In case you didn’t know, March is Women’s History Month— a time to honor, commemorate, and amplify the voices and history of women and non-binary individuals and the integral contributions they have made to society, politics, and culture.
By the 1970s, women’s history was still almost entirely omitted from school curriculums in the United States. Addressing this issue, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women in California initiated a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978.
Similar celebrations within other organizations and communities began to emerge shortly after, leading to a movement to secure a National Women’s History Week.
In response to lobbying efforts across the United States, in February of 1980 President Carter declared the week of March 8, 1980 to be National Women’s History Week (which coincides with International Women’s Day, which was declared to be annually on March 8 by the United Nations in 1975), and shortly after representatives sponsored a Congressional Resolution for Women’s History Week 1981. It wasn’t until 1987 that the entire month of March was designated as Women’s History Month by Congress.
If you are a Penn State student and wondering how you can get involved this year, look no further! There are many opportunities on campus to celebrate, educate yourself on and advocate for the rights of and women and non-binary people:
- Women and queer night at the bike den
Women and Queer Bike Night is March 2, 6 — 8 p.m. at the West Parking Deck (level one facing the Leonhard Building) and is open to students, faculty and local community members.
This is an opportunity for attendees to work on bikes and talk to Bike Den staff and volunteers and allows underrepresented groups to meet other cyclists and bike mechanics. All experience levels are welcome. There will also be free pizza!
More information can be found here.
- Ungendering Expectations with the college of health and human development
The Office for Diversity and Inclusion for the College of Health and Human Development will be hosting a workshop with the Gender Equity Center on Tuesday, March 21 at 6 p.m. in Henderson 110.
The goal of the workshop is to explore and identify gender stereotypes, as well as gender norms, the consequences of failing to abide by them and how they influence problematic behaviors which exclude women from STEM fields and leadership positions. The workshop will also include the teaching of bystander intervention techniques to promote equity and inclusion.
- Explore and connect: Gender equity center bus trip to washington, d.c.
On Friday, March 24, the Gender Equity Center is hosting a day trip to Washington, D.C. to learn more about women’s history and career options in gender equity and inclusion. Students will also be able to connect and network with PSU alumni and people currently working in gender equity related professions.
The bus will depart from the Pollock entrance at the HUB-Robeson Center at 6 a.m. and will return at 11:30 p.m. Students can register by March 14 and a $20 deposit is required to reserve your spot, which will be refunded to you upon boarding the bus.
More information and the registration form can be found here.
- “see no stranger” book discussion
The Gender Equity Center will be hosting a discussion of Valarie Kaur’s memoir “See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love” on Tuesday, March 28, in the Foster Auditorium.
The book is a 2021 Dayton Peace Prize Finalist, and in it Kaur discusses her own journey as a young brown girl growing up in California, her work as a law student fighting against injustice in American prisons and Guantanamo Bay, her activist work alongside marginalized communities combatting xenophobia and her own experiences with police violence and sexual assault.
Individuals who register will be able to receive a free copy of the book. More information and the registration form can be found here.
- D’Manda Martini: Women’s History Month Keynote with the center for sexual and gender diversity
Drag performer, cosplayer and theater artist D’Manda Martini will be a Women’s History Month Keynote speaker in a moderated discussion about queer folks in cosplay, consent and boundaries.
This event will take place on Thursday, March 30 from 5:30 — 7:30 p.m. in the HUB-Robeson Center 233.
- Women’s empowerment resource station
On Monday, March 13 from 12 — 4 p.m., the University Park Undergraduate Association will have a Women’s Empowerment Resource table set up at the HUB. Stop by to learn about university resources related to women’s health and advocacy.
- art and advocacy: Women’s leadership painting night
On Wednesday, March 15 at 5 p.m. in the Flex Theater, students will have the opportunity to engage with both student and staff leadership in discussions about women’s empowerment while painting portraits of famous female activists.
- women’s empowerment day of advocacy
On Friday, March 17 from 4 — 7 p.m. in the Flex Theater the University Park Undergraduate Association will host a social justice involvement fair centered around women’s resources and other related issues. Free creamery ice cream will also be provided.
- Wikipedia Editathon focused on Native American women activists and environmentalists
“Editathons” are events intended to improve the information available on a specific topic. From March 20 through April 23, Penn State University Libraries will host a virtual Wikipedia “Editathon” centered around Native American women activists and environmentalists.
All are welcome, and experienced editors will be available to answer any questions.
More information can be found here.
