February 20, 2015
Women’s History Month events start Monday
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- In recognition of Women’s History Month, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is “Honoring our Trail Blazers” with numerous special events and guest speakers from Feb. 23 through April 1.
The kickoff event is a leadership and public service presentation by Linda Renee Baker at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, in the Student Center Ballrooms. Baker, a university professor with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, is the former director of the Illinois Department of Human Services. She strives, in partnership with the SIU School of Medicine, to expand people’s access to quality health care and to help minorities and people with disabilities reach their full potential.
Baker, who serves as a mentor to women and men across the campus, will receive an award for her leadership and service. Baker’s presentation is the first in the Leadership and Civic Services Series.
115th District state Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, is the guest at a “Pizza and Politics” event at 4 p.m. on March 16 in the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute lobby. After a 20-year career with the Illinois Department of Corrections, Bryant was elected to the state legislature in November, becoming the first woman to hold the seat in her district. There is no cost, but those planning to attend should RSVP by noon that day by calling 618/453-4078 or online at http://tinyurl.com/pizza-politics-terri-bryant.
The month offers a bipartisan appeal as Wendy Davis speaks on March 23 at 6 p.m. in the Student Center Ballrooms. Davis is a Harvard-educated attorney, author, former Texas state senator, former Fort Worth city council person and 2014 Texas Democratic gubernatorial nominee. Davis’ long public service career has earned her recognition as a women’s health care policy leader and she is widely known for her 13-hour Texas Senate filibuster to kill legislative action that would have reduced access to abortion care services for Texas women.
Davis will also sign copies of her book, “Forgetting to Be Afraid.”
Find the complete schedule of events online at www.inclusiveexcellence.siu.edu/wrc. Or, for additional information, contact the Women’s Resource Center, a unit of the Center for Inclusive Excellence, at 618/453-3740.
With the exception of the Celebrate Women luncheon on March 2, which is a scholarship fundraising event, all Women’s History Month activities are free and open to the public.
Women’s History Month sponsors include the Women’s Resource Center/Center for Inclusive Excellence, the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, the School of Law, the College of Business, the University Honors Program, Undergraduate Student Government, the Student Programming Council and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies.