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Honoring Women’s History Month
Keynote speakers and special events pay tribute to the vital role of women in society
University News | March 1, 2024
During the month of March, in honor of Women's History Month and International Women's Day, special events are planned throughout the Òùµ´ÉÙ¸¾ campus. Organized by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, they are designed to heighten awareness and celebrate the vital role of women throughout history and in contemporary society.
Each year, the identifies a theme for this special month; the 2024 theme is "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” According to the Alliance, the theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions. Women from every background have long realized that an uneven playing field will never bring equality or justice. Many feel the critical need to speak up and work harder for fairness in our institutions and social interactions.
Women’s History Month Events at VWU
During the month of March, the Women’s History Month Periodic Table, which provides information about prominent figures in women’s history, will be on display outside the Office of Campus Life in the Jane P. Batten Student Center.
The Offices of Student Engagement and Recreation and Wellness kick off Women’s History Month with the social media trending “Hot Girl Walk” series on March 1 at 2:30 p.m. starting in the Harbor Grill. Open to the entire campus community, the series of walks unites community members in a way that promotes mental and physical wellness that is accessible and inclusive for all. A second walk will take place on March 5 at 4 p.m., beginning in Batten Lobby. This “FinZone” Walk in your best Marlin gear, will culminate at the Women’s Lacrosse game at 5 p.m. on Birdsong Field to cheer on the Marlins as they take on Neumann University. The third walk is scheduled for March 13, a Sunset Walk that includes Twilight Volleyball at 7 p.m. in The Cove. On March 28, the Walk Finale concludes with Women’s History Night Trivia at 6:30 p.m. in Harbor Grill.
From March 1 – 8, the Panhellenic Council will be hosting a donation drive to benefit Samaritan House in Virginia Beach, an organization that helps individuals and families free themselves from domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and homelessness in Hampton Roads. Donations may be brought to the Office of Student Engagement in the Batten Student Center.
On March 6 and 7 at 11:30 a.m., a “Women in the Workforce” Career Fair will be held in the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Be sure to visit the booth with information about historical figures, the pay gap, and current women’s movements.
On March 7 at 11 a.m., “Thank a Woman” will take place in Kramer Lounge. Sponsored by the Office of Counseling Services, this card-writing event provides the opportunity to write notes of appreciation to influential women in our lives.
For the first time in the history of the NCAA, all three divisions are led by women. Virginia Wesleyan is delighted to welcome Louise McCleary, NCAA Vice President for Division III, to campus on Thursday, March 7, at 11:15 a.m. for a special discussion with student-athletes and coaches.
On March 7 at noon, the Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies program is hosting New York Times best-selling author Nancy Redd in Blocker Auditorium. Redd, a Harvard graduate, is a GLAAD-award nominated on-air host and NAACP Image Award-nominated writer, as well as a former Miss Virginia. She will present “YOU Can Make HERstory: How the Past and Your Present Shape Our Future.” Redd has dedicated her multifaceted career to encouraging self-confidence and inclusive representation in all facets of mainstream media. She has published several children's books, hosts a podcast, and is also a health journalist and author of THE REAL BODY MANUAL, an all-gender photographic health and wellness book, due to come out in 2024. A book signing will follow her presentation which is free and open to the public.
At 7 p.m. on March 7, the Robert Nusbaum Center will host “Faith in Action: Women Empowering Communities for Transformational Change,” in Brock Commons. A dynamic group of women of faith will share their experiences and insights on their journeys to become agents of change in the community. These remarkable women represent diverse backgrounds and serve as a testament to the transformative power of faith when combined with intentional and action-oriented initiatives. The Panelists include: Rev. Dr. Veronica Coleman (Pastor of New Jerusalem Ministries in Virginia Beach, Interdenominational Ministers Conference); Rabbi Ellen Jaffe-Gill (Reconstructionist rabbi, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy); Amanda Pine (Christian Faith Formation Director at King’s Grant Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach, Interfaith Alliance at the Beach); Teresa Stanely (Roman Catholic, Coordinates the Interspiritual Empowerment Project of Virginia Organizing); Areen Syed (Muslim, 2023 Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate).
On March 8 at 2 p.m., the Office of Counseling Services will host “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.” Students, staff, and faculty of all gender identities are invited to “walk a mile” in high heels to create awareness and confront gender stereotypes and expectations. The event begins in Harbor Grill.
On March 26 from 5-6 p.m., there will be an introductory clinic, “The Strength of Women,” in the Fitness Center in the Batten Student Center. Especially designed for women, this program will introduce women of all fitness experiences to the Center to learn more about the facility.