Women’s History Month celebrates UC trailblazers

In the spirit of Women's History Month and in celebration of this year’s national theme, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” UC highlights powerful advocates and reformers through a series of exciting events throughout March.

Beginning on March 3, participate in discussions on Black feminism and reproductive justice after the overturn of Roe v. Wade or enjoy film screenings on combating racism and homophobia. Several events provide fun and safe spaces to engage in personal stories while recognizing UC’s increasingly diverse, equitable and inclusive landscape.

For decades, the expression “having a seat at the table” has been used to gauge people’s access to power and decision making in the workplace, in their communities and in political spaces — access often equated with their ability to enact change. This year’s Black Feminist Symposium theme, “Building Our Own Table, Defining Our Own Terms,” explores the friction between working within oppressive systems versus working from the outside. 

While reflecting on the past, celebrating the present and looking to the future, UC honors its female scholars and staff for their extraordinary accomplishments and tireless dedication. From Alice May Easton and Marian Spencer, UC alumnae who broke racial barriers to the Braun sisters who broke early gender barriers in the biological sciences, UC heroines today continue to become recognized leaders across the globe.

In honor of International Women’s History Day on March 8, UC Women’s Center will open nominations for the Woman of the Year award — honoring a faculty or staff member who consistently works to improve the lives of students and shows a commitment to gender equity while advocating for women and gender minorities. Only UC students can submit nominations, which will be open during the second week in March on the UC Women's Center CampusLINK page.

Check out the full list of events sponsored by UC Student Affairs.

Location: TUC Cinema (TUC 415 for discussion following the film) 

View the Intercommunity Justice & Peace Center's "Race and Racism in Cincinnati" film series. The three-part docuseries tells the story of Cincinnati’s history from the racial margins — a history that is not often told in school curriculums or in mainstream white culture. All three parts explore how race and racism shaped Cincinnati from its inception to the present day, placing the storytelling authority in the hands of common people, rather than the people who hold power. 

Films are free for UC students, faculty and staff. Registration in CampusLink is required. 

Screening times:

• Part 1 - March 7, “Early History” (6:30-8:30 p.m.) 

• Part 2 - March 20, “Reconstruction/Jim Crow” (6:30-8:30 p.m.) 

• Part 3 - April 11, “Race & Racism Today” (6:30-8:30 p.m.) 

Sponsored by the Center for Community Engagement; Nathaniel R. Jones Center for Race, Gender, and Social Justice; and the Center for Truth Racial Healing & Transformation.

Location: TBD

Members of the local Ohio Lesbian Archives (OLA) will share stories of discovery, spotlight some of their collections and highlight this unique source of local women’s and queer history in Cincinnati. The OLA is one of only a handful of such dedicated archives in the U.S. and has been collecting materials by and about lesbians and Greater Cincinnati LGBTQ+ communities for more than three decades. They are open by appointment for students, researchers or anyone curious about lesbian culture, wanting lesbian empowerment or who wants to learn more about histories of local LGBTQ+ communities, movements and individuals.

Location: UC Women’s Center, 571 Steger

Join Women’s Center staff for an afternoon of collage-making and other crafts. Created by WGSS graduate student Abby Hobbs and womens’ center student staff, Amaya Boyd.

Location: UC College of Law, room 170

The UC Nathaniel R. Jones Center for Race, Gender, and Social Justice in the College of Law presents a social justice expo event featuring women and LGBTQ+ oriented community leaders and organizations. Learn about organizations, volunteer opportunities and potential internship and externship opportunities.

For more information, contact: Jenn Dye (513) 556-7467

Location: UC African American Cultural and Resource Center (AACRC), 60 W. Charlton

Register to attend this writing workshop inspired by Lucille Cliftonʼs poem “Homage to my hips,” which defines her body on her own terms — each line celebrates womanhood and honors her “big” and powerful hips.

The workshop provides space for Black women to write poems about their own body, sexuality and womanhood, and empowers Black women participants to make strength training a part of their self-care practice. Participants will each receive a collection of poetry.

• First half of the workshop, participants will read and discuss poems by Black women poets that explore autonomy, sexuality/sexual relationships, the body, race and womanhood. Facilitators Simone Savannah and Morgan-Allison Moore will lead a writing activity to help participants generate one poem to share at the end of the workshop. 
• Second half of the workshop, participants hear stories about the facilitatorsʼ body and fitness journeys. Following the presentations, participants will learn and practice the best exercises to grow the glutes and strengthen the legs and hips. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their personal stories and ask questions related to the body and the gym. 
• Workshop ends with an open mic session where participants may share their poem written during the first half of the workshop. 

Space is limited. Registration required via CampusLink

Presented by Simone Savannah, PhD, and Morgan-Allison Moore

Co-sponsored by UC Women’s Center and the Taft Research Center.

Check back daily for newly added events.

Featured image at top: Graphic by Shutterstock