AVONDALE, Arizona – One thing you can always count on during Women’s History Month at Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) is the intensely unique events that advance the knowledge and understanding of gender issues.
This 11th annual, month-long celebration at EMCC is presented by a group of dedicated faculty, staff, and students, led by faculty organizers Dr. Olga Tsoudis and Dr. Caron Sada. All events and activities are free and open to the public, held on the EMCC campus located at 3000 N. Dysart Rd. in Avondale.
“Our events provide a stage to honor women and intended to inspire discussion among all audiences,” said Dr. Tsoudis. “There is still so much to learn about women’s roles in the many cultures around the world, including our own.”
Women’s History Month is a national recognition of women’s contributing roles in the arts, politics, science, technology, math, culture, religion and activism.
NOTE: Some events feature adult language and content, and may not be suitable for all audiences.
March 3 - 31
Art Exhibit: Body, Creature, Nature
Campus hours, Komatke A Art Case
This art display features the work of three women artists who have worked together for many years, Monica Alissa Martinez, Carolyn Lavender and Mary Shindell. Their combined exhibition focuses on imagery that distinguishes each artist’s unique talents, but also unites them. Martinez’s drawings and paintings explore the complexity of the human form. Lavender’s drawings depict creatures in constructed space and individualized portraits. Shindell’s mixed media sculptures, drawings and prints represent the intricate textures seen in plant forms and other organisms.
Tues, March 4
Pregnancy: Your Rights Under Title IX
Noon – 1:00 p.m., Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL)
This workshop will cover students’ rights under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which provides equal access to school programs and activities for students who are pregnant, and EMCC’s ongoing commitment to help students stay in school to complete their educational goals. Information will be presented regarding EMCC’s new Lactation/Quiet Room (LQR), LQR guidelines and how to schedule.
Wed, March 5
Vagina Monologues
8:00 a.m. – noon, Ceremonial Plaza Amphitheatre
Students and employees will be reading/performing Eve Ensler's humorous and poignant play about women and their vaginas.
Wed, March 5
How to Smash Barriers: Women of Color in Athletic Administration
5:30 – 6:30 p.m., CTL
Athletic administrators tend to look the same: white and male. This presentation will feature women of color and the strategies they have utilized to smash those traditional barrier and launch their own successful, rewarding careers.
March 6
SHE++ Documentary! Inspiring Women to Empower Computer Science
8:30 – 9:45 a.m., Plaza Gallery
This amazing documentary titled, “SHE++: Inspiring Women to empower Computer Science” provides information and encouragement on how women can use their intelligence toward innovation and integration of Computer Science into their lives and the world around them.
SPRING BREAK: March 10 – 14, Campus closed
March 17-March 30
Humannequin Project 2014: Gender and Language
Campus hours, Ceremonial Plaza Lawn
Art and research combine when life-size mannequins are adorned and staged on campus grounds to represent statements of change. The Humannequin Project 2014 will focus on Gender and Language, presenting political art and research on words/phrases which are sexist towards men and women. Student research then provides solutions and alternative language that is not sexist.
March 18
Marked Women: Are Women with Tattoos Devalued in Society?
1:00 – 2:15 p.m., Plaza Gallery
This presentation will explore marked women-women with tattoos and attempt to answer the topic’s question.
March 20
Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling
8:30 – 9:45 a.m., Plaza Gallery
An inspirational career panel of successful women, from a variety of career fields, will share their stories of hurdles and triumphs as they broke through the glass ceiling.
March 22
3rd Annual Women’s Conference
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Estrella Conference Center
The theme for this year’s conference is “Bloom where you’re planted,” with the goal to provide strategies and techniques of how to transform challenging situations into opportunities that “bloom.” Individual uniqueness and diverse backgrounds provide a soil-rich environment for all things to grow, given the right tools. The conference will provide local and international perspectives on women’s issues and solutions. Attendees select from multiple workshops with topics ranging from body image to community resources, and presented by remarkable women. Keynote speaker, Agnes Umuligirwa, is a member of the Tutsi Tribe from Rwanda, Africa, and a survivor of the brutal 1994 Genocide in which more than 800,000 people were killed. This event is free and open to the public. RSVP’s requested by March 17 to [email protected] or 623-935-8802.
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. – Check in/Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Welcome
9:10 – 9:50 – Workshop I
10:00 – 10:40 – Workshop II
10:50 – 11:30 – Workshop III
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Lunch & Keynote Speaker
12:30 – 1:00 p.m. – Reflection Activity & Closing Remarks
March 25
Kristy Miller presents, Indiana Jones: A Glimpse into Archeology
8:30 – 9:45 a.m., Plaza Gallery
EMCC archeology faculty Kristy Miller will talk about what it's like to be a female archaeologist in the Middle East. Ancient cultures and civilizations come to life as she discusses her world travels unearthing cities long buried by desert sands and diving for artifacts in exotic locations.
March 26
WLG Luncheon
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Plaza Gallery
Annual luncheon hosted by the Women's Leadership Group to honor EMCC's 2014 Woman of Distinction. The recipient of the award is recognized for her exceptional leadership, innovation, service, and contribution to women.
March 27
Marriage, Motherhood, Career? Women’s Stories
8:30 – 9:45 a.m., Estrella Conference Center
While women are bombarded with a variety of prescriptive messages about how they should live, real women live many scenarios with unique implications and possibilities. This presentation will describe research based on the lived experiences of a group of women doing their best to juggle multiple life roles.
March 27
Importance of Educating Women in Africa
10:00 – 11:15 a.m., Estrella Conference Center
Women’s Conference Keynote Speaker and local resident, Agnes Umuligirwa, will share her experiences as a woman from Africa and the educational opportunities available. It is important that educational opportunities be provided to women for economic justice, gender equality and human rights.
March 27
On Becoming a Woman: A Trans Perspective on Femalehood
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Estrella Conference Center
A MTF transgendered student at EMCC speaks about her experience of transitioning and how her ideas of womanhood have evolved from pre- to post-transition. The presentation hinges on a healthy session of Q and A following an introductory speech.
March 28
Women and Video Games
1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Plaza Gallery
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Club students present and discuss the roles women “play” as designers and developers of video games.