Close

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH 2023

SDSU Celebrates Women's History Month

History of Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month began as a “Women’s History Week” in 1978, led by the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women. Since women’s history was virtually non-existent in the K-12 curriculum at the time, dozens of schools hosted special programs and classroom presentations, and also closed out the week with a celebratory parade in downtown Santa Rosa, California.

The following year, multiple organizations, communities and school districts across the United States were inspired to plan their own Women’s History Week celebrations and in 1980 the National Women’s History Project (now known as the National Women’s History Alliance) lobbied for national recognition.

In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History week. By 1986, 14 states had declared the entirety of March as Women’s History Month. Then, in 1987, Congress passed Public Law 100-9, which authorized March as Women’s History Month to honor women’s achievements and contributions to American history.

"The Gender Binary in Nature: A Talk with Dr. Joan Roughgarden" 3/1, 1-2:30pm in Scripps Cottage - This event will feature a talk by ecologist and evolutionary biologist, Joan Roughgarden, whose work addresses the biology of sex and rejects any notions of biological essentialism (the idea that sex is easily identified within biological features within the binary of male/female). Roughgarden, who is a Trans woman, debunks many of the myths and scientific theories that have created harmful ideas surrounding gender, sexuality, and womanhood more broadly. This event is co-sponsored by the WRC, Biology Department, Mathematics Department, and LGBTQ+ Studies.

"Sesali Bowen, Author of Bad Fat Black Girl" 3/1, 6-7:30pm in Theater, Student Union - Sesali Bowen is a cultural critic whose work touches on topics ranging from trap feminism, queerness, fatphobia, and misogyny. Through her work, Bowen provides women and femmes of color a sense of belonging and representation which is often lacking for Black Indigenous Women of Color (BIWOC) in academia. This event is sponsored by the Department of Women's Studies.

"Women in STEM Support Group" 3/2, 4-5pm in the WRC Library - The Women in STEM Support Group is a safe space where women, gender expansive, and non binary students in STEM can gather to discuss increasing equity and access in STEM fields through faculty led lectures, peer supported social spaces, & study sessions. On March 2nd, the group will feature Maricruz Carillo, a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering, who will guide a conversation on professional development, envisioning your future career, and making vision boards. This event is sponsored by the WRC.

"She's Sure" 3/3, 12-2pm in Scripps Cottage - We are a part of the new generation of women pursuing a higher education. We are future doctors, lawyers, educators, engineers, social workers (and so much more) that are setting the example for the generation after us, just as the one before us did. Although the days of misogyny and patriarchy are not completely behind us, it is up to us to look out for one another, to educate one another, and most importantly to empower one another. For Women's History Month, Women in Medicine will host a women's empowerment summit with inspirational speakers and women-led/based organizations on campus. This event will highlight the Women in Science Society, Betty Boarders, Women in Physics, Planned Parenthood Generation Action, and Girl Gains.

"PPSI Resource Fair" 3/6, 3-6pm in Scripps Cottage - You and your family are invited to our 2nd annual Pregnant and Parenting Student Resource Fair at SDSU! We will be providing free pizza, opportunity drawings with fun give-aways, activities for the kids, and an array of helpful resources for you, the parenting student! The fair is open to all SDSU students and will be focused on those who are parents and/or pregnant. We look forward to seeing you and your loved ones! This event is sponsored by the WRC, Basic Needs Center, Student Parent and Allies Association, EOPOS, and the PPSI committee.

"Misogynoir and Digital Resistance: A Talk with Dr. Moya Bailey" 3/8, 1-2:30pm - RSVP via bit.ly/moyabailey to join Dr. Moya Bailey, co-author of #HashtagActivism: Networks of Race and Gender Justice and author Misogynoir Transformed: Black Women’s Digital Resistance, to learn the ways in which social media can be used to promote social justice and storytelling. This event is co-sponsored by the SDSU Black Resource Center, SDSU Women's Studies Department, SDSU Africana Studies Department, UC San Diego Women's Center, and USD Women's Commons.

"Women in Leadership Conference" 3/9, 12-4pm in Montezuma Hall, Student Union - The Women in Leadership Conference, organized by the SDSU Fowler College of Business, is a half-day of engaging presentations, a panel discussion, interactive workshop, and a networking reception. The program is designed to focus on the specific issues females face in the workplace while equipping students with the skills and confidence they’ll need to thrive both as professionals and individuals. The panels and workshops feature a variety of successful female leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts aiming to inspire each attendee while reimagining a more equitable world. These events are free and open to all members of the SDSU community and students from all majors.

"Raise the Vibration" 3/9-3/11, 7-9pm in Theatre, Student Union - Raise the Vibration, an entirely student written, produced, directed, and performed show composed of student written pieces that seek to highlight voices that have previously been ignored, oppressed, or unheard. The show is put on by V-Day SDSU, an art and activism student organization at SDSU that seeks to raise awareness on social justice issues. Raise the Vibration is a fundraiser, and all proceeds from the show go directly to social change work for women and girls in our community. Raise the Vibration will be co-sponsored by Tijuana Home Build, the Geography Club, and the Sailing Club.

