The Women’s Center is located in the fourth floor of the Student Union. There is a significant pay gap between genders and it is projected that the gap will not be closed until 2058 (Charlotte Lao/The Daily Campus)
The campus is abuzz with events and activities hosted by organizations in celebration of women’s history. That’s right. It’s March, which means it’s Women’s History Month! From the Women’s Center to the Rainbow Center to athletics, the University of Connecticut is looking forward to celebrate the inspiring women that have incited change and frequent our halls every day.
The month originated from a national celebration in 1981 when Congress “requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as ‘Women’s History Week,’” according to Women’s History Month’s official website. March was officially designated as Women’s History Month in 1987 after the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress. Congress passed additional resolutions between 1988 and 1994 so it could be proclaimed every year.
“Since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as ‘Women’s History Month,’” Women’s History Month’s official website says.
The American Women’s History Initiative, in parallel with the month, seeks to share women’s stories to “honor the past, inform the present and inspire the future.” The experiences shared will hopefully deepen our understanding of women’s contributions to the country and world over, demonstrating women’s development and how our country values equality.
The Women’s Center and SUBOG kicked off the month with “Women’s Herstory Month,” where Franchesca Ramsey, an actress, comedian and video blogger came to share her story in the Student Union theater Monday night. Later in the month, they will be hosting “The Other Mozart” in Jorgensen on March 14th, sharing the untold story of the talented Nannerl Mozart whose story paralleled that of her brother’s. At the end of the month, they will be hosting a film screening of “Hidden Figures” in McHugh 302, an apt way to celebrate the true story of three African-American women that made history working at NASA.
The Rainbow Center is also hosting some events to commemorate the month, such as with Twiggy Pucci Garcon, an LGBTQ+ activist, advocate and healer. Co-sponsored by the WGSS department, she will be coming to speak tonight in the Student Union theater at 7 p.m. about the NYC House Ballroom Community and to “give historic context of this performance art subculture from the early 1900s through the present and its influence on addressing LGBT youth homelessness through an intersectional lens,” according to aa description provided by the Rainbow Center. Garcon will also be speaking at the Rainbow Center’s weekly Out to Lunch lecture tomorrow about LGBTQ youth homelessness about America. By shedding light on the intersectionality of women’s part in advocating for other minority groups, we can continue to work together going forward.
It’s always important all year round to appreciate women and the work they have done for us, but be sure to appreciate all that encompasses women’s history this month!
Hollie Lao is a campus correspondent for The Daily Campus. She can be reached via email at hollianne.lao@uconn.edu.
