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VWU Pays Tribute to Women's History Month
The Women's Resource Center announces series of special events
University News | February 26, 2019
The month of March is designated as National Women's History Month. During this month, the Women's Resource Center at Virginia Wesleyan has organized a series of special events with support from several campus and community groups, including The Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, the Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery, the VWU Political Science Department and Women’s & Gender Studies Program, Batten Honors College, and Wesleyan Engaged.
“The array of events for Women's History Month not only shows the diverse issues that women faced in the past, but also raises awareness about the accomplishments, as well as the challenges, that many women face in today's world, both domestically and internationally," says Jennifer Slivka, Director of the Women's Resource Center and Associate Professor of English. "The discussions arising out of these events are important for both women and men as we move toward gender equality in our society."
VWU is proud to celebrate the vital contributions of women throughout history and in our contemporary society through the following 2019 Women’s History Month events:
Let's Talk about Sex: the Personal and the Political
Thursday, February 28
11 a.m. - noon, Pearce Hospitality Suite, Batten Student Center
Join the Women's Resource Center and the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood for an interactive discussion on reproductive justice and sexual health. At this event, you will learn about the framework and history of Reproductive Justice and get answers to pressing questions about sexual health from a Planned Parenthood educator. The event is free and open to the VWU campus community.
The Politics of the Headscarf in the United States
Thursday, March 7
11 a.m. - noon, Blocker Auditorium
Dr. Aubrey Westfall will discuss the way the practice of Muslim American women wearing a headscarf accentuates and engages Muslim identity in uniquely American ways, engaging with ideas of democracy, civil rights, and feminism. Dr. Westfall is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Wheaton College in Norton, MA. Her work is focused on identity and minority politics in Europe and North America. The talk is part of The Lighthouse Center's On Deck Speaker Series and is co-sponsored by the Women's Resource Center, the Political Science Dept., and the Women's & Gender Studies Program. The event is free and open to the public.
Dress a Girl Around the World
Friday, March 8
1-5 p.m., Boyd Dining Center East
On Friday, March 8, International Women’s Day, the Women’s Resource Center, the Batten Honors College, and Wesleyan Engaged are hosting “Dress A Girl Around the World” event in Boyd Center East, from 1-5 p.m. Dress a Girl Around the World is a Campaign under Hope 4 Women International, a non-denominational independent Christian organization that provides girls in need with clothing in countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. Various stations for cutting and sewing will be set up to construct these dresses. All volunteers are welcome, both sewers and non-sewers alike! Light refreshments will be served. The event is open to the campus and surrounding communities. Stop by at any time during the event to lend a hand!
Women in the Arts
Thursday, March 14
11 a.m. - noon, Greer Environmental Sciences Center, Room 255
A panel of women working in the fields of Music (Dr. Wayla Chambo of WHRO), Theatre (Sibel Galindez of Zeiders American Dream Theater) and Art (Karen Rudd of Norfolk Arts) will share their experiences working in the Arts, as well as answer questions about navigating that world as a woman. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit the Women’s Resource Center at VWU.