The Observer, March 3, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 19
Case Center for Women holds events in honor of Women's History Month
In celebration of Women's History Month, Case's Flora Stone Mather Center for Women will be showing a film that brings together dozens of unique women. The Way Home is a cross-cultural documentary on women's issues from different racial perspectives, and will be showing at today at 5:30 p.m. in Nord 310.
The film explores the lives of 64 women from various ethnic groups who share their thoughts and stories with each other over the course of eight months. The film allows viewers to listen to these conversations and to see issues of identity, beauty, oppression, and resistance from different angles.
The Women's Center will also be facilitating a film discussion after the showing so students can share their reactions and talk about how the issues resonate in their personal lives.
In addition, the Center will also be hosting a talk this month by Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards, co-authors of the book Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future. Baumgardner and Richards are leading voices in a new generation of Third Wave feminists.
Manifesta is both a "call to arms" and an effort to redefine feminism for young women today, whose political and social positions have evolved since the days of Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem. Their talk is called "Can I Be a Feminist and … Shave, Love My Boyfriend, Make Money, Get Married, Be Pro-Life?" and will discuss many contemporary women's issues.
Baumgardner and Richards have appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and at many schools across the nation. They will be speaking at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 27 in Thwing's 1914 Lounge.
According to Women's Center director Dorothy Miller, the goal of the talk is to raise important topics in the lives of women. "Attendees do not have to agree with the views presented, but we hope that they will at least think about the issues, and talk about what is important to them," Miller said.
The Women's Center is in its third year, and represents the university's commitment to women's issues. "Sometimes the concerns of women are not the same as men's," Miller said. She is optimistic about the future of the Center and of women on campus. All are invited to visit the Women's History display board that will be posted on the first floor of Thwing, as well as the Center's website, which contains information about upcoming events.
Margaretmary Daley, Director of Women's Studies at Case, believes that the Case community should celebrate women's history this month in all ways possible and use it as a learning experience. "I hope that the national observance will get information out to people who don't even know that they don't know … to raise visibility of women's issues," Daley said.
Women's History Month has roots early in the 20 century. It began as an International Women's Day on March 8, 1911 in recognition of women's struggle for rights, particularly the protest staged by a group of female garment workers in New York City that demanded better pay and a healthier working environment.
Countries all over the world still celebrate this holiday. Katia Almeida, a professor at Case and a native of Brazil, says they observe International Women's Day, but that feminism is not as strong there as it is in the United States. "In Latin America, because of the strong Catholic influence, women's roles are still very connected to their roles as wives and mothers, although women are progressively increasing their participation in the working force," Almeida said.
Since coming to the US, she was surprised to find that working women here have fewer social benefits than in her home country. "I think that debates about gender inequality, double pressures on working women, and lack of social benefits should be incorporated in the celebration," Almeida said.
In 1981, this day-long observance was expanded to a week of recognition declared by the U.S. Congress, and then to a month in 1986 as a result of the efforts made by the National Women's History Project. In the years since its creation, the goal of Women's History Month has evolved from simply raising awareness of women's role in history to increasing awareness of women's modern concerns.
In addition to promoting education and social awareness, Miller has a simpler goal. "I hope that women will celebrate themselves this month, because I don't think we do that enough," she said.
