Events for Women’s Week at NDSU are scheduled throughout the week of Monday, Feb. 24, through Friday, Feb. 28. This year’s theme, “Intersections,” provided an opportunity to look at the diversity of women, said Regina Ranney, diversity programs coordinator and event co-organizer.
Women’s Week began in 1982, it served as a venue to highlight women’s accomplishments and perspectives that have not always been represented in history. While the annual event still serves that purpose, it has greatly expanded to celebrate and recognize women’s ongoing journey toward equality.
Everyone is invited to take part in Women’s Week activities. “While ‘Women’ is in the title, men are encouraged to attend; the topics are important and relevant for everyone,” Ranney said. All events are free and open to the public.
Erienne Fawcett, assistant director of women and gender studies and event co-organizer, said, “Women's week continues to be an important event as we are still working to see gender equality in the workplace, in the home and in government. It is important that we continue to spotlight areas that need support, such as reproductive rights, as well as celebrate the achievements of women both in our community and world.”
MONDAY, FEB. 24
“UnPretty: The journey from childhood diets to adult lifestyle changes in a quest for the unattainable ideals of western beauty,” noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Hidatsa room
Amber Buck, hall director for Dinan Hall
We live in a world dominated by media designed to keep women occupied with their bodies in an effort to sell products. The presentation explores the ways in which young girls and women alike are still subjected to unrealistic ideals of beauty to feed a growing consumer market. This event will open with a performance by Cantemus, NDSU’s women’s choir.
“Teaching Feminist Theory: At the Intersection of Theory & Practice,” 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Memorial Union Arikara room
Students from fall 2013 Feminist Theory course under the direction of Christina D. Weber, assistant professor of sociology
A round table style session designed to help demystify feminist theory and discuss pedagogical approaches Weber has used in her class to help empower students to tackle tough theoretical material. Speakers will engage in a discussion with various students from the class, as well as provide time to look over the final products of work done in the fall 2013 Feminist Theory course.
Documentary “The Invisible War,” 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Memorial Union Century Theater
Moderator: Calie Craddock, commander of American Legion Post 400.
Panelists: Erin Hagen, counselor at the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center; Susan Thompson, Department of Veteran Affairs; and Heather Mattson, Joint Force Headquarters Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, North Dakota National Guard.
The Invisible War recounts the stories of many women who have been victims of sexual violence while serving in the U.S. military, as well as conveys the social consequences that exist due to this epidemic. A post discussion will follow, applying the film to modern conflicts and women specifically as they serve in greater numbers in US Armed Forces.
This event is sponsored by Military and Veteran Services and Sexual Assault Prevention and Advocacy.
TUESDAY, FEB. 25
“’Keys and Locks:’ Sexual double standards in NDSU’s hookup culture,” 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Memorial Union Hidatsa room
Erin Ahneman, Dawn Berry, Kayley Erlandson, Jillene Krause, Carrie Anne Platt and Katherine Ralston of the NDSU Department of Communication
The panel will discuss how NDSU students understand and negotiate sexual double standards when it comes to casual sexual encounters. The discussion will focus on how these understandings influence both sexual behaviors and students’ willingness to talk about hookups with others.
“Ain’t I a Woman!” 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Beckwith Recital Hall, NDSU Reineke Fine Arts Center
Performed by one actress accompanied by a pianist, this production of vignettes celebrates the life and times of four powerful African American women: renowned novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale- Hurston, ex-slave and fiery abolitionist Sojourner Truth, exuberant folk artist Clementine Hunter, and fervent civil rights worker Fannie Lou Hamer. The event is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Programs, Campus Attractions Issues and Ideas and Compass Program Foundation in celebration of Black History Month.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26
"Learning How To Tap Into The Universal Language of Our Inner Identity for Personal and Societal Growth," noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Prairie room
Stevie Famulari, assistant professor of landscape architecture, and Saree Reveling, freedom coach
In this lecture and round table discussion, participants will learn about the inner forces that drive them personally, the challenges and gifts of those forces and how this deeper understanding opens a doorway to bridging societies' gaps.
“Doing Gender Research: Dialogues on Thesis Development,” 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Memorial Union Arikara room
Travis Barrows, Alicia Kauffman and Audrey Putz, masters candidates of sociology, under the direction of Christina D. Weber, associate professor of sociology
In this round table session, the panel will engage in a reflexive dialogue on the ins and outs of conducting gendered research for masters theses in sociology. Each presenter will reflect on their thesis project from different stages of the research process.
“Ignite Your Health Future,” 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Memorial Union Great room
Professional healthcare providers from NDSU and Sanford Health will lead engaging dialogue on health and wellness, educating NDSU women/students about health care advocacy, needs and resources.
THURSDAY, FEB. 27
“THIS Obedience: A Film and Discussion of the Intersection of Gender, Sexual Orientation and Religion,” 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Memorial Union Hidatsa room
Christi McGeorge, associate professor of human development and family science
This session will involve viewing and discussing a segment of the documentary “THIS Obedience,” which explores the struggle for acceptance experienced by a lesbian pastor. Information about efforts within religious communities to create greater acceptance of LGBT individuals, couples and families will be discussed as well as recent policy changes that major religious denominations in the United States have adopted.
“Documentary: ‘Roe at Risk: Fighting for Reproductive Justice,’ ” 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Memorial Union Century Theatre
Moderator: Amber Kracht, senior nursing student
Panelists: Amy Jacobson, North Dakota public affairs manager for Planned Parenthood MN, ND, SD; Tammi Kromenaker, director of the Red River Women’s Clinic; Dr. Stephanie Dahl, FACOG; N.D. Rep. Nancy Johnson; Renee Stromme, executive director, N.D. Women’s Network; N.D. Sen. Carolyn Nelson
“Roe at Risk” exposes the disturbing reality that 40 years after the landmark US Supreme Court decision in Roe v Wade, women across the country are seeing their reproductive rights slip away. Panelists will examine the effects and long-range implications on comprehensive health care for more and more patients. Discussion will be focused on the full scope of these widespread attacks on reproductive rights, the legislative and legal contexts in which the battle is being waged, and how the public can further engage in the promotion and protection of women’s rights to reproductive healthcare.
FRIDAY, FEB. 28
“Preservation Pioneers: Pivotal women who set the precedence for preserving our history, heritage, and culture through the last 150 years,” noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Hidatsa room
Heather L. Fischer, lecturer of architecture and environmental design
This presentation will focus on women leaders who paved the path of historic preservation in America. Long before the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Ann Pamela Cunningham, “mother of historic preservation” in America, founded the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union, which was the first nationwide preservation organization in the United States in 1853. The role of women in the field of preservation has broadened throughout the years, from properties associated with the American Revolution to built and natural environments.
Women’s Week is sponsored by Women and Gender Studies and the Equity and Diversity Center with support from Colleges of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences; Science and Mathematics; Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies; Human Development and Education; and Engineering. Sponsors also include University Relations, Compass Program Foundation, vice president for Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach, vice president for Research and Creative Activity, vice president for Student Affairs, vice president for Agricultural Affairs and Campus Attractions Issues and Ideas.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.