Women’s History Month
Vanderbilt celebrates Women’s History Month each March. Women’s History Month honors and celebrates the struggles and achievements of women of all nations and cultures.
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.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” 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.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” (From the Law Library of Congress’s guide to the legislative history of Women’s History Month.)
For more about the origins of Women’s History Month, visit womenshistorymonth.gov.
Questions? Please contact Sarah Brennan at sarah.a.brennan@vanderbilt.edu
Joining an event on Zoom this month? Use one of our WHM Background Images!
Visit linktr.ee/vuwomenscenter to RSVP for all events!
Wednesday, March 1
12:00 p.m. CT – 1:00 p.m.
Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center
Women’s History Month Kickoff
Target Audience: All
Stop by for refreshments, conversation, and a chance to pick up a copy of the month’s printed events calendar!
The deadline to drop off donations is Friday, March 31.
Join the Women’s Center and the Community Resource Center (CRC) to gather menstrual products for distribution to nonprofits and schools in Middle Tennessee.
Please consider purchasing items for the CRC through their Amazon Wishlist. Please consider donating via Venmo.
Wednesday, March 1
4:00 p.m.
Hats Off to Women Awards Reception
Target Audience: Invite Only
Help us “tip our hats” to some amazing women in the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities!
Thursday, March 2
12:00 p.m.
Saying No So You Can Say Yes: How Boundaries Protect You and Your Energy
Sarah Jordan Welch-Moore, LMSW, DSW
Target Audience: All
This session will focus on the challenges of saying no and maintaining boundaries.
Thursday, March 2
7:00 p.m.
More Than a “Slave”: Enslaved Women, Religion, and New Histories of Black Humanity
Alexis Wells-Oghoghomeh, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, Stanford University
Target Audience: All
Taking the lives of enslaved woman-gendered people as its starting point, this talk theorizes how studying the intersections of race, gender, and religion in slavery invites new approaches to the study of racialized humanity in the Americas.
Thursday, March 2
7:00 p.m.
Jill Bialosky Reading
Jill Bialosky, author of Asylum: A Personal, Historical, Natural Inquiry in 103 Lyric Sections
Target Audience: All
Jill Bialosky‘s newest volume of poetry Asylum: A Personal, Historical, Natural Inquiry in 103 Lyric Sections, was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. She is the author of five acclaimed collections of poetry, four critically acclaimed novels, including The Prize, and most recently, The Deceptions, and two memoirs, Poetry Will Save Your Life and New York Times bestselling memoir History of a Suicide: My Sister’s Unfinished Life. Her poems and essays have appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s, O Magazine, The Kenyon Review, Harvard Review, Paris Review and Best American Poetry, among others. She co-edited with Helen Schulman the anthology, Wanting a Child. She is an Executive Editor and Vice President at W. W. Norton & Company. In 2014 she was honored by the Poetry Society of America for her distinguished contribution to poetry.
Friday, March 3
12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m.
Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center
Free Book Friday
Target Audience: All
Come to the Women’s Center to pick up a book related to women’s history!
Saturday, March 4
10:15 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Protecting the Rights of Girls and Women During Conflict and Uncertainty
Target Audience: All
In dozens of countries around the world, millions of people face a never-ending cycle of human rights violations, perpetual violence, and political instability; in the developed world, citizens face discriminatory barriers that lack a cohesive approach. Not one single society is immune from the violation of human rights, yet its impact disproportionately impacts girls and women.
Stream the event here.
Monday, March 6
12:00 p.m.
Vanderbilt Divinity School, Room G33
Justice in Action: Narratives of Black Activists in Nashville
Odessa Kelly, Co-founder of Stand Up Nashville and former candidate for Congress (TN-07)
Jordan Scruggs, Communication and Social Media Consultant and Steering Member, Healthy and Free Tennessee
Phillis Sheppard, Director, James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements
Target Audience: All
Monday, March 6
1:30 p.m.– 3:00 p.m.
#IamRemarkable
Target Audience: All
During this 90-minute workshop, participants learn the importance of self-promotion at work, challenge the social perception around self-promotion, and gain tools to develop this skill.
March 6
4:30 p.m.
Dean’s Residence, Martha Rivers Ingram Commons (meet outside)
Votes for Women Field Trip
Target Audience: Undergraduate students
In this visit to the Votes for Women Room at the Nashville Public Library, participants will learn about Tennessee’s role in the ratification of the 19th Amendment as well as the pervasiveness of racism within women’s movements.
Tuesday, March 7
12:00 p.m.
Inclusive Book Group: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Target Audience: All
At this meeting, we will discuss Zora Neale Hurston’s classic Their Eyes Were Watching God. The Inclusive Book Group is a collaboration between the Women’s Center, the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries, the Robert Penn Warren Center for the Humanities, and Employee Learning and Engagement.
