University News
WIU Celebrating Women's History Month
February 28, 2014
MACOMB, IL - March is National Women's History Month (NWHM), and the Western Illinois University Women's Center has released a calendar of events containing numerous relevant programs and activities happening throughout the month on campus and in the community.
Nationally, the celebration and recognition of women's historic achievements began in 1980, when National Women's History Week was first proclaimed. In 1987, this national celebration was expanded by Congressional resolution to include an entire month.
According to Molly Murphy MacGregor, executive director of the National Women's History Project (NWHP), each March, to unify the observance of National Women's History Month, a special theme is created. Women whose lives and extraordinary work exemplify the theme are selected as honorees. The theme for 2014 is "Celebrating Women of Character, Courage and Commitment."
WIU Women's Center Director Janine Cavicchia said several of this year's programs tie in with this theme, and the Women's Center is honoring Women of Character, Courage and Commitment with profiles posted daily on the Women's Center's Facebook page at Facebook.com/WIUWomensCenter.
Cavicchia said this year's NWHM keynote presentation at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, which will feature speaker JL Fields, ties in with the 2013-2014 University Theme of "Food and Drink: Mind, Body and Soul." Fields, a WIU alumna for both her bachelor's and master's degrees, is originally from Stronghurst, IL, and is co-author of "Vegan for Her: The Woman's Guide to Being Healthy and Fit on a Plant-based Diet!" She will speak at a luncheon catered by Carol Longley's Dietetics/Family and Consumer Sciences 356 Catering Management students, who will prepare some of the recipes contained in the book.
"JL plans to talk about veganism and nutrition, as well as how she professionalized her passion - moving from a career in higher education and nonprofit management to vegan cookbook author, health and wellness coach and career coaching others to follow their passion," Cavicchia said. Copies of "Vegan for Her" will be available for purchase, and Fields will be autographing them prior to and after the luncheon. Anyone who would like to attend the luncheon in the Multicultural Center and hear Fields speak should contact the Women's Center for reservations. In addition to the luncheon, Fields will be speaking to several groups throughout the day while she is on campus.
"We'd like to thank everyone who submitted programs and activities for this year's calendar and all presenters and sponsors, including the Feminist Action Alliance and the Macomb Feminist Network," Cavicchia said.
Below is a list of programs that have been submitted for this year's calendar of events. Except where noted, all programs are free and open to the public.
Feb. 24-28, and March 24-28
Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Multicultural Center first floor lobby
Girl Scout cookie sales ($4 per box)
WIU Campus Girl Scouts and Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
March 1 - 31
"Celebrating Women of Character, Courage and Commitment"
WHM Daily Postings facebook.com/WIUWomensCenter
March 1-31
Women's History Month Displays
Multicultural Center Showcase, University Union Showcase,
University Union Bookstore, Macomb City Hall,
WIU – QC Campus
March 1–31
Multicultural Center second Floor
Women's Art: Women's Vision Art Exhibit
*Meet the Artists Reception: Monday, March 17, 4-5:30 p.m.
March 1-31, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Western Hall-outside Hall of Fame Room
"A Historical Perspective of Women's Athletics
at Western Illinois University" Athletics exhibit
Sponsored by Intercollegiate Athletics
March 1-31, Mondays-Wednesdays, 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursdays, 8 a.m-9 p.m.,
Fridays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturdays, 1-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-9 p.m.
Music Library (Sallee Hall 108)
Lera Auerbach: Composer, Artist, Poet (Exhibit)
Saturdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, noon – 12:30 p.m.
WIUM 91.3 FM & WIUW 89.5 FM, Tri States Public Radio,
NPR's "51 Percent" radio program about women
Underwritten by the Western Organization for Women
Saturday, March 1, 10–11:30 a.m.
Multicultural Center Activity and Multipurpose Rooms
Macomb Feminist Network's
"Writing Women Back into History" awards brunch
Honoring Community Women
Saturday, March 1, 7 – 8 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.)
Outskirts Fun Center
Macomb Bombshell Roller Derby Bout
Wheelin' for Teal: Ovarian Cancer Benefit
$8 Students w/ ID; $10 non-students; 12 and under free
Tuesday, March 4, 10 a.m.–noon
Morgan Hall first floor lobby
Girl Scout Cookie Sales ($4 per box)
Sponsored by WIU CGS and Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
Tuesday, March 4, 7 p.m.