"Queer Femme Healing Circle" 3/13, 2-3pm in the Pride Center Library - Queer Femme Community Circle is a safe space to connect with other femmes and discuss the lived experiences of queerness and being femme-presenting. This week's support group will be focusing on how the queer femme experience and radical self care are intertwined, and how we can use knowledge and tools to take care of ourselves. Coloring pages will be available while we talk as a community. QFHC is co-sponsored by the WRC and Pride Center.

"Rebound: Film Screening & Panel" 3/13, 6-9pm in Theater, Student Union - Join us as we continue Women's History Month with a debut screening of Rebound at SDSU. Carrying the weight of motherhood, trauma, and incarceration, two women find healing and hope through sisterhood, service, and education. Following the screening will be a panel that features the director, co-director, and film participants. This event is co-sponsored by the WRC, School of Public Affairs, Project Rebound Student Alliance, and KPBS.

"Harvesting Dreams: Defying the Odds to Achieve the American Dream" 3/14, 3-4pm in Mata'yuum Suite, Student Union - SDSU alumni Erica Alfaro is an award-winning author, keynote speaker, and education advocate. Her story became known in 2019 when her graduation pictures went viral and made headlines around the world. She was featured in major media outlets such as CNN, The Huffington Post, and Yahoo News. Alfaro's captivating and personal story of overcoming obstacles and accomplishing the near impossible has earned her recognition within Latinx and Undocumented communities. She overcame the obstacles of being a high school dropout, teen mother, single mother, and domestic violence survivor. This event is co-sponsored by the Undocumented Resource Center, Latinx Resource Center, and WRC.

"A Talk with Dr. Jenny T. Wang, Author of Permission to Come Home" 3/14, 4:30-6:30pm in Templo Mayor, Student Union - The recent tragedies in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay not only devastated the AAPI community, but also revealed the anxiety and vulnerability Asian Americans continue to face. "Permission to Come Home," by Dr. Jenny T. Wang takes Asian Americans on an empowering journey toward reclaiming their mental health. Join us for an intimate discussion with Dr. Wang as she offers permission to return closer to home, a place of acceptance, belonging, healing, and freedom. This event is sponsored by AAPI(phany).

"Cafe for Women of Color" 3/15, 4-5pm in the Center for Intercultural Relations - A brave space to connect and share our lived experiences as women of color on campus. This monthly program is for current SDSU students. This recurring program is a collaboration between the Center for Intercultural Relations and the Women’s Resource Center. Topics include relationships, beauty standards, discrimination in the workplace, imposter syndrome, and art.

"Women in STEM Support Group" 3/16, 4-5pm at the WRC Library - The Women in STEM Support Group is a safe space where women, gender expansive, and non binary students in STEM can gather to discuss increasing equity and access in STEM fields through faculty led lectures, peer supported social spaces, & study sessions. On March 16, the group will host College of Engineering Advisor, Liza Oviedo, and cover SDSU STEM resources.

"Let's Talk Reproductive Options with URGE" 3/21, 1-2:30pm in Mata'yuum Suite, Student Union - Join United for Reproductive & Gender Equity (URGE) and the Women's Resource Center to learn about medication abortion access on campus. Attendees will also be invited to play Kahoot to win some swag! 

"Black Women's Healing Circle" 3/21, 5-6:30pm in the BRC Media Center - Black Women’s Healing Circle is a gathering for all Black women (students, faculty, and staff) to have a safe space and dialogue around identity and lived experiences. The monthly healing circle is a collaboration between the Black Resource Center and Women’s Resource Center. Topics include self love, confidence, self care, and other topics related to Black womanhood. 

"Historias y Recetas" 3/22, 1-2pm in Mata'yuum Suite, Student Union - Join the SDSU Latina Network to discuss the duality of women, success stories of Latinas in our community, and ways that family recipes and personal narratives are intertwined. Bring your own lunch, disfrutémos la buena compañía, and let's catch up with each other! If you can't join us in person, we will have a zoom option available.

"Latinas Lideres in STEAM" - Please note this event is postponed to a tentative date of  September 28 (still to be held at the Imperial Valley Campus), with a part two on October 5 in the San Diego Campus.

"First Gen Series Presents Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez" 3/23, 5-7pm in Templo Mayor, Student Union - Mojica Rodríguez, author of "For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts: A Love Letter to Women of Color" will speak about her experiences navigating academia as a first generation student and woman of color. Prisca will lead attendees through her book, which covers topics on "Surviving in Primarily White Institutions as a POC" and "Self Preservation as a First Generation College Student". This intimate reading and discussion aims to represent SDSU students from diverse backgrounds, amplify diverse experiences, highlight empowering women of color like  Mojica Rodríguez, and foster an educational space of healing and restoration. Prisca's book "For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts: A Love Letter to Women of Color" will be provided to facilitate through the reading engagements while supplies last.

 

Calendar