University News
A Message from WIU President Guiyou Huang: Women's History Month
March 2, 2022
Dear University Community,
In 1981, Congress passed a public law which authorized and requested the President of the United States to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as "Women's History Week." Five years after the first "Women's History Week," Congress passed a new public law which designated the entire month of March as "Women's History Month." At Western Illinois University, we are proud to join in the celebration recognizing the achievements that women have made over the course of history.
The WIU Women's Center, the Multicultural Center and other University programs and departments have several events and programs scheduled to commemorate Women's History Month (WHM), as well as International Women's Day on March 8. This year's WHM theme is "Providing Healing, Promoting Hope." More information about the 2022 celebration can be found at wiu.edu/news.
Like last month's letter commemorating February as Black History Month, the recognition and awareness for Black culture and history, women's achievements and accomplishments and more, should not stop when these annual celebrations conclude. As an institution of higher education, it is our responsibility to foster learning and understanding of underserved populations, along with the promotion of equality and equity for all.
The Women's Center, along with Beyond Beautiful, Campus Girl Scouts, the Feminist Action Alliance, the Western Organization for Women and more, embraces a welcoming and gender-inclusive campus community, and advocates for gender equity through examinations of feminisms, sexism, patriarchy and misogyny. The Center provides wonderful opportunities to celebrate women, collaborate in programming and outreach, and seek unity and understanding to raise awareness for women's issues.
Thank you to the women of WIU's past for paving the way for the women of Western today, including the first female faculty members in 1902: Laura Hazle, Winifred Schwartz, Margaret Dunbar, Edna Keith and Cora Hamilton. I appreciate the achievements and accomplishments of our female faculty, staff and students, and I express my gratitude to each of you for your many contributions.
Thank you.
Guiyou Huang
President
Western Illinois University
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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