Since 1987, March has represented Women’s History Month, and this year, Saint Xavier University has planned a multitude of events to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of women along with the rest of the nation.
According to womenshistorymonth.org, Women’s History Month began in 1981 when Congress asked the President to declare the week of March 7 of the following year as Women’s History Week.
For the next five years, Congress passed more resolutions denoting one week in March by this title.
Finally, in 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to proclaim March of 1987 as Women’s History Month; Congress agreed.
From 1988 to 1994, Congress passed more resolutions requesting the President to declare March of each year as Women’s History Month.
Since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama each gave yearly pronouncements that March stands as Women’s History Month.
Similar to Black History Month, each Women’s History Month presents a theme.
According to the National Women’s History Project website, nwhp.org, this year’s theme is titled, “Nevertheless, She Persisted: Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.”
The phrase “Nevertheless, she persisted” has become a rallying motto for many feminists after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used it to justify his reasoning behind silencing Senator Elizabeth Warren as she read Coretta Scott King’s opposition letter during the confirmation hearing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
The phrase has become a way for feminists to honor and applaud strong, independent women who refused to be silenced by men.
Standing in line with the values and idea of the National Women’s Project, SXU has planned a plethora of events to bring attention to the accomplishments, discoveries, and contributions women have given to society.
For instance, on Monday, March 12 at Bookies, a local neighborhood bookstore, SXU professor and author, Kathleen McInerney joined author Mary Ann Ryan for a discussion and reading of Too Smart to be Sentimental: Contemporary Irish American Women Writers.
Both McInerney and Ryan are co-editors and contributors to the book. Their discussion served to discuss the creation of the book, as well as to provide insight as to how others can move to have their own work published.
Additionally, the weekly SXU Speaks series hosted a new discussion on Tuesday, March 13 called, “Challenging Sexism in the Mosque.”
Led by Amarah Alghadban, an SXU history major, Students for Justice in Palestine president, member of the Race and Justice Education and Action group, and a passionate activist, the talk not only tackled sexism often seen in Mosques, but also looked for solutions to end the sexism.
On Thursday, March 15, students can look forward to the Unbreakable: Women’s Self-Defense Class led by Zaineb “Zee” Abdulla. Abdulla has been featured in BuzzFeed and the Washington Post for her classes.
After popular demand, Saint Xavier was able to bring Abdulla back this year for another one hour class. Abdulla highlights a move she calls the“Hijab Grab Escape.”
This move is meant to help Muslim women and girls break free from the hold one may have on their hijab.
Abudall came up with this move after the rise in hate crimes against Muslim women and girls.
Although Abdulla’s class is geared towards teaching women basic self-defense moves, all are invited and encouraged to attend.
Moreover, attendance at the class will support Deaf Planet Soul’s domestic violence prevention programming.
More Women’s History Month events can be found on theden.sxu.edu.
SXU’s “Women’s HERstory Month” is sponsored by the Department of Biological Sciences, Women Entering Business, Muslim Student Association, Residence Life, Campus Ministry, Shannon Center, Career Services, and Student Activities.
For more information, contact Student Activities at (773) 298-5114 or studentlife@sxu.edu.
Cheyanne Daniels
News Editor