The University of Cincinnati highlights National Women's History Month with exciting campus events throughout March to honor women's achievements and efforts that are changing the course of history.
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UC shines a light on women’s achievements
UC honors faculty, students and alumnae who paved the way and those who are currently changing the world with exciting Women’s History Month events throughout March.
By Melanie Schefft
513-556-5213
Feb. 28, 2018
Blossoming out of a weeklong celebration in 1978 highlighting women’s contributions to culture, history and society, Women’s History Month became an annual monthlong celebration in 1987.
Since the university’s inception in 1819, UC has honored their most accomplished students, faculty and alumna –– shining a light on the many talented women who have launched successful careers through their strength, tenacity and courage to overcome obstacles.
While many UC success stories have emerged from different eras and circumstances such as biologists and scientists Annette and Lucy Braun in the early 1900s to current faculty members archaeologist Sharon Stocker and environmental philosopher Adrian Parr today, they are all inextricably linked by their commitment to fighting discrimination, rising above and beyond barriers of their time and helping to shape American and world history.
Throughout the last 200 years UC’s women have not only enjoyed many academic achievements but broken racial barriers even before the civil rights movement. Beginning with UC’s Inez Prosser, who in 1933 became the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate in psychology, and Lucy Oxley, the first African-American woman to receive a medical degree in 1936, several UC women are currently leaving their mark on the world such as Olympic gold medalist Mary Wineberg, fashion design rising star Asha Ama Daniels and Cincinnati civil rights pioneer Marian Spencer, who will have UC’s newest residence hall named for her in March.
In honor of UC women’s achievements, a list of exciting events will run throughout the month of March on all four UC campuses. Beginning with National Women of Color Day on March 1, and National Women’s History Day on March 8, several panel and luncheon events will highlight women of various cultures.
The National Women’s History Project theme for 2018 is “Nevertheless She Persisted: Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.” To learn more about the values that underpin and guide the Women’s History Month philosophy, attend any of the following UC events:
UC President Neville Pinto –– with alumna and Cincinnati civil rights pioneer Marian Spencer –– announced that the 1942 graduate's name will now be permanently etched on campus when the new high-rise residence hall opens on Campus Green in 2018 as Marian Spencer Hall. photo/Joseph Fuqua II/UC Creative Services
"Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarf," sponsored by UC Blue Ash Multicultural Affairs
Throughout the month of March
Now in its fourth year, UCBA is hosting the Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarf. Similar to the movie “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” the UC Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Women’s Center at the University of Dayton developed this program with the goals of building community and offering opportunities for learning, leadership and service. UCBA Multicultural Affairs has adopted the program for Women’s History Month as a way to encourage our staff, faculty and students of all backgrounds, cultures and religions to participate. Stop by Muntz Hall 123 at UCBA.
For more information, contact Molly Scruta at molly.scruta@uc.edu
“Feminism Is for Activism: Reproduce and Revolt,” a social justice poster workshop, sponsored by UC’s Women’s Center
Thursday, March 1, 11 a.m., UC Women’s Center, 571 Steger Student Life Center
Join artist and activist Favianna Rodriguez, transdisciplinary artist, cultural strategist and activist as she takes you through the guiding principles for effective social justice poster design. Rodriguez will demonstrate how art can inspire, educate and help spur the imagination beyond the realms of what politics can do. Social justice posters, in particular, are powerful living reminders of struggles for worldwide peace and justice.
For more information, contact Ashley Currier at currieay@ucmail.uc.edu
“Migration is Beautiful,” dinner and documentary film screening with artist Favianna Rodriguez, sponsored by the UC LGBTQ Center
Thursday, March 1, 6 p.m., UC LGBTQ Center, 565 Steger Student Life Center
Enjoy a dinner and film screening with artist and activist Favianna Rodriguez who has teamed up with Pharrell Williams, author Jose Antonio Vargas and actor Rosario Dawson to create a moving new documentary series to address the debate surrounding the immigration policy in the U.S. and the overall perception of immigrants.
For more information, contact Ashley Currier at currieay@ucmail.uc.edu
“Moving Images: Difficult Love,” film screening at the Cincinnati Art Museum, sponsored by UC Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Thursday, March 1 (National Women of Color Day), 6-8 p.m., Fath Auditorium, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Dr.
Enjoy a poignant documentary film, in honor of National Women of Color Day, that follows internationally celebrated photographer Zanele Muholi. As a visual activist, Muholi's self-proclaimed mission is “to rewrite a black queer and trans visual history of South Africa for the world to know of our resistance and existence at the height of hate crimes in SA and beyond.”