University Union Sandburg Theatre
"The Loving Story" Film Screening and Discussion
Sponsored by the University Libraries and
the Departments of African American Studies and History
Saturday, March 8
International Women's Day
Saturday, March 8–Sunday, March 16
Spring Break
Sunday, March 9 – Saturday, March 15
Girl Scout Week
Monday, March 17, 4–5:30 p.m.
Multicultural Center second Floor
Women's Art Exhibit Meet the Artists Reception
Wednesday, March 19, 11:45 a.m.– 1:15 p.m.
Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room
Women's History Month Luncheon & Keynote Speaker
featuring WIU alumna and "Vegan for Her" co-author JL Fields
Catered by Dietetics/FCS 356 Catering Management students
Wednesdays, March 19 and 26, April 2 and 9, 6–9 p.m.
Rape Aggression Defense Systems (RAD)
Self Defense for Women Class
Student Recreation Center
$20 by cash, check, or student ID
Sponsored by OPS, Women's Center, Campus Recreation,
Student Judicial Programs, University Counseling Center and the Vice President for Student Services Office
Thursday, March 20, 3–4 p.m.
Multicultural Center Board Room
Women Breaking Barriers: Women as Mentors
Sponsored by the Macomb Women's Club
and the Women's Studies Department
Thursday, March 20, 4:30 p.m.
Malpass Library Garden Lounge
"Character, Courage, and Commitment:
Women and War in a Global Perspective"
Sponsored by WIU Department of History and University Libraries
Thursday March 20 - Saturday March 22, 7:30 p.m.
Horrabin Theatre
"Educating Rita" a play by Willy Russell
$10 students with ID; $15 seniors; $20 general admission
(Not appropriate for children under 12)
Sponsored by Starry Night Repertory Theatre/Theatre and Dance
Monday, March 24 – Friday, March 28
Monday – Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Multicultural Center first floor lobby
Girl Scout Cookie Sales ($4 per box)
Sponsored by WIU Campus Girl Scouts and Girl Scouts of Central IL
Tuesday, March 25, 11a.m.–2 p.m.
Multicultural Center first floor Activity Room
2nd annual "Wise Latina Luncheon"
Featuring keynote speaker Lara Rios
Sponsored by Casa Latina Cultural Center
Wednesday, March 26, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Multicultural Center Multipurpose/Activity Rooms
Women's Center Red Cross Blood Drive
Wednesday, March 26, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.;
Friday March 28, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.;
Saturday, March 29, noon
Mary Ellen McKee Softball Stadium
Women's softball games
Sponsored by Intercollegiate Athletics
Saturday, March 29 – Sunday, March 30
Washington D.C.
Feminist Majority Foundation's 10th annual
National Young Feminist Leadership Conference
Feminist Action Alliance, the Women's Center, Women's Studies
Saturday, April 5, 3 p.m.
Sandburg Theater and Lounge
Annie Bosler, Hornist, Documentary Screening and Reception
Sponsored by WIU School of Music
Saturday, April 5, 6–9 p.m.
Multicultural Center first Floor Multipurpose and Activity Rooms
Equality Ball
Sponsored by Unity
Monday, April 7 and Tuesday, April 8, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
University Union Concourse
Equal Pay Day Resource and Information Tabling
Feminist Action Alliance
Friday, April 18, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Multicultural Center East Lawn; rain location: MC first floor
"The Clothesline Project" Display
A Sexual Assault Awareness Month program
T-shirt making sessions will be held in March and April
Call (309) 298-2242 to schedule a T-shirt making session
Sponsored by Victim Services, WIU Women's Center,
Feminist Action Alliance and University Counseling Center
Tuesday, April 22, noon–1 p.m.
Stipes 501
Western Organization for Women Spring Luncheon
Nominal charge for lunch
Friday, May 2, 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Multicultural Center Multipurpose/Activity Rooms
REAL Women Celebration Luncheon
Honoring Women's Center staff and volunteers, affiliated student
organization leaders and other supporters
Friday, May 2, 4–6 p.m.
Multicultural Center Multipurpose/Activity Rooms
"Women Breaking Barriers" Fundraising Reception
Sponsored by the Macomb Women's Club and Women's Studies Dept.
For more information about National Women's History Month, and for full list of the 2014 National Women's History Month Honorees and women's history celebration materials, visit nwhp.org. For more information on WIU activities, contact the WIU Women's Center at (309) 298-2242, or e-mail j-cavicchia@wiu.edu or visit wiu.edu/wc.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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