Avondale, Arizona – Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), a Maricopa Community College, is celebrating Women’s History Month during the entire month of March 2103. All events and activities are free and open to the public, held on the EMCC campus, located on 3000 North Dysart Road in Avondale.
The annual Women's Conference on Saturday, March 23, is a community favorite and will feature a morning packed with powerful workshops, followed by a luncheon with keynote speakers Dr. Mei-Ling Wong and Li Kang. Free, limited enrollment requires an RSVP.
Beyond celebrating women’s historical and contemporary contributions to society, co-chairs and EMCC faculty, Olga Tsoudis and Erin Blomstrand, developed a multi-blend of events that will provide engaging educational opportunities. Through films, lectures, workshops, art displays, and a community charity drive, the month’s activities are intended to broaden the understanding of gender issues.
According to Blomstrand, this year's events will celebrate the depth and breadth of women’s contributions to society. “They will demonstrate how women are still struggling for equality and challenge ideas of what it means to be ‘heroic,’ as women continue to strive for balance in all areas of their lives in the fast-paced, complex 21st century.”
One of the highlights during the month will be the public debut of the documentary film series “Stop Calling Me Girl.” During the 2011-2012 academic year, EMCC Sociology Professor Olga Tsoudis embarked on a sabbatical to create a documentary focused on third wave feminism. During this time, Dr.Tsoudis interviewed 185 people in six cities and gathered their voices and experiences to create the “Stop Calling Me Girl” Film Series. Each film focuses on interviews on a specific gender issue.
Other month-long events include a Women’s History Month book display in the Library, a suffragette display in Estrella Hall, a mask exhibit in the Plaza Gallery, and an ongoing donation drive for the New Life Center, a domestic violence shelter in Goodyear, Arizona.
PLEASE NOTE: Some events feature adult language and content, and may not be suitable for all audiences.
Film Festival: “Stop Calling Me Girl – Feminist Movement”
Friday, March 1
Noon – 2:00 p.m., Plaza Gallery
During the 2011-2012 academic year, EMCC Sociology Professor Olga Tsoudis embarked on a sabbatical to create a documentary focused on third wave feminism. During this time, Dr.Tsoudis interviewed 185 people in six cities and gathered their voices and experiences to create the “Stop Calling Me Girl” Film Series. Each film focuses on interviews on a specific gender issue.
Film Festival: “Stop Calling Me Girl – Reproductive Rights”
Monday, March 4
Noon – 2:00 p.m., Plaza Gallery
“Reavers, Ogres, Evil – Oh my! Heroines Saving Themselves”
Wednesday, March 6
10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Plaza Gallery
This presentation examines the female hero in TV and film, with a particular focus on Once Upon a Time and Firefly.
Film Festival: “Stop Calling Me Girl – Gender and Economic Justice”
Wednesday, March 6
Noon – 1:30 p.m., Plaza Gallery
Presentation/Workshop: “The Shoulds and Shouldn'ts of Gender: According to Who?”
Thursday, March 7
10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Center for Teaching & Learning
This interactive learning experience will provide participants with an opportunity to increase their awareness of how individuals may be affected by gender perceptions and social norms.
Film Festival: “Stop Calling Me Girl – Reproductive Rights”
Thursday, March 7
4:15 - 5:30 p.m., Plaza Gallery
SPRING BREAK: March 11 – 15
Art Display: Humannequin Project – Gender, Politics and the Law
March 18 – 29
Campus hours, Campus-wide
The Humannequin Project was created by students to depict women's rights and gender equality issues locally and internationally. In 2009, students focused on women's rights issues/gender issues across the globe. In 2010, students focused on women's rights issues/gender issues in the United States. For the 2011 project, students focused on gender issues specific to intimate relationships and family. Each student group is given a humannequin (mannequin in gender neutral terms) as a blank canvas to create a political art project of social awareness utilizing academic research. For 2013, the theme is Gender, Politics and the Law.
Workshops (Parts 1 – 3): Love Yourself, Empower Yourself.
Mondays, March 18 and March 25
Wednesday, March 27
10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Center for Teaching & Learning
This three-part workshop will focus on providing information and techniques to be critical of mass media and its effect on children.
Film Festival: “Stop Calling Me Girl – Gender and Politics”
Monday, March 18
Noon – 1:30 p.m., Plaza Gallery
Poetry Slam
Tuesday, March 19
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Ceremonial Plaza
Come and enjoy poetry, spoken word and powerful statements on women's rights. Hear from students, employees and community members. If you would like to participate, please contact Maryhelen Rosales at [email protected].
Film Festival: “Stop Calling Me Girl – Gender and Politics”
Tuesday, March 19
4:15 – 5:30 p.m., Plaza Gallery
Vagina Monologues
Wednesday, March 20
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Ceremonial Plaza
Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues share the experiences of women who speak candidly and humorously about their vaginas while trying to end violence against women and girls. The vignettes range from poignant and emotional to laugh-out-loud funny, raising our awareness about the way vaginas, and women and girls, have been both brutalized and loved throughout culture and time. This year's performance, co-directed by EMCC biology student Heather Grimm and EMCC archeology graduate Tracy Tanner, will be read by students and employees.
Film Festival: “Stop Calling Me Girl – LGBTQ Rights”
Thursday, March 21
8:30 – 9:45 a.m., Center for Teaching & Learning
Presentation: Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling – A Women's Rise to the Top
Thursday, March 21
10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Center for Teaching & Learning
Learn from a panel of influential women who took control of their career, conquered barriers and broke through the glass ceiling.
WLG Luncheon
Friday, March 22
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Plaza Gallery
Annual Women's Leadership Group (WLG) Luncheon honors those women nominated as the 2013 Woman of Distinction at EMCC. For nomination information contact WLG co-chair, Leslie Keefer, 623-535-2766.
Women's Conference: Real World, Real Women
Saturday, March 23
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Estrella Hall Community Room
EMCC Student Life & Leadership will host the second annual EMCC Women's Conference. The theme for the conference is “Real Women. Real World.” The goal is to empower women to stand strong, be assertive, and succeed in the real world. For more information, contact Christina Izaguirre at 623-935-8807.
Film Festival: “Stop Calling Me Girl – Gender and Language”
Monday, March 25
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Plaza Gallery
Workshop: Mask Making
Tuesday, March 26
4:15 – 5:30 p.m., Student Union Courtyard
Masks offer an extraordinary opportunity for creative expression and self-reflection; masks can transform the human face into something evocative, mysterious, humorous, or insightful. Egyptians, Chinese and Italians have all engaged in the art of mask making. During the one-hour workshop, create a mask of your face using plaster bandages. The mask is yours to take and keep. The masks on display in the Plaza Gallary during Women’s History Month were created by EMCC sociology and psychology students in previous semesters.
Film Festival: “Stop Calling Me Girl – Gender and Violence”
Tuesday, March 26
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Center for Teaching & Learning
Film Festival: “Stop Calling Me Girl – Gender and Politics”
Wednesday, March 27
4:15 – 5:30 p.m., Center for Teaching & Learning
Film Festival: “Stop Calling Me Girl – Feminist Movement”
Wednesday, March 27
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Plaza Gallery
Film Festival: “Stop Calling Me Girl – Men and Masculinity”
Thursday, March 28
10:00 – 11:15 a.m., Center for Teaching & Learning
# # #