BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State University’s Office of Multicultural Student Services has
a full schedule planned to celebrate Women’s History Month. This year’s theme: Writing
Women Back into History.
The series of events kicked off with The Vagina Monologues Feb. 26. Activities continued March 2 with Naomi Tutu’s presentation “South Africa: Healing the Wounds of Racism. Next in the series will be the Women Investing in Leadership and Learning Conference at 7 p.m. March 16 at the Big Rapids Holiday Inn and Conference Center.
Events continue with Nancy Hulse’s multimedia presentation about domestic violence, “That Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady,” at 7 p.m. March 18 in the Rankin Student Center Dome Room.
Organizers say the Women’s History Month celebration at Ferris is designed around topics impacting women today with the ultimate goal of empowering young women through recognition of past female leaders.
“For me, Women’s History Month means celebrating women who have paved the road for me to attend school, vote and have an opinion,” said Women’s History Month committee member Tiara R. Clark, a Detroit native majoring in Construction Management. “This month is about celebrating and uplifting women. It lets us know that we too can make a difference as young women right here at Ferris.”
Activities continue March 20 when You Beautiful Black Women presents its 20th annual fashion show “Fashion and Hair Rocks” at 6 p.m. On March 23, “Women in History Soap Box” will highlight recitations regarding influential women leaders throughout history from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Rankin Student Center Atrium. You Beautiful Black Women will host a women’s expo and lock-in from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. March 25 in the Student Recreation Center.
The monthlong celebration concludes with a presentation by Dolores Huerta (pictured), “Without Fear,” highlighting social justice and neighbors uniting. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 30 in G. Mennen Williams Auditorium.
“One of the reasons I wanted to be involved with Women’s History Month this year was because I wanted to contribute and incorporate some ideas that I would like the campus to take part in,” said You Beautiful Black Women President Christina Ware, a senior from Bloomfield Hills majoring in CAD-Drafting/Tool Design Technology. “Through Women’s History Month, I just really wanted to be a part of showcasing women of all walks of life to educate our campus to know that women are making a difference in society.”
In addition to Women’s History Month activities, Ferris hosts a Virtual Women’s Center at www.ferris.edu/vwc. Conceptualized in 2005, the center provides online resources for men and women related to anything from health and wellness to financial success to safety.