March is National Women’s History Month, and the Epsilon Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and several other organizations, are recognizing the occasion with a variety of events.
The observance was kicked off with Grambling State University President Horace Judson and Grambling Mayor Martha Andrus signing a proclamation declaring March as National Women’s History Month.
Members of the chapter also presented the A.C. Lewis Memorial Library with a special poster saluting the 143 women who have been honored nationally during the yearly observances.
On Wednesday, March 16, the General Concert and Lecture Series of the Favrot Student Union Board sponsored a convocation featuring Dr. Julia Hare, executive director, Black Think Tank, at 10:30 a.m. in T. H. Harris Auditorium.
Honorees include such distinguished individuals as Harriet Tubman (1851), who helped rescue over 300 slaves through the Underground Railroad; Susan B. Anthony (1872), who fought for the right of women to vote; and Rosa Parks (1955), who sparked a bus boycott in Montgomery, Ala., that challenged segregation policies in the South.
Celebrating women’s accomplishments goes back to March 8, 1911, the first International Women’s Day. In 1977 several women who later founded the National Women’s History Program (NWHP) worked through the Commission on the Status of Women in Sonoma County, Calif. to
initiate a Women’s History Week. They selected a week in March that included International Women’s Day.
In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) cosponsored a Joint Congressional Resolution proclaiming the week of March 8 to National Women’s History Week, based on the Sonoma County model. In 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to the entire month of March.
The Congressional Resolution for National Women’s History Month acknowledges that the role of American women in history.
Women Gathering At the Well: A College Women’s Ecumenical Network of Campus Ministry in Higher Education is being observed March 12-19 at Grambling State University in recognition of National Women’s History Month. Hosted by the Grambling Wesley Foundation and Trinity United Methodist Church Some of the activities include:
Wednesday, March 16–Woman At the Well Bible study, conducted by Dr. Bessie Foster, 7 p.m., Favrot Student Union, room 242.
Thursday, March 17–Self-Help Seminar, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Favrot Student Union, room 242; Health Fair, Favrot Student Union, 1st Floor; Pilates class, 1 p.m., Favrot Student Union, room 242; Female Sexuality Discussion, hosted by Larry Rhone, 2 p.m., Jacob T. Stewart, room 112.
Friday, March 18–Missions Day, Ministry members will participate in music service in Logansport and make visitations to nursing homes throughout the area.