National Women s History Month at the University of Cincinnati

Activities around UC's campuses celebrate the lives of women in general and several women in particular.

Wednesday, March 1 – Lunch with Marian Spencer
Noon – 2 p.m.
400A TUC

The granddaughter of a freed slave, Spencer has been a champion of human rights since she and her twin sister Millie arrived on the campus of the University of Cincinnati as scholarship students in 1938. While at UC, Spencer campaigned for the college prom to be open to all students. That was the start of her lifelong quest for equality for all Greater Cincinnatians. Spencer has been an activist for five decades. Known for her fierce determination, she took Coney Island management to court after being banished from the front gate by a guard brandishing a gun on the Fourth of July, 1952.

Thursday, March 2 – Leading Women
12th Annual Celebration of Women Luncheon
11:30 a.m.
Millennium Hotel in downtown Cincinnati.

Anne Sisson Runyan, the chair of the Department of Women’s Studies in the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, has been named the honoree in the consulting/training/education category. Mary Mahoney, MD, an associate professor of radiology and director of breast imaging and intervention in the UC Cancer Center, has been named the honoree in the healthcare category.

The keynote speaker will be Roxanne Qualls, director of Public Leadership Initiatives at Northern Kentucky University and former Mayor of the City of Cincinnati.

More Info or RSVP

Saturday, March 4 – Women’s Film Festival
Noon – 7:30 p.m.
Muntz Hall at Raymond Walters College

Co-sponsored by the Department of Women’s Studies and Raymond Walters College
Spend a day exploring the world through the eyes of award-winning filmmakers from Cuba, South Africa, Vietnam and the United States. View seventeen independent films — animations, experimental films, and documentaries — that will examine such diverse topics as love, lust, sex education, filmmaking, social injustice, cultural identity, tomboys and feminist ’zines.

Tuesday, March 7 – Women’s Networking Panel
7 – 9 p.m
400 TUC

Network with successful Cincinnati Women. Join us for an open forum for questions and answers from some of Cincinnati’s leading women: Victoria Morgan, Ashley Young, Jennifer Manders, Linda Parker, Barbara Rinto, Evelyn Collazollo, Rebecca Fellers and Barb Link. Co-sponsored by Sigma Phi and Student Government.

Wednesday March 8 – International Women’s Day
Noon – 2 p.m.
571 Steger Student Life Center

Obstetric fistula is a devastating result of childbirth without medical intervention when needed. It is an injury of childbearing that has been relatively neglected, despite the devastating impact it has on the lives of girls and women. It is usually caused by several days of obstructed labor. In most countries a Caesarean section is performed to relieve the pressure. If a C-section is not possible, a hole can be ripped in the woman’s tissues. According to the United Nations Population Fund, “The consequences of fistula are life shattering: The baby usually dies, and the woman is left with chronic incontinence. Because of her inability to control her flow of urine or feces, she is often abandoned or neglected by her husband and family and ostracized by her community. Without treatment, her prospects for work and family life are greatly diminished, and she is often left to rely on charity. Before the medical advances of the 20th Century, fistula was quite common in Europe and the United States. Today, fistula is almost unheard of in high-income countries, or in countries where obstetric care is widely available.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called fistula the “single most dramatic aftermath of neglected childbirth.” WHO estimates that there are 100,000 new fistula cases each year, but the international capacity to treat fistula remains at only 6,500 per year. Join in the discussion about the plight of women living with obstetric fistula and what is being done to stop it.

Thursday March 30 – “Iron Jawed Angels” Film Viewing and Discussion
5 – 7 p.m.
571 Steger Student Life Center

Katja von Garnier's "Iron Jawed Angels" tells the remarkable and little-known story of a group of passionate and dynamic young women who put their lives on the line to fight for American women's right to vote. This true story has startling parallels to today, as the young activists struggle with issues such as the challenges of protesting a popular president during wartime and the perennial balancing act between love and career.

Profiles of outstanding women faculty, staff and students will be displayed in the TUC Atrium and the UC Women’s Center throughout the month of March. Works of women writers are also being featured in the University Bookstore.

In addition to special programs, the UC Women’s Center continues its ongoing support and advocacy programs for women, such as:

• Open Sexual Assault Survivors support group meets every Wednesday, 2 – 3:30 p.m. in Room 559 Steger Student Life Center.
• Closed support groups, for members only, are offered every quarter, as well. Contact Amy Howton at 556-0173 for information.
• MOMs support group meets Thursdays from 12 –1:30 p.m., in the Women' s Center (lunch is provided).

For more information about these programs, contact

Tamika C. Odum
Program Manager, Outreach and Promotions
UC Women's Center

Tel: (513) 556-6261
Dept: (513) 556-4401
Fax (513) 556-0686
Web: www.uc.edu/ucwc