Dr. Linda Van Ingen
director of the Women’s Studies Program, University of Nebraska at Kearney, 308.865.8772
UNK– An art exhibit, panel discussions, films and self-defense training are among the activities planned for Women’s History Month at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
“This year is the 30th anniversary of Women’s History Month,” said Dr. Linda Van Ingen, Women’s and Gender Studies Program director. “In 1980, President Jimmy Carter declared the first week of March as Women’s History Week. In 1998, the observation was expanded to the month of March.“
“The national theme for this year is ‘Writing Women Back into History,’” Dr. Van Ingen said. “This theme applies to various disciplines and discusses the perception of women today compared to how they were perceived in the past.” All events are free and open to the public.
Throughout the month, the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) will have a “Women in Art” exhibit on display at the UNK Calvin T. Ryan Library.
On Wednesday, March 10, at 4-5 p.m. a panel discussion on “Writing Women Back into History” will take place in the Nebraskan Student Union Room 310. Dr. Van Ingen; Dr. Julia Campbell, assistant professor of criminal justice and social work; and Tone Mendoza, UNK library diversity specialist/lecturer, will lead the discussion. The event is cosponsored by the UNK Women’s Center and Phi Alpha Theta history honor society.
“We will discuss how history has integrated women into the classroom, the university, and in research,” Dr. Van Ingen said.
A discussion on modern gender roles will take place from 4-5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, in the Nebraskan Student Union Fireside Lounge. The event is sponsored by Phi Alpha Theta and Iota Iota Iota, the Women’s and Gender Studies student honor society.
“This discussion will include students from our sponsoring groups who will talk about how gender roles have changed over time, how their lives compare to their grandparents’ and parents’ lives,” Dr. Van Ingen said.
On Thursday, March 25, “Women and Sexuality” will be the topic of discussion from 4-5 p.m. at the Fireside Lounge. The discussion, which is sponsored by Iota Iota Iota, will be led by sociology professor Dr. Diane Wysocki.
A film festival showing will take place nightly Monday-Thursday, March 22-March 25. The films, which will be shown at 7 p.m. at Copeland Hall in Room 140, will include “Iron-Jawed Angels,” Monday; “Sarafina!” Tuesday; “Joy Luck Club,” Wednesday; and “Real Women Have Curves,” Thursday. The film festival is sponsored by the UNK Office of Multicultural Affairs student group, Sister-to-Sister.
On Saturday, March 27, Iota Iota Iota will sponsor a film marathon at University View, which connects Nester North and Nester South residence halls.
Activities will conclude with Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Training from 7-8 p.m. on Monday, March 29. RAD, which was first offered last fall, features instructors who teach women various self-defense methods such as blocking, strikes, escapes, vulnerable areas of an attacker and how to develop a plan of action.