- Native American Wikipedia Edit-a-thon speaker Nicky Day Michael
On Wednesday, March 29 from 11:15 a.m. — 12:05 p.m., Nicky Day Michael will be giving a talk in the Foster Auditorium.
Michael chairs the Lenapeowsi Foundation, is in her second term of the Delaware Tribal Council and is serving her third term as an elected leader of the Delaware Tribe. She has taught Indigenous and American Indian Studies for over ten years.
- Penn State university library resources and digital collections
Penn State University Libraries will be offering resources and digital collections throughout March:
PSU Women’s Athletics and Title IX: The Successes and Struggles for Equal Access: This collection documents the history of Penn State’s women’s athletic teams and their successes since the emergence of Title IX in 1972.
Alice Marshall Women’s History Collection: This collection is comprised of literary and graphic materials centered around the issues and individuals that made up women’s history from the 15th century to the 1980s.
Women’s Suffrage Collection: This collection focuses on the history of the women’s rights and women’s suffrage movements in Pennsylvania. It is comprised of booklets, fliers, political cartoons, fliers and pamphlets documenting the work of organizations such as the Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association and the National League of Woman Voters.
A Few Good Women Oral History Collection: This collection is comprised of oral history interviews and papers from the project initiated by Barbara Hackman Franklin in 1995 titled “A Few Good Women: Advancing the cause for Women in Government, 1969-1974.”
Black Women’s Organizing Archive: Students, faculty and staff based at the Center for Black Digital Research at Penn State organized this collection that compiles archives from 19th and 20th century Black women intellectuals, artists and activists.
- Burn Bright: women and non-binary night
This event will take place after Women’s History Month has ended, but you should still be marking your calendars: Penn State Centre Stage will be performing Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s 2018 play “Emilia” this April in the Pavilion Theatre.
The show is inspired by the life 17th century poet Emilia Bassano, her speculated role as the subject of William Shakespeare’s “Dark Lady” sonnets and how her story has been erased from history. This feminist play focuses on centering and lifting up the voices of women and non-binary people and features an entirely non-male cast.
Subsidized tickets can be purchased for the performance on April 19 at 7:30 p.m. for $10, and following the show there will be a talkback with the cast and production team.
This event is sponsored by the University Park Undergraduate Association, Penn State Centre Stage and the College of Arts and Architecture. Tickets can be purchased here or by calling 814-863-0255.
Women and non-binary individuals deserve to be heard and celebrated no matter what time of year it is, and I hope that this month you take the time to celebrate and educate yourself on the brilliant women who have shaped the world we live in.
- feminism
- Women's History Month
FAQs
What is the theme for women's History Month 2023? ›
2023 Theme: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.
Who was the first woman to graduate from Penn State? ›Before June 1871, women weren't allowed to attend Penn State. President James Calder would change that and pave the way for Rebecca Ewing, the first woman to graduate from Penn State (then named the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania).
What is this year's National women's History Project theme for the month of March? ›The National Women's History Alliance, which spearheaded the movement for March being declared National Women's History Month, has announced the women's history theme for 2023, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”
Who is the national woman of the year 2023? ›Christi Shaw is a life sciences leader and patient advocate with over 30 years of experience across a broad range of therapeutic areas.
What are 7 ways to celebrate women's history month? ›- Watch a documentary about women's rights.
- Read books about women's rights.
- Add some new podcasts to your queue.
- Watch TED Talks by women leaders.
- Learn some Women's History Month stories.
- Learn more about the history of women's health.
Ask the students to work on a project about women's challenges or gender equality. They could write a composition, a poem, a book report, a speech, or do a research paper. Lead a discussion on what students can do in their home, at school or in the community to bring women closer to equality.
Who was the girl that died at Penn State? ›Justine Gross was reported missing on the evening of Nov. 11, 2021. Unfortunately, her body was found the next day in a waste receptacle that originated from the ground floor of her Beaver Terrace apartment at 456 E.
How many female students are at Penn State? ›| Gender | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Female Undergraduates University-wide | 46% |
| Male Undergraduates University-wide |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.
— Penn State women's soccer alumna Kerry Abello was announced as a Top 30 honoree for the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year award by the selection committee on Thursday.
- 1776. Women's Advocacy in the White House. ...
- 1848. The First Women's Convention. ...
- 1872. First Woman to Run for President. ...
- 1894. First Women State Legislators. ...
- 1916. First Congresswoman. ...
- 1920. Women Achieve the Right to Vote. ...
- 1922. ...
- 1924.
