Women’s History Month is dedicated to celebrating women all over the world. Women who have contributed to culture and society, and advocated for inclusion and equity. The event is celebrated each March.

This month serves as an important reminder to all that women deserve to be celebrated and appreciated.

Women like artist Frida Kahlo, who attempted to normalize female issues such as breastfeeding and miscarriage through her artwork. Or Maya Angelou who used poetry to express her rights as an independent Black woman. And Jane Adams who founded the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in 1919.

Inspiring women are all around us and it is important to not only recognize their legacy, but continue it into today’s world.

Concordia senior and president of the Hawaiian club, Isabella Johnson, says, “If it weren’t for the social changes in the last century, I would not be here at Concordia receiving a higher education, nor would I likely be able to have a leadership position.”

“Women’s History Month is about recognizing the feminist movements that fought to improve the lives of women before us,” Johnson explained.

Dr. Kristen Koenig, professor of sociology, teaches a class at Concordia about women and gender studies. Koenig credits this class for her heightened interest in women's history.

“The more that you study the role of women in history, the more that you really understand the many obstacles that women have faced historically, in all domains... obstacles in terms of even being recognized as fully human. I think that sometimes we get lost in contemporary conversation, not realizing the incredible strides we have made,” Koenig said.

Some of the role models that Koenig looks up to include historic trail blazers such as Susan B. Anthony, Mary Wollstoncraft and Dorothy Day.

Koenig also recognizes several male voices who have also been outspoken about women's rights throughout history. “I think both women and men have actually played an incredibly important voice in helping women to fight for their civil rights. People like William Loyd Garrison or Frederick Douglass fought for suffrage rights in the 1800s.”

Bella Amore, the living and learning community for women located in the Upper Quads, hosted an event to celebrate International Women’s Day. Koenig gave a presentation on the idea of “re-imagining women’s narratives around the world. We discussed some of the societal narratives and historical narratives that women have maybe internalized. We talked about how we could re-imagine those narratives that we tell ourselves or tell others.”

To wrap Women’s History Month. Diversity Awareness hosted an event in the Unity Center on Thurs., March 21 to discuss women who have been an inspiration. Prizes were awarded in a raffle, and snacks and drinks were provided.

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