(Posted February 10, 2018)

Huntingdon, Pa. - Throughout the month of March, various offices and organizations at Juniata College will be hosting events celebrating Women’s “Herstory” Month, a month that acknowledges and celebrates the many contributions to history made by women. All events are free and open to the public.

“The first class of three Juniatians in 1876 included two women,” says Matthew Damschroder, vice president for student life & dean of students at the College. “Since then, women students, faculty and staff have contributed significantly to the campus and its outcomes. I’m excited for the Juniata community to take part in March’s multiple opportunities to talk and learn about women and gender. Such exploration embodies our mission.”

Events kick off with “Women in STEM,” a talk by Uma Ramakrishnan, professor of environmental science and studies. On Monday, March 5 at 7 p.m. in Room C116 of Brumbaugh Academic Center Room, Ramakrishnan will speak about being a woman in the environmental science field.

A Beyond Tolerance series event will follow on Wednesday, March 7 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Alumni Hall, Brumbaugh Academic Center. Composer Ysaye Barnwell will present “Building a Vocal Community: Singing in the African American Tradition.” (More info available at www.juniata.edu/diversity.)

On the following day, Thursday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in C116, Brumbaugh Academic Center, the College’s chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will host a panel, “Gender Roles from Four Continents,” to discuss the practices, treatment, challenges and opportunities of women around the world. Panel members will include Jimena Alviar Rueda, Spanish foreign language teaching assistant; Aurore Bissieres, French foreign language teaching assistant; and students Nazia Jahangir and Ruhama Gari, who will share perspectives from Colombia, Ethiopia, France, Ireland and Pakistan. 

On Friday, March 9 at p.m., the Juniata Activities Board will host “Boobie Bingo: Exploring Women’s History Through a Campus Favorite” in Baker Refectory, Ellis Hall.

Following bingo, the Juniata Student Theater Ensemble will hold “Java, Readings and Monologues” Wednesday, March 14 at 7 p.m. in Eagles Landing, which is located on the second floor of Ellis Hall.

Following the College’s spring break, on Monday, March 26 at 4 p.m., the L. A. Beeghly Library will hold a one-item, one-hour event, “Women of Juniata: Think About Who We Were,” a student-led series of short presentations focused on women students’ accomplishments during and after their time at Juniata. Research materials will be drawn from the College archives that may include yearbook photos, Juniata Echo articles or Juniatian articles.

On Tuesday, March 27 at 7 p.m., the Juniata chapter of AAUW will hold a panel, “Deeper in Debt,” to discuss AAUW’s most recent report regarding the unequal effects that student loan debt has on women. Panelists will recommend actions to address these issues and provide advice regarding student loans. The presentation will take place in the Fellowship Hall of the Stone Church of the Brethren.

On March 28 at 4:30 p.m. in Sill Boardroom, von Liebig Center for Science, several women leaders of Juniata will present “#MeToo: A Movement or a Moment? Calling Out Sexual Harassment & Assault.” The presentation, which is part of the College’s Democracy and Diversity series, will feature panelists Lauren Bowen, Provost and professor of politics; Amanda Page, assistant professor of English; Ellen Campbell, assistant dean of students; and Erin Paschal, director of student engagement. Each will explore the #MeToo movement and its potential representation of a tipping point on sexual harassment and assault.

On Thursday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m., the Juniata Men’s Group and PAX-O will cohost a dinner and dialogue event, “Silence Breakers Movement: What is my role in the conversation?” in the Fellowship Hall of Stone Church of the Brethren. Daniel Cook-Huffman, associate dean of student affairs and title IX coordinator, will prompt discussion over an all-you-can-eat pasta dinner.

Other programming efforts include a PAX-O club-coordinated display in Baker Refectory, a display in Founders Hall that will be coordinated by the Dean of Students Office, a Governing Girls Leadership Conference and an Equal Pay Day bake sale bake sale in Ellis Hall on April 10 sponsored by the Juniata chapter of the AAUW.

To celebrate “Women’s Herstory Month” and explore the contributions of women to the College, please join the College for these various opportunities. Additional information is available at www.juniata.edu/womenshistory.

 

--Written by Taylor Smallwood ’19-- 

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.