Following the screening, Nathaniel Stein, the art museum’s associate curator of photography, will moderate a panel discussion with UC Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies professors Ashley Currier and Thérèse Migraine-George. Free admission and a cash bar outside the theater.
For more information, contact Ashley Currier at currieay@ucmail.uc.edu
“There has never been a movement for social change without art and culture being central to that movement. Art can inspire, educate and help spur the imagination beyond the realms of what politics can do. Social justice posters, in particular, are powerful living reminders of struggles for world wide peace and justice.”
‒ Favianna Rodriguez, artist, activist and cultural strategist
“Migration is Beautiful,” lecture and lunch with Favianna Rodriguez, sponsored by UC’s Office of Equity & Inclusion, UC LGBTQ Center, UC Women’s Center, UC Ethnic Programs & Services, UC Worldfest and UC Blue Ash
Friday, March 2, 11 a.m., UC Blue Ash, Flory 145
Join Favianna Rodriguez for lunch as she discusses art, politics and playing in both spaces to make a positive change in our culture. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Ashley Currier at currieay@ucmail.uc.edu
“Migration is Beautiful,” poster-making workshop with Favianna Rodriguez, sponsored by UC’s Office of Equity & Inclusion, UC LGBTQ Center, UC Women’s Center, UC Ethnic Programs & Services, UC Worldfest and UC Blue Ash
Friday, March 2, 12:30-1:30 p.m., UC Blue Ash, Flory 145
Join artist and activist Favianna Rodriguez as she shares the guiding principles for effective social justice poster design. Rodriguez will demonstrate how art, politics and playing in both spaces inspires, educates and helps spur the imagination beyond the realms of what politics can do. Social justice posters, in particular, are powerful living reminders of struggles for worldwide peace and justice.
There will be a “Gallery Walk” and meet & greet following the poster workshop. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Ashley Currier at currieay@ucmail.uc.edu
Hands-on Design and Silkscreen Workshop with Visiting Artist Favianna Rodriguez, Sponsored by UC’s College of DAAP and the LGBTQ Center
Friday, March 2, 4-6 p.m., DAAP Printmaking Studio, Wolfson 6335
Join Favianna Rodriguez as she demonstrates her silkscreening techniques that address migration, economic inequality, gender justice and ecology. Her art interventions intersect the worlds of art, social justice and cultural equity. In 2016, Rodriguez received the Robert Rauschenberg Artist as Activist Fellowship for her work around mass incarceration. In 2017, she was awarded an Atlantic Fellowship for Racial Equity for work around racial justice and climate change.
For more information, contact Ashley Currier at currieay@ucmail.uc.edu
UC alumna Amy Wright, CCM '93, received the 2017 CNN Hero of the Year award for her efforts to advocate for and operate a coffee shop that employs disabled people. "I am bringing this [award] home to the 40 employes who work at Bitty & Beau's Coffee Shop, and especially to my youngest children, Bitty and Beau, who are my inspirations," said Wright at the CNN Hero of the Year award program.
“Empowerment Day,” 2018 Lindner Women in Business Leadership Conference, sponsored by UC Lindner College of Business Alumni Relations
Saturday, March 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center, 151 Goodman Dr.
Become part of Empowerment Day with 25 women from all walks of life across the country who aim to enrich, enlighten and empower collegiate women interested in pursuing a career in business.
Student registration fee of $10 for the event includes meals. Registration is limited to the first 200 participants.
For more information, contact Lauren Jacquot at johnsl8@ucmail.uc.edu
"Become a STEMinist," talk and snack, sponsored by UC Women's Center
Tuesday, March 6, 5-6:30 p.m., UC Women's Center, 571 Steger Student Life Center
On this International Day for Women in STEM, take your first step to becoming a wonderwoman –– a STEMINIST. Join UC Women in STEM for a talk by keynote Deval Motka from the David J. Joseph Co., to find out why we need to and how we can support the women in STEM fields. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, contact Deb Marke at markedg@ucmail.uc.edu
"Women in Television," lunch and learn, sponsored by UC Women's Center
Wednesday, March 7, 12:30 p.m., UC Women's Center, 571 Steger Student Life Center
Join UC Professor Melissa Whitis for a lunch and learn event focused on the history of women and their representation in television. Lunch will be provided. Register and RSVP here.
