UK Continues Women’s History Month Celebration With Events Throughout March
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March. 21, 2022) — March is Women’s History Month, and the University of Kentucky is hosting a number of events for the campus community to celebrate the accomplishments of women all over.
The events are sponsored by the UK Martin Luther King Center, in partnership with multiple Office for Student Success units, including Student Organizations and Activities, Off-Campus Student Services, First-Generation Student Services and other campus champions.
“Each year, it is our institutional vision to educate and empower our students and greater campus communities to learn about and regain the power to narrate their own stories, while telling the history of those, and particularly, Wildcats, who came before us,” said Ruth González Jiménez, Latino student community specialist with the MLK Center. “This month, we celebrate the Woman.”
González Jiménez said the center is excited to celebrate in collaboration with culturally-based student organizations, including the Muslim Student Association. Zaib Amatullah, executive board member with the UK Muslim Student Association, said the events will be educational and intended to celebrate the diversity of Muslimas — women who follow Islam.
“I am looking forward to this year's Women's History Month because we will have a wide variety of representation, especially for women of color and unique backgrounds," Amatullah said. "For example, our campus Muslim Student Association will be hosting the annual Islamic Awareness Week during the last week of Women's History Month. We will be handing out hijabs/ scarfs for students to try out and take home. We believe it is crucial to highlight and bring awareness to the topic of women in Islam on campus. Hence, we are thrilled to host this event and give the proper representation and appreciation to all the beautiful women in Islam during this essential month of women's history.”
2022 Women’s History Month events will include:
Tapas & Topics: Women in Asia 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 22, in the MLK Center multipurpose room in the Gatton Student Center. Hosted by the Asian /Asian American Association and the Martin Luther King Center.
Tea & Cookies Noon-2 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, in C-201 of the Gatton Student Center. Hosted by Off-Campus and First-Generation Student Services, this mixer is open to students, faculty and staff. Register at https://uky.campuslabs.com/engage/event/7985500.
“Distinguished Women’s Panel” 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, in the Gatton Student Center’s Brockman Senate Chamber. Hosted by UK EMPOWER, the Distinguished Women's Panel is an annual event that brings women leaders in to share their experiences and discuss leadership in the context of empowering women. This year’s panelists will include Sheri Estill, director of community on engagement for The Nest; Hannah LeGris, council member for District 3 in Fayette County; Adina Tatum, director of operations for Julietta Market; and JoEllen Wilhoite, director of philanthropy for The Nest. More information at https://uky.campuslabs.com/engage/event/7933971.
The Coretta Scott King Celebration Luncheon Noon-1:30 p.m., Friday, March 25, in the Harris Ballroom of the Gatton Student Center. The MLK Center will highlight and honor members of the campus community who actively embody the work and legacy of Coretta Scott King through their leadership and community engagement efforts, particularly for women of color. Register here.
“Women in Islam”: tabling and panel discussion
These events coincide with Islam Awareness Week, March 28-April 1.
- Tabling: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday, March 31, at the Social Staircase in the Gatton Student Center. Hosted by the Muslim Student Association, participants will receive hijabs, learn how to wear one and learn the differences between burkas, hijabs and other headwear across Islam.
- Panel discussion: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, March 31, in room 203 at The 90. This event will explore the purpose of the hijab and women’s journey with it. Learn the significance and importance of the hijab and why it matters so much to the women who wear it. All women are invited to take part in the conversation.
For more information about Women’s History Month events, contact González Jiménez at ruth.gonzalez@uky.edu, or visit the Martin Luther King Center website.
The campus community can further connect to the MLK Center by joining the weekly email listserv or following them on Instagram @UK_MLKCenter.
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