University News

WIU Celebrates Women's History Month Throughout March

February 28, 2022

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MACOMB, IL -- The Women's Center at Western Illinois University will host Women's History Month throughout March. This year, WIU is supporting the National Women's History Month theme of "Providing Healing, Promoting Hope," and fighting for equality so we may have a more sustainable future.

This month is dedicated to learning how to love our bodies and celebrating the aspects that make us unique. "This year, we are celebrating the accomplishments and achievements of women, while also supporting their mental and physical well-being," said WIU Women's Center Graduate Assistant Damiloka Abiodun-Adewusi.

Other activities in support of this theme include workshops, films, discussions, fitness and health through yoga and self-care are designed to inform, inspire and empower.

This year's national theme is a homage to caregivers and frontline workers' tireless efforts throughout the current pandemic, as well as a commemoration of the many ways women of all cultures have brought healing and hope throughout history.

"While our mission to fight for women's equality impacts lives every day, it is amazing to be able to celebrate this work throughout the month of March," said WIU Graduate Assistant Haley Rednour.


Events surrounding this celebration include:

• Monday, Feb. 28 and Tuesday, March 1: Love Your Body Baskets – RSVP pick-up at the Women's Center: In support of Love Your Body Week, Feb. 28-March 4, self-care baskets, promoting positivity and self-love will be distributed to students who completed the RSVP. This event is presented by the Women's Center.

• Tuesday, March 1, 4-5 p.m., Women's Center lounge: Your Body, Your Right to Know – This discussion and educational event focuses on mental and physical health, laws related to health and consent and resources available to students. This event is presented by the Women's Center.

• Wednesday, March 2, 5-6:30 p.m., Multicultural Center: Women Appreciation: Jewelry Making with the Poodles – Join Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and the Women's Center for bracelet making and conversations on positive body image.

• Thursday, March 3

- 4 p.m., Multicultural Center: Beauty and the Social Beast – Join Amplify and Beyond Beautiful in their collaborative effort to discuss social media's influence on society's beauty standards.

- 6-8 p.m., Multicultural Center Dance Studio - Jo-Yo: Love in Motion – Kayla Becker will conduct a journaling, meditation and yoga session to promote body positivity and physical and mental health. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat if they have one. This event is presented by the Women's Center.

• Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Multicultural Center: Gwendolyn Girls Retreat – The Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center and the Women's Center will host a support, discussion and bonding event with a focus on Black female students.

• Tuesday, March 8, 4:30 p.m., Multicultural Center: Personal Financial Growth Workshop – The Women's Center has partnered with financial expert Julie-Ann Pickett to discuss what participants should know about credit, debit, loans, credit cards and more.

• Wednesday, March 9, 6-7:30 p.m., Multicultural Center – "Oye Mami" presentation and discussion - The Casa Latina Cultural Center, Women's Center and the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access presents a conversation and craft session. They will be discussing the sexualization of Latina women.

• Thursday, March 10, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Multicultural Center – Beautifully Wrapped – Come learn how to tie headwraps and learn about the history of headwraps. Limited headwraps will be available for participants. This event is sponsored by the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center and the WIU Women's Center.

• Monday, March 14-Friday, March 18 - Spring Break

• Tuesday, March 22

- Noon-2 p.m., Resource Center: What's the "T"?: Gender and Sexuality in the Workplace – The LGBT*QA Resource Center and the WIU Women's Center examine gender and sexuality through the lens of inclusivity in an open and supportive space.

- 4-5:30 p.m., MCC Dance Studio: Women's Empowerment Panel – This event will focus on empowering women with affirmation activities that remind participants of their strength. Presented by Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority and the Women's Center.

• Thursday, March 24, 6:30 p.m., Sandburg Lounge: Women's History Month Movie Night and Discussion – The Veterans Resource Center and the Women's Center will host a film and discussion on women in the military.

• Sunday, March 27, 10 a.m.-noon, Campus Recreation: Women on Weights – Campus Recreation will host informational sessions on different lifting areas such as Olympic lifting, free weights and machines, including the cybex area in hopes of empowering women through lifting and teaching different ways of using the weight room at the Recreation Center.

• Tuesday, March 29, 2-3 p.m., COFAC Recital Hall: Women's History Month Concert with Associate Professor Anita Hardeman – The School of Music presents Hardeman's MUS489 class recital.

• Wednesday, March 30, 2-5 p.m., Multicultural Center: Wednesdays with the Women's Center: Orgs and BeYOUtiful – The Women's Center highlights WIU student organizations, with a discussion and focus on gender and identity.

• Thursday, March 31, 6-7:30 p.m., Multicultural Center: A Writing Workshop with Nora Brooks Blakely, the daughter of Gwendolyn Brooks leads an interactive workshop on her mom's writing, her own writing and the creative writing of workshop participants.

All participants, at all of the events, are expected to follow COVID-19 guidelines.

For more information about any of the events, email mcc@wiu.edu. For more information about the national celebration of Women's History Month, visit nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/2022-theme. For additional information on the Women's History Month commemoration at WIU contact the Women's Center at (309) 298-2242.





Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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