Wednesday, March 8
10:00 a.m.
International Women’s Day Tea
Target Audience: All
Join us for tea and treats at the Women’s Center as we recognize International Women’s Day.
Thursday, March 9
12:15 p.m.–1:15 p.m.
Warren Faculty Apartment, 503B
Warren College Lunch: Feminism 101
Target Audience: All
Join Professor Johnson for lunch and conversation with the Women’s Center about the definition of feminism, feminist history, and feminist perspectives on topics such as education, intersectionality, and reproductive rights.
Wednesday, March 8
5:30 p.m.
Women and Music
Target Audience: All
Join the C.R.E.A.T.E Committee on International Women’s Day for a roundtable discussion on the topic of Women and Music. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome. There will be food and great conversations!
Please submit questions here.
Thursday, March 9
6:30 p.m.
Banned Book Initiative Presents: The Bluest Eye
Target Audience: All
Join a group conversation on the realities of the Black community and more specifically the realities of Black girls as we discuss Toni Morrison’s novel The Bluest Eye.
Thursday, March 9
5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Vanderbilt Divinity School, Room 124
Becoming a Trauma-Informed Learning and Practicing Community
Target Audience: All
#FeministMidwife Stephanie Tillman will discuss trauma-informed care (TIC), a clinical framework with powerful impacts for student education, interprofessional collaboration, and communication strategies. This session will review TIC in intimate settings.
Friday, March 10
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center
Free Book Friday
Target Audience: All
Come to the Women’s Center to pick up a book related to women’s history!
Monday, March 20
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Multicultural Lounge (Sarratt 335)
Women’s History Month Mini-Celebration
Target Audience: All
In honor of Women’s History Month, join the Student Center for Social Justice and Identity for food, friendship, and a token of appreciation (on a first-come-first-serve basis).
Monday, March 20
4:00 p.m.
Women’s Financial Planning at Every Stage
Julie McCormick, CFP
Target Audience: All
Monday, March 20
7:00 p.m.
Benton Chapel
Misogynist Stench in Christian White Supremacy
Traci C. West, Ph.D., Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies, Drew University Theological School
Target Audience: All
When misogyny takes the form of gender violence or reproductive injustice in the history of U.S. Christian white supremacy, its distinctiveness can get lost. What are the questions and tasks for Christians committed to the defiant work of solidarity needed to confront misogyny?
March 20–March 31
Vanderbilt Divinity School Gallery
Reclaim Mary Magdalene
Target Audience: All
In honor of Women’s History Month, Vanderbilt Divinity School will host a Gallery Exhibit featuring four contemporary artists representing Mary Magdalene in her power and authority as the Apostle to the Apostles. The exhibit will be open to the public weekly on Mondays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and Wednesdays 12:00-2:00 p.m. Contact Beth Maczka to arrange another viewing time.
Tuesday, March 21
12:30 p.m.
Sarratt Gallery
Pleasure Party Art Reception
Target Audience: All
Stop by Sarratt Gallery to see ceramic pieces made by Vanderbilt community members in the spirit of Judy Chicago’s Dinner Party.
Refreshments provided.
Tuesday, March 21
5:00 p.m.
Women’s Center Conference Room
For the Culture: Protect Black-Identified Women
Target Audience: Students
Join the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life in partnership with the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center for a storytelling workshop to engage in culturally beneficial conversations centering the safety and protection of Black Women.
Refreshments provided.
Wednesday, March 22
12:00 p.m.
Black Cultural Center Auditorium
Greene Book Group: Passing
Target Audience: All
A discussion of Neila Larsen’s Passing (2019), a novel about the relationship between two African American women who are light enough to pass for white.
Wednesday, March 22
10:30 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.
#IamRemarkable
Target Audience: All
During this 90-minute workshop, participants learn the importance of self-promotion at work, challenge the social perception around self-promotion, and gain tools to develop this skill.
Wednesday, March 22
4:00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m.
Target Audience: All
Students are invited to celebrate Women’s History Month by visiting Yay Yay’s, a locally owned restaurant in historic North Nashville. Students will eat a FREE dinner and hear from Yay Yay’s owner, Chef Charlotte Miller. Chef Miller will share about her entrepreneurial journey and the significance of North Nashville, especially Jefferson Street. Transportation will be provided for students.
Wednesday, March 22
5:30 p.m.
Student Life Center 1 & 2
An Evening with Women in Tech
Target Audience: All
We will hear from a panel of tech leaders, followed by a Q&A and networking.
Refreshments will be provided.
Thursday, March 23
12:00 p.m.
Divinity 127
How to Raise an Adult
Target Audience: All
In this session, author Julie Lythcott-Haims will share insight from her book How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success.