What colors represent women's history month? ›
The weekly observance continued until 1987 when Congress designated March as Women's History Month. Since then, the month of March has gone purple, green and white in honor of the women who've paved the way — and continue to do so today.
What is the color theme for women's history month? ›Symbolically, purple is a hue that has been used for centuries to represent wealth, nobility, luxury and power. It is also a color used throughout modern history to represent the fight for gender equality and International Women's Day.
Who is the most famous woman in history? ›The mother of Jesus, Mary is venerated by both Christians and Muslims, and is probably the most famous woman in history.
What Colour is International women's Day 2023? ›Today, purple is the colour of International Women's Day, and combined with green represents the feminist movement.
What is the theme of International day 2023? ›2023 Theme: Demographic Trends and Families
Population growth is to continue albeit at a decreasing rate. It is projected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 in 2100 rising concerns about the prospects of sustainable urbanization and management of climate change.
Since then, the month of March has gone purple, green and white in honor of the women who've paved the way — and continue to do so today. “The use of the colors purple, green, and white to represent women's history seem have their roots in the suffrage movement in England.
How to celebrate womens history month at work 2023? ›A: You can celebrate Women's History Month with your remote team by holding a series of online chats or webinars that focus on the achievements of women in history, or have your employees participate in virtual team building and bonding events and workshops that focus on women who played important roles in American ...
Who should we celebrate during women's history month? ›During Women's History Month, we celebrate the countless women who have fought tirelessly and courageously for equality, justice, and opportunity in our Nation. We also reaffirm our commitment to advancing rights and opportunities for women and girls in the United States and around the world.
What color is for women's Day? ›Purple, green and white are the colours of International Women's Day. Purple signifies justice, dignity and being loyal to the cause. Green symbolizes hope and white represents purity. The colours originated from the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908.
Who are the storytellers for women's history month 2023? ›In the 2023 Women's History Month logo, several notable women are featured, including novelists Toni Morrison, Maxine Hong Kingston, and Gertrude Stein, journalists and activists Jovita Idar and Marjory Stoneman Douglas, poet Maya Angelou, historian and author Gerda Lerner, and longtime National Park Service ranger ...
What activities can be done in history? ›
- Historical Visuals, Enhanced. ...
- Primary Sources Can Be Fun! ...
- Put Knowledge to Practice! ...
- Timelines Visualized. ...
- Host a Debate. ...
- Visit Historical Sites and Museums Right from Your Classroom. ...
- Put Your Students Right in the Heart of Events. ...
- Bringing in Outside Help.
Inspire your team to do little acts of kindness :
Why not celebrate IWD by making them feel special? Send flowers, write a card, give a small gift, or take them out for lunch. It doesn't matter if you're a man or woman; we can all show our gratitude and love for the women around us.
The International Women's Day 2023 theme is 'DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality'. This theme focuses on how technology and education in the digital age can help the empowerment of women and girls across the world.
What do people do to celebrate women's day? ›Everyone, everywhere can play a part in helping forge gender equality. From a wide range of IWD campaigns, events, rallies, lobbying and performances - to festivals, parties, fun runs and celebrations - all IWD activity is valid. That's what makes IWD inclusive.
Was Penn State student found in landfill? ›The Summit High School graduate was finishing up the first semester of her sophomore year at Penn State when she plunged 11 stories down a trash chute at her off-campus apartment building on the night of Nov. 10. Her body was found approximately 27 hours later a local landfill.
What happened to Penn State hazing death? ›The incident led to closure of the fraternity's chapter at the university, and at least 26 members of the fraternity had charges of involuntary manslaughter dropped by a presiding judge. Pennsylvania v. Alpha Upsilon et al.
What Penn State football player was a serial killer? ›It's the story of a Penn State football player who, as his team ascended to the pinnacle of the sport, was ransacking the lives of women in the dark. His name was Todd Hodne, and he was perhaps the most dangerous predator ever to play college football. "I have been a prosecutor for nearly 30 years," wrote John B.
What is the hardest Penn State campus to get into? ›University Park is the most selective campus, and some special programs are more competitive than others. Review the requirements for individual programs and campuses, and consider alternatives, which may provide an alternate path for admission.
What is the average GPA for Penn State? ›Average GPA: 3.58
The average GPA at Penn State is 3.58. This makes Penn State Strongly Competitive for GPAs. (Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.
Smeal is by far the hardest to get into. Most students would be better off applying DUS then, if they get the required stats (specific grades in some classes, overall GPA) can get into Smeal for their major.
