Events will be held on campus and online throughout March to celebrate achievements by, for and about women.
The Texas Tech University Women's Studies Program will host events on campus and online throughout the month of March in celebration of Women's History Month. Events are planned to celebrate achievements by, for and about women.
The public celebration of women's history in America began in 1978 as “Women's History Week” and included International Women's Day on March 8. In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikilski (D-Maryland) co-sponsored a joint congressional resolution proclaiming a national Women's History Week. In 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to the entire month of March.
The desire for public recognition of women's history began when the women's movement of the 1960s caused women to question their invisibility in traditional American history texts. The movement also raised the aspirations of and the opportunities for women and produced a growing number of female historians.
Events happening throughout the month include:
- Women of Color Day – 5:30 p.m., March 1, Holden Hall 006. Academic scholars from across Texas Tech will host a forum, “The Souls of Black Girls: The Image of Women of Color in the Media,” an award-winning documentary by Daphne Valerius. The impact of media images on African-American women will be discussed.
- Suffragette – 6-8 p.m., March 8, English/Philosophy Building 0001. The Women's Studies Program will host a screening of the film “Suffragette” as a part of International Women's Day. The film brings the history of the suffrage movement in early 20th-century Britain to light.
- Bear Witness: When #SayHerName is Not Enough – noon to 1:20 p.m., March 24, Human Sciences 173. Kimberlé Crenshaw's TEDWomen talk about intersectionality and the combination of race and gender bias will be screened. This event is also a part of Texas Tech Diversity Week.
- Online Quizzes – Two online quiz options, “Test Your Knowledge” and “40 Question Challenge,” will be offered throughout the month. Both opportunities test knowledge of women in history. Weekly quizzes, designed by the National Women's History Project, will be posted using the group Facebook page and campus announcements.
The Women's Studies Program supports events by other departments during Women's History Month, such as:
- Women Who Shaped Texas Tech – March 1-31, University Library, Croslin Room, and the Southwest Collection Special Collections Library, hosted by Texas Tech Archives.
- Women in Service – 5-7 p.m., March 30, Student Union Building, Matador Room. The Cross-Cultural Academic Advancement Center hosts this program to provide a platform to discuss various factors pertaining to the shifting roles of women in the military.
- Trans Day of Visibility: Helping with the Journey for Transgender People – 9 a.m., March 31, Student Union Building, Caprock Room, hosted by the Office of LGBTQIA and the Center for Campus Life.
All events are free and open to the public. Visitor parking is available in designated areas.
The Women's Studies Program is a part of the Division of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement.
Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at Texas Tech Today Media Resources or follow us on Twitter.
