Women's History Month events highlight UC women pioneers, past and present
UC celebrates women's success, leadership and groundbreaking achievements with film, food and fun events throughout March
Libby Holman, a 1923 UC graduate at age 19 went on to become a successful Broadway stage star and singer.
In the University of Cincinnati’s 200-year history women students, faculty and alumnae have left their footprints on the world with important impacts in science, medicine, the arts and much more.
Past alums like Winona Lee Hawthorne broke barriers by becoming UC’s first woman graduate in 1878, and Libby Holman, who graduated in 1923 at the age of 19 went on to make her mark as a successful Broadway stage star.
And countless other UC women who are still changing the world like Marilyn Hughes Gaston — a 1964 graduate of UC’s College of Medicine who became the country’s first black woman to direct a U.S. Public Health Service bureau — have broken down walls, fought racial and sexual discrimination and achieved academic success through strength, courage and creativity.
To honor the women of the past who paved the way for those bending the future, panel and luncheon events will be held throughout March highlighting women at UC.
UC’s Lindner Women in Business program started the month off on March 2, with another successful, sold-out Empowerment Day — the program’s annual all-day leadership conference organized to to enrich, enlighten and empower collegiate business women as they prepare to enter the workforce after graduation.
Included in the more than 200 UC student participants were 25 local high school seniors with outstanding offers for admission. The conference gave the future Bearcats a view of what life as a Lindner student can be — an key component of UC's Cincinnati Public School outreach as part of UC’s Next Lives Here strategic direction.
Beginning with National Women of Color Day on March 1 and National Women’s History Day on March 8, events will spotlight the National Women’s History Month theme for 2019, “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence.”
Women's History Month events
In 1916, UC was the first college in the country to offer a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing, reorganizing the five-year program to give academic credit for clinical work.
‘History and Influence of Women in the Pro-Choice Movement,’ sponsored by UC Women’s Center and UC Chapter of the 1 in 3 Campaign
Tuesday, March 5, 5-6 p.m., UC Women’s Center, 571 Steger Student Life Center
Join a discussion about the history of the pro-choice movement with some of the founding women. Activities include making posters for Reproduction Justice Action Week.
- UC Chapter of the 1 in 3 Campaign strives to engage and empower the UC community to start a new conversation about abortion that centers around women's experiences — encouraging compassion, tolerance and an appreciation of real-life dilemmas.
For more information, contact Amera Wittmann-Angel
‘We should all be feminists’ book club, sponsored by UC Women’s Center
Wednesday, March 6, 12-1 p.m., sixth floor, Steger Student Life Center
In celebration of WorldFest and Women’s History Month 2019, join Student Activities and Leadership Development (SALD) and the UC Women’s Center for a discussion about the book, "We should all be feminists," written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Books can be picked up in SALD (671 Steger) and are free to the first 30 students.
For more information
‘Wonder Woman Panel,’ sponsored by Cincinnati Hillel and UC Women’s Center
Emma Drongowski, program associate at GreenLight Fund and speaker at UC's Wonder Woman event
Wednesday, March 6, 6:30-8 p.m., TUC 419
Join an inspiring and empowering discussion about careers and the path to success with five local "wonder women." The panelists come from different countries, ethnicities and religions and all show that any woman can be successful.
Panelists include:
- Umeirra Savani – City of Cincinnati LGBTQ liaison
- Emma Drongowski – program associate at GreenLight Fund
- Tamia Stinson – creative director, photo stylist and founder of Tether Cincinnati
- Michelle Rojas-Tal – Hillel International’s central Shlicha and director of the Israel Fellows Agency
- Priya Dhingra Klocek – president and CEO of Consultant On the Go
Light dinner served at beginning of event.
For more information, contact Tamar Weissblueth
Cupcakes for the Cure, sponsored by UC Women’s Center
Monday, March 11, 7:30 p.m., 250 McMicken Hall
The purpose of Cupcakes for the Cure is to provide students with a way to support those who have battled and who are battling breast cancer. Help make a difference for families going through difficult times by enjoying sweets and fresh-baked goods.
For more information, contact Puja Patel
‘Reproductive Rights Around the World,’ sponsored by UC Women’s Center and UC Chapter of the 1 in 3 Campaign
Tuesday, March 12, 5-6 p.m., UC Women’s Center, 571 Steger Student Life Center
Join the discussion about how differently reproductive health care looks outside the U.S. Activities include making posters for Reproductive Justice Action Week.
