Danielle Sheahan
As Missouri University of Science and Technology’s (S&T) Black History Month nears an end, Women’s History Month will begin on March 1st. Please know that the Celebration of the Black Experience is Friday, February 23rd and that tickets are still on sale for “Dinner to Jazz - A Southern Taste,” which is on Saturday, February 24th.
S&T will be celebrating Women’s History Month in our own, unique S&T way. It is important to celebrate Women’s History because our society is still in transition and fighting to make things like equal pay and access to information about what to do in sexual harassment situations mandatory for work settings. It is even more important to celebrate Women’s History Month on MS&T’s campus since STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) fields are notorious for having more males than females. There is a softer side to celebrating, for instance, when asking a female S&T student about what Women’s History Month on our campus is she responded with the following. “I have no idea about it, other than celebrating all of the diverse women in our world and their contributions to society through the arts, science, humanitarian work, etc.” - Elizabeth Edwards, Senior in Civil Engineering In short, we need more education and awareness about what women’s history is and S&T hopes to take on that responsibility.
The wonderful team at Student Diversity, Outreach and Women’s Programs has organized a well thought out set of events starting on March 1st at 9:30 AM till 1:00 PM. The kickoff will start at the Student Diversity, Outreach and Woman’s Programs Building (605 W. 11th Street) at 9:30 AM with breakfast and supplies to make your very own women’s suffrage march sash. At 10:30 AM the Suffrage March will begin at the Diversity House and will end at the Havener Center, where the Miner Wellness will be hosting Wellness Screenings from 11:00 AM till 1:00 PM. Thursday, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. From 7:00 PM till 8:30 PM at the Southwestern Bell Cultural Center (1207 North Elm Street), there will be a few different international women speaking about their life experiences. The theme is “A Walk Around the World in Her Shoes.” Through this theme, they hope to be able to relate to other women who might have similar problems and help them grow stronger. Not to mention that snacks will also be provided!
On Friday, March 9th, from 6:30 PM till 8:30 PM, there will be a free screening to students. The Peace Corp is sponsoring this screening of the documentary “Girl Rising.” Said event will be held in Bertelsmeyer B10 and there will be a brief discussion afterward. Again, there will be snacks provided! To which I say, “om-nom-nom-nom.”
From March 11th to the 17th, there will be White Ribbon Fundraiser and the proceeds will go to the Russell House. The white ribbons symbolize a personal pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women. This fundraiser will be going on throughout our most loved, Annual Best Ever St. Pat’s, so please let alumni and friends coming in from different schools know about it and urge them to support.
Last but not least, on Thursday, March 22nd, 5:00 PM till 6:30 PM in St. Pat’s Ballroom in Havener, there will be a Chocolate Lounge and Inspirational Women Testimonies. We invite everyone, who is waiting for spring break to finally arrive, to come eat chocolate and be inspired by females on the S&T campus. We encourage more volunteers to share inspirational women testimonies. If you would like to be a testimonial volunteer, please contact Shannon Cox at coxshannon@mst.edu.
It is important to encourage all students, faculty and staff to join in the celebration of Women’s History Month and at least attend one of the many events coming up this March. It is important because the more education and awareness brought to women’s history, the more likely people will want to do something to help women who are in need. Please come out and contribute to a movement toward change, if not for a free snacks.