Who was the first professional female player in this sport? ›
1938: Babe Zaharias, the first female to play on the PGA Tour in the Los Angeles Open. She shot 81-84 and missed the cut. She gave the tournament another try in 1945.
How many Olympians does Penn State have? ›The List of Pennsylvania State University Olympians is a list of former or current Penn State students (129) and coaches/faculty members (12) that have made an appearance as athletes or medaled at the Olympic Games, plus one athlete for the boycotted 1980 Summer Olympics.
Who was Penn State freshman of the year? ›(WHTM) — The Big Ten announced Penn State freshman running back Nick Singleton is the Freshman of the Year, on Wednesday November 30. Ten Penn State offensive players earned All-Big Ten honors.
What is the biggest women's movement? ›The fight for women's right to vote in elections is known as the 'suffragette movement'. By the end of the 19th century, this had become a worldwide movement, and the words 'feminism' and 'feminist movement' started to be used from that point on.
What is one historical event related to women's rights? ›Tennessee's Ratification of the 19th Amendment
Tennessee was the 36th out of the existing 48 states to ratify this amendment, clinching the passage of the amendment allowing women the right to vote.
The 2023 National Women's Month Celebration marks a juncture in the advancement of women's rights as it launches a new recurring theme from this year to 2028: WE for gender equality and inclusive society.
What is the theme of women's day 2023? ›International Women's Day – One Year of Accelerate Equality
The #AccelerateEquality initiative aims to close gender gaps and promote women and girls' empowerment to drive transformative change, unlocking trillions of dollars in economic potential.
But according to NPR, it wasn't until March 8, 1946, that feminists in Italy chose the mimosa flower as a symbol of strength, sensibility, and sensitivity for Women's Day.
What are the colors for women's history month 2023? ›The colors of Women's History Month are purple, green, and white. Each of these colors has their roots in the suffrage movement but continue to have modern meanings today.
What are the three Colours of women's Day? ›According to the website of International Women's Day, IWD's official colors are purple, green, and white. For more than a century, March 8 has been observed as a special day for women across the globe.
What is the symbol for women's history month? ›
The mimosa flower is a symbol of International Women's Day. March is Women's History Month, a national celebration of women's contributions to history, culture, and society.
What is the women's history month theme? ›What is the theme for Women's History Month 2023? In 2023, the theme of Women's History Month is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” This theme, designated by the National Women's History Alliance, will recognize women of past and present who have been active in all types of media and storytelling.
What is the color for women's history month? ›The lights honor Women's History Month in purple, which is recognized internationally as the color of women and gender equality. It represents justice and dignity and signifies visionary thinking.
What are three key dates for women's history month? ›- March 1, 1978 – Women's History Week is first observed in Sonoma County, California.
- March 1, 1987 – Congress passes a resolution designating March as Women's History Month.
- March 2, 1903 – the Martha Washington Hotel opens in New York City, becoming the first hotel exclusively for women.
The theme for International Women's Day, 8 March 2023 (IWD 2023) is, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.
What is the tagline for women's day 2023? ›For International Women's Day and beyond, let's all fully #EmbraceEquity. Equity isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have. A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society's DNA.
What is the best message for women's day? ›Women are the epitome of courage, hope, and life. Let us take a pledge this Women's Day that we will make the world a much better place for them. You are bold, beautiful, compassionate and caring. Wishing you a very happy Women's Day.
Why do we wear purple on women's day? ›Symbolically, purple is a hue that has been used for centuries to represent wealth, nobility, luxury and power. It is also a color used throughout modern history to represent the fight for gender equality and International Women's Day.
Is there a black women's history month? ›April is Black Women's History Month. We invite every member of the Fielding community to honor a Black Woman in their life and share her name. We would like to celebrate the names of Black Women that may not always be recognized but play a vital role in our lives.
How do you honor women's history month? ›- Book Club of Woman Authors. ...
- Eat or shop at women-owned businesses in your community. ...
- Profile a Women's History-themed podcast. ...
- Plan an office event to give back to your community. ...
- Give To Charity / Contribute to a Woman Philanthropy.
Who are the famous storytellers in 2023? ›
Shweta Bhatt, Laura Deal, Lynette Ford, Sammie James, Jenn Kamara, Bowen Lee, Misty Mator, Carol Moore, Jennifer Munro, Mo Reynolds, Cindy Rivka Marshall, Donna Washington, Kim Weitkamp, Megan Wells, and Cyndi Wish!