For more information, contact Tamar Weissblueth
Lunch and Lobby with Ohio State Rep. Jessica Miranda, sponsored by UC Women’s Center
Wednesday, March 13, 12:30-1:30 p.m., UC Women’s Center, 571 Steger Student Life Center
Meet one of Ohio’s local state representatives and discuss issues that impact Cincinnati and Ohio. Open to all. Lunch provided.
Please RSVP at CampusLink
For more information, contact Angela Fitzpatrick
Allison Pitinii Davis book signing and reception, sponsored by UC Clermont English, languages and fine arts departments
Allison Pitinii Davis
Monday, March 25, UC Clermont
Allison Pitinii Davis is currently a doctoral student at the University of Tennessee where she serves as a poetry editor for the journal Grist and the author of “Line Study of a Motel Clerk.” As the winner of several prestigious book awards, her poetry has appeared in several publications such as Best American Poetry 2016, The New Republic, Crazyhorse, The Missouri Review and elsewhere. Learn more about Allison Pitinii Davis
- 8 a.m. Discussion (Location: Snyder 142)
- 9 a.m. Writing workshop (Location: Snyder 142)
- 10:10 a.m. Reading, book signing and reception (Location: Clermont College Library)
For more information, contact Phoebe Reeves
‘Reproductive Justice Art-ivism,’ sponsored by UC Women’s Center and UC Chapter of the 1 in 3 Campaign
Monday, March 25, 3:30-6:30 p.m., Swift Hall 608
Join an afternoon of creating art to help promote and practice positive forms of expression and activism. Activities include rock painting, button making, zine making (homemade publication) and various other arts and crafts.
For more information, contact Amera Wittmann-Angel
Vagina Cupcake Workshop, sponsored by UC Women’s Center and UC Chapter of the I in 3 Campaign
Tuesday, March 26, 1-4 p.m., Swift Hall 500
Join an afternoon of decorating cupcakes into various creative forms of vaginas. Cupcakes will be sold at the Reproductive Justice Fair on March 27.
For more information, contact Amera Wittmann-Angel
Reproductive Justice Fair, sponsored by UC Women’s Center and UC Chapter of the 1 in 3 Campaign
Wednesday, March 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., TUC 300
As part of Reproductive Justice Action Week, UC Women’s Center will host a fair to promote an open dialogue about reproductive health. Exhibits by various women’s organizations, games and more will be part of the fair. Contributions from local artists are welcome and encouraged for unique poems, paintings, performances, graphic designs and anything else on the subject of reproductive health.
Bake sale will include cupcakes created at the Vagina Cupcake Workshop on March 26.
For more information, contact Amera Wittmann-Angel
Lunch with the Doulas, sponsored by UC Women’s Center and UC Chapter of the 1 in 3 Campaign
Thursday, March 28, 12-3 p.m., UC Women’s Center, 571 Steger Student Life Center
Enjoy a relaxed and open conversation with several local doulas from Planned Parenthood on their experiences and volunteer work while enjoying a lunch provided by UC’s 1 in 3 Campaign.
For more information, contact Amera Wittmann-Angel
Feminist Self-Love Showcase, sponsored by UC Women’s Center
Thursday, March 28, 6-8 p.m., Catskeller, TUC 100
Join UC Women’s Center's Women in Leadership and Learning students for a night of feminist self-expression.
For more information, contact Angela Fitzpatrick
‘No Choice’ screening, sponsored by UC Women’s Center and UC Chapter of the 1 in 3 Campaign
Friday, March 29, 4-6 p.m., 127 McMicken Hall
Watch a screening of “No Choice,” which organizers say, features real-life stories that highlight the harmful barriers that restrict access to abortion both before and after Roe v. Wade. Snacks will be provided.
For more information, contact Amera Wittmann-Angel
Featured image at top: Tamia Stinson, creative director, photo stylist and founder of Tether Cincinnati and speaker at UC's Wonder Woman event. Photo features Stinson standing on Main Street in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine/photo provided
Tags
Related Stories
Celebrating Black history with a vision for the future
February 3, 2025
With a packed calendar of events spanning February, the university’s African American Cultural & Resource Center (AACRC) and partners are starting conversations, presenting performances and leading celebrations designed to educate, challenge and inspire.
Cincinnati Media: Big surprises for future UC Bearcats
January 30, 2025
Media from across Greater Cincinnati provided coverage of Decision Day 2025 activities at the University of Cincinnati. Five area high school students were surprised with admission, scholarships and a visit by the Bearcat Mascot, UC band and cheer team. UC Vice Provost Jack Miner welcomed the newest Bearcats to the university.
UC surprises, celebrates newest Bearcats on Decision Day
January 28, 2025
On Decision Day, future Bearcats learn they’ve been admitted to the University of Cincinnati. UC continues its tradition of surprising some of those students in person.