BY KELSEY PURCELL, FEATURES ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
Some St. Bonaventure University clubs and organizations are celebrating Women’s History Month this March. This month is a time to learn, reflect and celebrate the contribution that women have made to American society.
According to Women’s History Month.gov, ‘‘Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982, as “Women’s History Week.”
Congress continued to pass resolutions that declared one week in March to be “Women’s History Week” for five years after the first one was granted.
‘‘In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month,” wrote Women’s History Month.gov.
Each year since 1995, presidents have issued a proclamation saying that March is Women’s History Month. People should acknowledge the contributions that women have made in many fields should be celebrated during the month.
This year’s proclamation was published on Feb. 28 and can be found at White House.gov under briefing rooms, then-presidential actions. President Joe Biden commemorates the work that women have done for this country including fighting to end slavery, advocating for civil rights, and leading the suffragist movement. It also touches on more recent ways women have worked to change American society such as fighting for equality with the labor movement and supporting LGBTQ+ equality, especially transgender rights.
Some ways that Bonaventure clubs and organizations are celebrating Women’s History Month include recognizing women, writing about women of inspiration, and discussing the inequality women face.
In the John. J Murphy Professional Building, home of the Jandoli School of Communication, there are posters lining the hallways with quotes from some important modern women, including Malala Yousafzai, Oprah Winfrey, and Elizabeth Warren.
The Jandoli School is also recognizing its own female students. On the rising board near the front doors of Murphy, female communication students and their majors are featured on a slide show created by Lily Chittenden, a graduate student.
This week, members of Her Campus observed Women’s History Month by writing about women who inspire them. Audrey Hepburn, Frida Kahlo, and Ruby Bridges are some of the women who were written about. Articles will be posted on Friday, anyone interested in reading them can check them out on the Bonaventure Her Campus website which is https://www.hercampus.com/school/sbu/.
The Damietta Center for Multicultural Student Affairs hosted a discussion about the depiction of gender in media for Women’s History Month on March 15. Those in attendance watched a video highlighting the inequality that women face. Then they answered a few questions and discussed their thoughts on the video.
The center may also host another event later in the month led by a guest speaker. Anyone is welcome to join discussions in the Damietta Center, located on the second floor of the Reilly Center.
This month people should recognize and celebrate Women’s History Month. Spend time learning about women who have left their mark on society.
