News 2024: Women’s History Month 2024

The Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality hosts events to celebrate and educate

The UMass Dartmouth Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality has organized campus-wide events to commemorate the 29th annual Women’s History Month and educate students, faculty, and staff about women’s experiences and contributions.

According to the Library of Congress, Women’s History Month originated as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28, which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982, as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress passed joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9, which designated March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate women’s contributions to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made in various fields throughout American history.

Where the F*#k are the Women? Representation Matters!

• March 4 at 12 p.m. in the Library Grand Reading Room
• A panel of movie buffs, Dr. Anupama Arora (English & Communication and Women’s & Gender Studies), Dr. Katherine DuLuca (English), Dr. Juli Parker (Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality), & Daizha Reed (WGS student) apply the Bechdel test to this year’s Oscar-nominated movies.

The Price of Water: Gendered Analysis of Water Contamination Related to Fracking

• March 6 at 12 p.m., in the Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality (Campus Center 207)
• As part of the annual Women’s History Month faculty speaker series, Dr. Kristen McHenry (Health & Society and Political Science) presents The Price of Water: Gendered Analysis of Water Contamination Related to Fracking.

Feminist Translation Studies & Transnational Solidarities

• March 20 at 12 p.m., in the Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality (Campus Center 207)
• As part of the annual Women’s History Month faculty speaker series, Dr. Katie Krafft (Crime & Justice Studies) presents Feminist Translation Studies & Transnational Solidarities.

Working 9-5 in Fiction and Reality Screening of 9-5: The Story of a Movement and 9-5 the Movie

• March 25 at 4 p.m., in the Library Grand Reading Room
• Special guest: Jessica Tang, President of the Boston Teachers’ Union.
• This screening is co-sponsored by the Arnold M. Dubin Labor Education Center. 

What Can I Do with a Women & Gender Studies Degree?

• March 26 from 12 to 2 p.m., in the Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality (Campus Center 207)
• Come meet Women & Gender Studies (WGS) faculty and staff with WGS degrees to learn more!

Sappho, Parody, and Politics

• March 27 at 12 p.m., in the Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality (Campus Center 207)
• As part of the annual Women’s History Month faculty speaker series, Dr. Caroline Gelmi (English & Communication) will present Sappho, Parody, Politics.

Lunch and Learn:  History of Black Women's Hair & The Crown Act with Shahidah Ali

• March 28 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. in the Frederick Douglass Unity House
• Shahidah Ali is a public speaker, black homeownership dream builder, and entrepreneur. Former co-owner of the Mixx Hair Bar & Beauty Supply, in Providence, Ri, which catered to Black Natural Hair products and education, Shahidah remains passionate about increasing the visibility of black women's history. Her work includes delivering trainings and workshops in educational, corporate and healthcare professionals, including Southcoast Health. Shahida Alil will present on the history of hair as an integral part of African society and the integration of African and American cultures, including the impact it had on hair and its assimilation. Discussion will also include the discrimination of hair expression which led to the passage of the Crown Act.
• Co-Sponsors:  Academic Advising & Support, College of Nursing & Health Sciences; Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality, Frederick Douglass Unity House and the Health & Society Program