Thursday, March 23
4:00 p.m.
The Space, Vanderbilt Divinity School
Mary Magdalene: Apostle for Our Times
Target Audience: All
In this multimedia event, interdisciplinary scholar Kayleen Asbo, PhD. will weave together history, art, and music as we explore how Mary Magdalene embodies the archetype of healing, wholeness, and integration–and what she can mean for us today as we seek to live lives of both courage and compassion.
Thursday, March 23
5:00 p.m.
Alumni Hall, Room 202
Your Turn: How to Be an Adult
Target Audience: All
Thursday, March 23
6:30 p.m.
Banned Book Initiative Presents: The Bluest Eye
Target Audience: All
Join a group conversation on the realities of the Black community and more specifically the realities of Black girls as we discuss Toni Morrison’s novel The Bluest Eye.
Friday, March 24
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center
Free Book Friday
Target Audience: All
Come to the Women’s Center to pick up a book related to women’s history!
Friday, March 24
6:00 p.m.– 8:00 p.m.
Alumni Hall, Room 202
An Evening with Lydia Conklin
Target Audience: All
As part of the Trans/Non-Binary Author Series organized by the Office of LGBTQI Life, Lydia Conklin, author of Rainbow, Rainbow, will read a selection of their short stories.
Friday, March 24
Doors open: 7:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Stevenson 4 (Lecture Hall) 309
No Man’s Land Film Festival Screening
Target Audience: All
The Vanderbilt Climbing Club will be hosting this NMLFF screening with support from the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center in order to showcase amazing female climbers through film. They hope to inspire the Nashville Climbing community, young women on the team, and the general Nashville community to continue pushing boundaries and represent women in the climbing arena. Vanderbilt Climbing Merch will be given away at this event! General admission is $5.
Purchase tickets here.
Monday, March 27
12:00 p.m.
Divinity School Reading Room
When Women Lead: Unapologetically Taking Up Space
Target Audience: All
Barbara Bell, Ed.D, Capt. U.S. Navy (ret) and Principal, Barbara Bell Enterprises, LLC
C. Cybele Raver, Ph.D., Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Vanderbilt University
Tracy Denean Sharpley-Whiting, Ph.D., Vice Provost of Arts and Libraries, Vanderbilt University
Emilie M. Townes, Ph.D., Dean, Vanderbilt Divinity School
Moderated by Cara Tuttle, J.D., Director, Project Safe Center
Monday, March 27
5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
G29 “The Space,” Vanderbilt Divinity School
Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” Womanist Truth, Womanist Resistance
Target Audience: All
Join us for dinner & conversations on womanists’ responses to the need for creative, courageous, and socially responsive leadership. During this roundtable discussion, womanist scholars and practitioners will challenge and help us imagine ways to advance the work of social justice.
RSVP here.
Tuesday, March 28
11:30 a.m.
Central Library, Room 418A
The Sky Is for Everyone: Women Astronomers in Their Own Words
Target Audience: All
In this session, Professor David Weintraub will share the stories of women who broke down barriers and changed the face of modern astronomy.
Tuesday, March 28
12:30 p.m.
STEM Sistah Network Mingle and Mentor
Target Audience: Black Women in STEM
Join the STEM Sistah Network for an hour of power with Dr. Annet Kirabo for our Women’s History Month Mingle and Mentor session.
Wednesday, March 29
4:00 p.m.
Zoom
The Whys and Whens of Car Maintenance
Target Audience: All
Join the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center for a workshop with Chaya Milchtein, otherwise known as Mechanic Shop Femme.
Thursday, March 30
12:00 p.m.
Wyatt Center Rotunda
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Nicole Joseph
Target Audience: All
Join the Initiative for Race Research and Justice as Dr. Nicole Joseph, Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at Peabody College, discusses her book Making Black Girls Count in Math Education: A Black Feminist Vision for Transformative Teaching.
Thursday, March 30
6:00 p.m.
Sarratt 189
Not All Feminists Are White: Claiming the Margin as Center
Target Audience: Undergraduate students
Feminists of color have often been at the forefront of progress, despite being pushed to the margins of the feminist movement. This discussion will explore the real-life work of feminists of color to create substantive change.
Friday, March 31
12:00 p.m.
Sarratt 189
Period Product Packing Party
Target Audience: All
Join the Women’s Center and the Community Resource Center (CRC) to pack menstrual products for distribution to nonprofits and schools in Middle Tennessee. If you aren’t able to attend, please consider purchasing items for the CRC through their Amazon Wishlist.
Friday, March 31
3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Alumni Hall 202
Women in Science and Engineering Annual Symposium
Target Audience: All
The symposium will feature interactive panel discussions and workshops, headshot opportunities, and much more!