A committee of Ferris State University students, faculty and staff has arranged a
schedule of a dozen events during March to raise awareness and celebrate opportunity
during Women’s History Month.
Organizers, supported by Ferris’ Office of Multicultural Student Services, have developed a schedule that includes messages of female empowerment, while others illuminate continuing issues such as gender pay inequity and misogyny. A film series begins Tuesday, March 13 in Room 135 of the Ferris Library for Information, Technology and Education (FLITE), where multiple screenings of the featured films continue at that site through Tuesday, March 27. The Ferris Museum of Sexist Objects, housed in Room 314 of the Starr Building, will be open for tours from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 22. Tracy Busch, the museum’s lead faculty member, serves on the Women’s History Month organizing committee.
The 2018 Women’s Advocacy, Education and Resource Fair is a featured event during Women’s History Month, and will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 21 in the Interdisciplinary Resource Center Connector. Jody Gardei, a spokesperson for the Women’s Advocacy Forum, said organizers are encouraging male and female students, faculty and staff to consider attending the fair and all other Women’s History Month events.
“Members of the forum will be participating in the fair, including our Karen Simmon, a project manager for the Physical Plant, who will be hosting a ‘Women in History’ game,” Gardei said. “We want all who attend to consider how women might be encouraged to pursue professions where they may be under-represented. We are excited about the opportunity to raise awareness and support their empowerment, as our group is dedicated to help women make that personal journey.”
The fair will also feature entries in a student poster board competition, community agencies that offer resources and support for women, and female-centered registered student organizations. Indra Phillips, a junior in Political Science from Detroit, is president of Ferris’ National Organization for Women RSO, which will organize a Tribute to Women on Monday, March 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Room 202A of the University Center.
“NOW is hosting other workshops during March and we are looking forward to an RSO collaboration on Thursday, March 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the All-Purpose Room of the Ewigleben Sports Complex,” Phillips said. “The men-versus-women competitions we will hold that evening are meant to be fun, but will also point out that women are capable of accomplishment, of doing anything. Our chapter will also hold a workshop on domestic violence and sexual assault on Tuesday, March 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the community room of West Campus Apartments.”
The lineup of events began Thursday, March 1, as Physical Sciences Professor Pasquale Di Raddo reviewed those manipulative messages often found in 20th Century print advertising in the University Center.
The OMSS office welcomes emails from those with questions about a particular event.
PHOTO CAPTION: Student groups and Ferris State University faculty and staff have
collaborated on a schedule of Women's History Month events during March. A featured
event includes the 2018 Women's Advocacy, Education and Resource Fair, to be held
Wednesday, March 21 in the IRC Connector.