For more information, contact Deb Marke at markedg@ucmail.uc.edu
International Women's Day Celebration, sponsored by UC Women's Center
Thursday, March 8, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., TUC Atrium
Learn more about global cultures and transnational gender justice through an afternoon of celebration and education focused on international feminist activism and allyship. Free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Deb Marke at markedg@ucmail.uc.edu
"Women are the Tree of Life: She is Not Disposable," film screening and discussion, sponsored by UC Women's Center
Thursday, March 8, 5-7 p.m., UC Women's Center, 571 Steger Student Life Center
Join the UC Women's Center for a film screening and discussion for International Women's Day. Interested in women's rights, birth rights and human rights? Enjoy a film screening about maternal mortality and how it is affecting women and children worldwide. A segment of the documentary series "Half the Sky" will be viewed followed by a discussion and short guided meditation on mindfulness and positivity.
For more information, contact Deb Marke at markedg@ucmail.uc.edu
Women of Cincy: “Sips and Sweets,” sponsored by UC CAB Alumni Relations
Thursday, March 8, 6-8 p.m., Stir Interactive Venue, 7813 Ted Gregory Ln., Montgomery, Ohio
Enjoy an evening with UC alumna, entrepreneur and former Great American Baking Show contestant, Jessie Deye Salzbrun, A&S ’08, as she demonstrates simple decorating techniques that look complex but are easy in execution. Learn skills to create custom cookies. Tickets are $40 a pair, or $25 for one. The event is already at capacity, but you are welcome to join our waiting list and will be notified if space becomes available.
RSVP by March 7.
For more information, contact Lauren Jacquot at johnsl8@ucmail.uc.edu
UC student Erin Walsh shows her UC pride and prowess for finding no goal or mountain too high to tackle as she stands atop Mt. Elbert in 2017.
YWCA Info Session on Domestic Violence, sponsored by the Office of Inclusion and Involvement at UC Blue Ash
Tuesday, March 20, 12:30-1:30 p.m., UCBA Progress Hall 107
Come eat pizza and gain insight from YWCA’s Angela Inglis regarding different types of partner violence, resources and services for survivors in the Greater Cincinnati community. Learn how to support a friend going through a domestic violence situation and how to help your community.
For more information, contact Molly Scruta at molly.scruta@uc.edu
"Fem Chronicles Speak Out," personal story and poem readings, sponsored by UC Women's Center
Tuesday, March 20, 5-6:30 p.m., UC Women's Center, 571 Steger Student Life Center
Help celebrate feminism and self-image in creative expression through personal story readings, inspirational TED talk excerpts, Maya Angelou poems and a platform for you to share your own story, and so much more. Free and open to all UC students.
For more information, contact Deb Marke at markedg@ucmail.uc.edu
Lunch and Lobby with Representative Brigid Kelly, sponsored by UC Women's Center
Thursday, March 22, 12:30-2 p.m., UC Steger Student Life Center (6th floor)
Enjoy lunch and learn more about what's going on at the state level on current issues, legislation and Representative Kelly's leadership journey.
For more information, contact Deb Marke at markedg@ucmail.uc.edu
Lunch with Cincinnati Councilwoman Tamaya Dennard, sponsored by the Office of Inclusion and Involvement at UC Blue Ash
Friday, March 23, 12:30-1:30 p.m., UCBA Walters Hall 100
Come and hear about Councilwoman Dennard’s remarkable story and discuss strategies for electing more women to public office. To RSVP
For more information, contact Molly Scruta at molly.scruta@uc.edu
Woman of the World (WoW) Conference, sponsored by the Office of Inclusion and Involvement at UC Blue Ash
Saturday, March 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., UCBA Muntz Hall
Join a gathering of women from UC and the community to foster communications and participate in discussions of the issues that impact women today. WoW will be a celebration of women from different cultures, creeds and walks of life.
For more information, contact Molly Scruta at molly.scruta@uc.edu
~ This list will be updated daily as new events are added ~
The spirit of Women’s History Month aligns with President Pinto's Next Lives Here Strategic Direction and UC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion representing core values that empower individuals to transform their lives and achieve their highest potential.
UC programs that continue to promote the advancement of women across all academic disciplines include:
- UC LEAF Empowering Women in STEM
- UC Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies
- UC Women’s Center
- UC LGBTQ Center
- Her Campus Magazine/Cincinnati is an online magazine tailored to women at colleges nationwide. Each week, UC chapter members meet to discuss the magazine, marketing events and focus on creating a sense of sisterhood both online and offline.