The Office of Student Inclusion & Diversity and the Women’s History Committee at UNC Pembroke recently announced Women’s History Month events to be held in March and May.

Women’s History Month–celebrated annually in March–commemorates and raises awareness of women’s historical and contemporary contributions. The celebration’s roots can be traced to the first International Women’s Day in 1911.

The celebration evolved into a week that was celebrated nationally after U.S. President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week. Congress passed a law in 1987 that designated March 1987 as Women’s History Month. Since 1988, U.S. presidents have issued proclamations designating March as Women’s History Month. Today, Women’s History Month is celebrated internationally.

Details for events listed below can be found at uncp.edu/womenshistorymonth, including event registration links. UNCP’s events to be held during Women’s History Month include:

March 8

• International Women's Day – a global day to celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements.

March 20-31

• Participate in a hygiene drive by donating items such as combs, lotion, oral hygiene products, razors, soap/bosh wash, shampoo/conditioner, baby wipes, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products. Donation boxes are located around campus in Admissions (Lumbee Hall 224), CARE Resource Center (Dogwood Building), College of Arts and Sciences (Oxendine Administrative Building 209), School of Education, Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity (Old Main 124), Sociology and Criminal Justice (Sampson Building 202), Student Health Services (Brave Health Center First Floor), and Office of Title IX and Clery Compliance (Oxendine Administrative Building 104) to collect the products. The CARE Resource Center will collect and distribute the donations throughout the month. Sponsored by CARE Resource Center.

March 22

• The Brave Dialogue: Women in Society and Gender Roles will be held at 1 p.m. in the Chavis Student Center, Room 213. The topic of discussion will be the degree of value society places on women currently. Sponsored by AAUW (American Association of University Women) and Student Inclusion & Diversity.
• Join us for “Crown Your Curls,” a discussion of Black hair care at 2:30 p.m. in the Chavis Student Center, Room 208. Free hair care products will be available in limited supply for event attendees. View more information on BraveConnect.
• The second Brave Dialogue: Women in Society and Leadership will focus on creating meaningful dialogue around women's history, rights and ways to advocate for women. The dialogue will be held at 5 p.m. in the Pine Residence Hall Multipurpose Room. Sponsored by the Residence Hall Association and Student Inclusion & Diversity.

March 23

• Join us for Legally Blonde–The Musical at 7:30 p.m. at Givens Performing Arts Center. Fabulously fun and international award-winning Legally Blonde–The Musical is the ultimate Broadway tribute to Girl Power! The story follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, sexism, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams, and proves that you can be legally blonde and still the smartest person in the room. This contemporary, sassy musical moves at a breakneck pace driven by memorable songs and explosive dances. Legally Blonde–The Musical warms the heart by proving that self-discovery can be way too much fun and hilarious to boot. Learn more about and purchase tickets for Legally Blonde - The Musical.

March 30

• The Lead(H)er Conference will be held in the University Center Annex from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The conference is a women-led event crafted to provide those who identify as a woman with the opportunity to highlight the leader inside of themselves and others. The conference features four dynamic female speakers presenting on a shared theme of women who lead: Neatte Ridgeway (Founder of BOSSisters), Jasmine McCrae (Project Director for UNCP's Office of Violence Against Women), Dani Evans (Campus Investigator, UNCP's Title IX and Clery Compliance Office), and Dr. Jacqueline P. Jones (Professor and Co-Pastor of Ship of Zion Church). The conference also includes a panel discussion that features six female campus leaders whose work creates a more inclusive and thriving environment for our students. The panelists are Taliyah Daniels (SGA President), Aspen Andersson (SGA Chief of Staff), Aiyanna Lynch (Spirit Squad Captain), Cara Martin (Student Service Leader for Student Leadership with Community and Civic Engagement), Parker Watson (Associate Director for Experiential Learning with the Career Center), and Dr. Christie Poteet (Associate Dean of Students with Student Affairs). Sponsored by the Women's History Committee.

May 1

• The MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) Walk and Learn will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lawn of the Chavis Student Center. The event raises awareness of the alarming rate of American Indian women who are abducted and murdered–often in connection with domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault and sex trafficking–and how to become an advocate for action to abate the crisis. Organizations will showcase information and discuss programs and legislation for victims of gender-based violence and their families. The event features profiles of MMIW in North Carolina. Sponsored by the American Indian Heritage Center.

May 5

• Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Day. Please wear red to raise awareness of the thousands of unsolved cases of missing and murdered American Indians and remember those lost to murder and who remain missing.

For more information about Women’s History Month, visit uncp.edu/womenshistorymonth or contact the Office of Student Inclusion & Diversity at 910.521.6508 or osid@uncp.edu.