March is Women’s History Month! This is a time to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of women. From breakthroughs in science to creating timeless masterpieces in art, from crafting crucial advancements in human rights legislations to being the backbone for countless communities throughout history, women have made profound contributions to civilization. Every month should be Women’s History Month when you consider the magnitude of their contributions.
Celebrate the reason for the season at Rio Salado by checking out some of our WHM resources and attending an upcoming event.
The Origins of Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month was created by Presidential proclamation in 1981 as a week-long celebration to recognize the contributions women have made to the United States in a variety of fields and to honor their legacy of shaping American history. Beginning in 1987, the entire month of March was dedicated to the celebration. The official government website https://womenshistorymonth.gov/ includes links to exhibits and collections exemplifying the contributions of women, including Dorothea Lange - who has been named a “Celebrated American Photographer.” Lange’s work is pictured above illustrating a central focus of her body of work dedicated to social issues (i.e., economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism).
Empowering Voices: Celebrating Women Who Inspire You (March 25)
Join us on Monday, March 25, for an online gathering dedicated to uplifting and showcasing the voices of women. This workshop will be held online via Webex from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your treasured inspirations — quotes that moved mountains in your heart, books that shifted the horizon of your thoughts, art that colored your worldview, or songs that became the soundtrack of your breakthroughs — to this interactive virtual space. Empowering Voices is a space for sharing what moves you, and to hear from your community what resonates with them.
This event is proudly presented by Rio Salado's DEIB Office, Library Services, and Student Life, committed to advancing a culture of inclusivity and recognition of diversity in all its forms.
If you’re interested in attending, please make sure you complete the registration form before the day of the event.
Note: The virtual panel will be recorded and made available for public viewing post-event.
We are excited to have you join us for this enlightening and empowering session!
Learn More About Women’s History Month
Our library staff have put together an informative guide packed with information about Women’s History Month. Find out about the value of mentoring, fascinating census data about women in the U.S, recommended reading titles, and see what local events are happening to celebrate Women’s History Month.
A Few Recommendations
Looking to supplement your media diet this month with some Women’s History Month content? Consider adding some of these titles to your watchlist:
- The Watermelon Woman (Cheryl Dunye, 1996). A romantic comedy that also explores same-sex relationships and African-American culture & identity.
- Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (Chantal Akerman, 1975). Akerman’s classic about the day-to-day life of a homemaker was declared the No. 1 film on Sight & Sound’s Greatest Films of All Time list (beating out previous No. 1 films like Citizen Kane and Vertigo).
- 35 Shots of Rum (Claire Denis, 2008). This acclaimed drama by Denis about a woman struggling to balance her commitment to taking care of her father with creating a life for herself is one of Denis’s best films and also a touching tribute to the Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu, who often dealt with themes of familial obligations in his work.
- Harlan County, USA (Barbara Kopple, 1977). One of the most influential documentaries ever made, Kopple’s film about the Harlan County strikes is a sobering and inspiring depiction about organized labor and people standing up for themselves.
- Mississippi Masala (Mira Nair, 1991). A romantic drama about the biases and cultural issues surrounding interracial romances.
Article by Austin Brietta