February 26, 2019
SIU celebrates Women’s History Month with guest speakers, films and special activities
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale is celebrating Women’s History Month in March with a variety of special events, guest speakers and activities.
The celebration begins Monday with a Visionary Women’s March. It starts at 4:30 p.m. at the entrance to Thompson Point and concludes at the Student Center. The formal kick-off is from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Old Main Room
Sheila Simon will speak, perform
Sheila Simon, a visiting assistant professor at the SIU School of Law, will be the guest speaker. Simon who served as Illinois lieutenant governor from 2011 to 2015, is the daughter of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon and the late Illinois State Rep. Jeanne Hurley Simon. A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Sheila Simon has a long legacy in law and public service.
Simon will perform with an all-female band. Refreshments will be served.
Activity focuses on enhancing diversity and inclusivity
A special event on March 6 will focus on the university’s culture. “Introducing Diversity and Exclusivity” is set for 5:30-7 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium. Catarina Alves and Remya Perinchery, doctoral students in psychology, will lead the cultural awareness and inclusivity training. Alves and Perinchery are research assistants for the Associate Chancellor for Diversity’s office.
The event’s goal is to increase cultural awareness and communication and help people from diverse cultures learn from others and work together.
Documentary will present powerful story
“On Her Shoulders,” an acclaimed 2018 documentary will allow viewers to experience the struggles of human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Nadia Murad as she seeks to bring the plight of her people, the Yazidis, to the attention of the United Nations and the world. The documentary chronicles the ISIS genocide of the Yazidi in northern Iraq in 2014.
The film will be shown at 7 p.m., March 7 in the Hiram H. Lesar Law Building Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public.
Murad tells the story of what she and her people have suffered and she works to bring ISIS to the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. Murad was the 2016 Glamour magazine Woman of the Year, a Nobel Peace prize nominee and received numerous other awards for her work.
Several other events planned throughout the month
SIU will sponsor a wide variety of events and activities commemorating and celebrating women’s history. A few of the highlights include:
- “Celebrate Women: Honoring Inclusive Excellence,” a reception, awards ceremony and scholarship fundraiser is set for 4:30-7 p.m. on March 21 in Morris Library’s John C. Guyon Auditorium. The event honors women while also raising money to fund scholarships to help other women reach their goals. Retired United States Marine Corps Lt. Colonel Kate Germano will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $25 and are available by contacting Martha Ellert at 618/521-0613 or msellert@aol.com.
- International Women’s Coffee Hour, 3-5 p.m. on March 22 at the Center for International Education. All are women invited to come get acquainted and celebrate the diversity within campus while enjoying coffee and refreshments.
- “Obstetric Fistula in the Developing World” at 6 p.m. March 28 in Room 170 of the Student Services Building. The event highlights women’s health issues, more commonly encountered in developing nations. Ella Phillips Lacey, emeritus health education professor, and Dr. Sherry Jones are the presenters.
- “Lifting as We Climb: Empowering Women through Community and Leadership” retreat at Touch of Nature Environmental Center on March 29-30. The event is a time of leadership enrichment and personal development for students and features interactive discussions and networking. The $20 registration fee covers transportation, activities and meals. Find more information and registration online.
To learn more
Additional information about Women’s History Month 2019, including the complete schedule of events, is available on the Student Multicultural Resource Center website, by calling 618/453-3740 or by emailing wrc@siu.edu.