The Exceptional Woman: Hail Her or Fail Her?’ at BGSU

BOWLING GREEN, O.—“Women’s history is an inherent part of all history; however, our histories and knowledge are so rarely shared that way, even in today’s world. So until our histories are incorporated and understood to be part of the normative historical narratives, it’s important that we have at least a month to point it out,” according to Marne Austin, a Bowling Green State University doctoral student in communication studies.  

For the past 30 years, March has been deemed Women’s History Month. BGSU is celebrating the occasion with events that will promote awareness of women’s issues in different contexts.

The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program along with the Women’s Center are hosting 14 separate events throughout March. A campus-wide planning committee consisting of faculty, staff and students organized the calendar, said Dr. Mary Krueger, director of the Women’s Center, and the theme: “The Exceptional Woman: Hail Her or Fail Her?"

At BGSU, Women’s History Month kicks off March 12 with “Our Neighbors, Our Friends: Muslim Women of Northwest Ohio,” at 1:30 p.m. in 315 Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

Austin will lead the discussion, along with a panel of Muslim women from the community. “The amazing women on this panel will talk about their faith, how they understand it and are empowered by it, and answer any and all questions that students and attendees may have,” Austin said.

The celebration continues with a keynote performance by Natasha T. Miller, a slam poet and spoke word artist, at 7 p.m. March 21 in the Eva Marie Saint Theatre of the Wolfe Center for the Arts. Her performance is titled “Will Write Poetry 4 Change!” The event is free and open to the public.

BGSU’s 15th annual Bring Your Favorite Female Professor/Mentor to Lunch event is on March 27, from noon to 1 p.m. in 107 Hanna Hall. It’s “always a gratifying celebration of the women who inspire BGSU students,” Krueger said.

Women’s History Month at the University concludes with the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Research Symposium, beginning at 9 a.m. on March 29. The event includes undergraduate and graduate student presentations, WEAL (Women’s Equity Action League) Legacy Awards presentations, and a keynote address.

Keynote speaker Dr. Jessie Ramey will discuss “Who Cares about Child Care? Orphanages and the Gendered Origins of Modern Child Care.” Ramey is an American Council of Learned Societies New Faculty Fellow in women’s studies and history at the University of Pittsburgh, and has recently published a book, “Child Care in Black and White: Working Parents and the History of Orphanages.”

The luncheon is free but seating is limited and reservations are required. Register by visiting http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/women/index.html

In research for her project to learn more African-American child welfare efforts, she found the Home for Colored Children and its white sister orphanage, the United Presbyterian Orphans’ Home. The book focuses on the two orphanages and compares them to the national story of race, gender and class in the child welfare system.

Her noon presentation in 308 Bowen-Thompson Student Union will detail her studies and why we should all still care about the subject of child care today, Ramey said.


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(Posted March 08, 2013 )