/a/leadership-center/multicultural-center/. The Women’s Leadership Conference is free, but space is limited.
All Women’s History Month events are free and open to the public. Interested individuals may contact the Multicultural Center at (870) 680-4052 or astatemc@astate.edu for more details.
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