Every March, the NC State Women’s Center celebrates Women’s HERstory Month with a slate of programs and events open to the entire Wolfpack as well as the surrounding community. In line with the Women’s Center’s 30th anniversary this year, Women’s HERstory Month programs will focus on “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Envisioning the Future.”
In recognition of the theme, the center will host an exhibit, Our Stories Matter: Redefining HERstory and the Meaning of Empowerment through the Times, on the evening of March 30, 2022 in the Innovation Studio at Hill Library. In collaboration with NC State Libraries, Women’s Center staff and student leaders dug deep into the archives to uncover milestones, artifacts and treasures that highlight women who have paved the way for others by breaking barriers, opening the doors of possibility and inspiring students to make a change. The exhibit features audio interviews that highlight the stories of impactful women from the past, present and future who have contributed to the advancement of the Women’s Center’s work. In addition to first-hand stories, the exhibit highlights physical and digital artifacts that will remain on display until June 30, 2022.
In conjunction with the exhibit, the Women’s Center also welcomes four leaders who will engage in an intergenerational dialogue to share their perspectives on the past, present and future of the Women’s Center. We will hear from Arian Farhat, ’24; Karey Harwood, professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Kahlia Phillips, ’19; and Evelyn Reiman, co-founder of the Women’s Center. Lisa LaBarbera-Mascote, senior director of the Campus Community Centers, will moderate. For more information about the event, visit go.ncsu.edu/WCTurns30.
In addition, the Women’s Center will also host two programs centered around International Women’s Day on March 8, 2022. The first event, International Women’s Day Celebration, will offer a fun and interactive way to learn about diverse and influential women in politics, entertainment, activism and science by testing participants’ knowledge in a Jeopardy-style game. The second event, WomenNC Interest Meeting, will provide information for undergraduate students who are interested in learning more about a unique opportunity to engage in a year-long gender equity and leadership development program focused on conducting social science research and advocating for policy change at the local, national and international levels.
Another exciting program to draw your attention is a special Feminist Friday feature on March 25, 2022, I’m Every Woman: An Interactive Storytelling Workshop. During this workshop, faculty, staff and students will engage with the artistic mediums of poetry, painting or collage to tell their personal narratives. The event is an interactive, creative and reflective space to process moments from our individual pasts and develop confidence, understanding and community. Amelia Lumpkin, a community-based theater practitioner and storyteller, will lead the workshop.
More details about these events, along with many others, can be found at go.ncsu.edu/WHM. Please join us in honoring the past, celebrating the present, and envisioning the future.
Janine Kossen is interim director of the Women’s Center.