HERstory: Binghamton University Celebrates Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month — an opportunity to honor and celebrate the often-overlooked contributions of women to art, government, technology, culture and society. This month-long event has been celebrated annually since 1987 and is a chance to learn more about the vital contributions that women have made in creating a shared American history. Binghamton University encourages our community to learn more about influential figures like Abigail Adams, Harriet Tubman, Wilma Mankiller, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Shirley Chisolm and others. Learn more about women’s history milestones and check out some of the campus events listed below.
Learned in the art of heavenly combat: Clare of Assisi, female sanctity and the power of tears in the thirteenth century.
Join the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, in the Institute for Advanced Studies in in the Humanities (IASH) Conference Room, Library North-1106, for PhD candidate Hannah Jones’ talk on Clare of Assisi.
Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), a cloistered nun and early supporter of Francis of Assisi, has long been viewed by scholars as a traditional feminine exemplar of chastity and obedience. However, Clare’s “copious tears” and unceasing prayers functioned as spiritual weapons as God’s champion on earth. This presentation will contextualize the power of Clare’s tears by considering how forms of affective piety enabled women to bypass clerical authorities and become consequential figures in their communities.
Corazoncitos Women’s Day Flower Sale
On International Women’s Day, Corazoncitos will be selling yellow carnation flowers from noon-4 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, in the Tillman Lobby. Purchase a flower and gift it to any woman you would like to honor, and help us celebrate women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural and political achievements.
Harriet Tubman Day: Freedom Trail Project
Harriet Tubman Day is a federal holiday celebrated every year on March 10, the approximate date of Tubman’s birth. This year, at 10 a.m. Friday, March 10, the Harriet Tubman Center for Freedom and Equity will celebrate the recent announcement of a $400,000 grant by New York State with the unveiling of the Harriet Tubman historical marker – the first of 12 markers on the new Downtown Binghamton Freedom Trail – at the University Downtown Center, 67 Washington St., Binghamton.
Pop-up art exhibit: women’s history
#BingCollects is a joint project between the University Art Museum and University Libraries’ Special Collections that brings awareness of these rich and diverse holdings to our community through pop-up exhibitions. The pop-ups exhibits are held in unique locations around campus, centered on a specific theme. Stop by the University Union from noon-2 p.m. Friday, March 10 for the next pop-art exhibit in honor of Women’s History Month.
Sister’s Circle: My Beautiful Black Hair
Filmmaker, photographer, author and activist St. Clair Detrick-Jules will stop by the Multicultural Resource Center Lounge from 2-4 p.m. Friday, March 10, to talk about her new book, My Beautiful Black Hair. A collection of empowering stories and captivating photos, My Beautiful Black Hair celebrates an aspect of Black femininity—natural hair—and embraces it as a central part of Black womanhood. Detrick-Jules will sign books and lead a workshop. Sister’s Circle is a monthly informal social meeting for women of color sponsored by P.U.L.S.E. and the MRC.
“Friends of DEI” Social Mixer
Join the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for its spring faculty and staff social mixer in celebration of Women’s History Month at 6 p.m. Friday, March 10, in the Benet Alumni Lounge in Old Union Hall. Featuring refreshments and karaoke by Kelli Rose. All faculty and staff welcome.
The Vagina Monologues
The Dickinson Community Players present Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues from 8-11 p.m. Saturday, March 11, in the C4 Multipurpose Room. This ground-breaking show focuses on topics around women’s bodies using empowering language while tackling sensitive and taboo subjects. Admission is free at the door, although donations will be accepted to support on and off-campus services for domestic and sexual violence survivors.
Empower: Women of Color in Business Conference
The Multicultural Resource Center is hosting Empower: The Women of Color in Business Leadership Conference beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 18, in Old Union Hall, in collaboration with the Fleishman Center, School of Management and P.U.L.S.E. This day-long conference is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn from dynamic women of color across our community. For more information email mrc@binghamton.edu.
P.U.L.S.E. Celebrates Women’s History Month
Since 2007, the Powerful United Ladies Striving to Elevate (P.U.L.S.E.) has been educating, elevating and empowering women of color through a network of support through a cultural, educational, social and personal lens. P.U.L.S.E. has announced March 2023 as “Revolutionary, Thy Name is Woman” month, with a schedule of programming and events including collaborations, community service and fundraising. Follow P.U.L.S.E. on Instagram for more information and upcoming events.
Empowerment Brunch for Women’s History Month
The Q Center presents its Empowerment Brunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, in the Innovative Technologies Center (ITC) rotunda. The annual event brings together Binghamton University faculty, staff, students,and community members for an afternoon of community building, critical discussion and celebration. Along with food and refreshments, the event will feature a panel discussion with New York-based activists and an awards ceremony recognizing individuals for their work toward gender justice. For additional information, contact the Q Center.
Amplifying Women's History Month Reading List
The Libraries recognize Women’s History Month by highlighting new works in the collections by and about women. Women’s history means the representation of historically excluded groups, such as people of color, the LGBTQ community and people with different abilities. It involves accomplishments in fields including but not limited to activism, the arts, STEM and politics. Explore the Amplifying Women’s History Month Reading List, along with the Libraries’ Women’s History Month 2023 research guide, for great reads this month.
Kim Mousseau is the communications manager for the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and loves telling the diversity story at Binghamton. In her free time, you can find her volunteering at the Broome County Humane Society, practicing one-legged yoga moves and reading (way too late) into the night.
Have questions, comments or concerns about the blog? Email us at social@binghamton.edu.