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Millersville University recognizes March as Women’s History Month, and March 8 is internationally recognized as Women’s Day. The Ware Center and the President’s Commission on the Status of Women at the University are hosting several events to honor the contributions of women and to celebrate the date.
Friday, March 4
On Friday, March 4 an exhibit titled “GIRL,” will open in and around the Regitz Gallery in the Ware Center. The exhibit will feature a collaborative and interactive art installation created by identifying women artists of Lancaster and will run through March 25. Each piece of artwork incorporates themes of survival, liberation and embodiment of self.
Also on March 4, the Ware Center will host a screening of “EQUAL MEANS EQUAL,” a documentary on the Women’s Rights Movement. This event will include a pre-screening panel with the women involved in the making of the documentary visiting Lancaster from New York City and Los Angeles, and break-out discussions will be held afterward.
Panelists include Kamala Lopez, who directed, wrote and produced the film. She has worked as an actor in over 30 feature films and 60 television shows and formed a production company, Heroica Films, with the mission to produce media for women and about women.
Natalie White, co-director of “EQUAL MEANS EQUAL,” will also attend the panel. White is a progressive feminist and artist who led a 250-mile march from New York City to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness for the Equal Rights Amendment.
Dr. Brigette Alexander will also be joining Lopez and White as their film consultant. Alexander oversees the Sexual Response Team at NYC-based hospitals. Joel Marshall, a producer of “EQUAL MEANS EQUAL” will also be in attendance.
Lopez’s film was created to educate Americans about the importance of equal rights under federal law for women. The film is summarized as, “an unflinching look at how women are treated in the United States today.”
Tickets for this event are free. The doors will open at 6 p.m., with the pre-screening panel beginning at 6:15 p.m. For more information, click here.
Tuesday, March 8
On Tuesday, March 8 the PCSW will host its 4th annual International Women’s Day event, a Theodora Talk with the theme “Bias: Care in a Time of Pandemic and Political Division. These Theodora Talks are similar to a TED talk, but from a feminine perspective.
Presenters include Stacie Blake, the CEO of YWCA in Lancaster, and Dr. Jennifer DeLutis of Penn Medicine at Lancaster Health. Talisa Ramos-Watts, the director of DEI Education in the Office of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, is also set to present.
Before the event, there will be a showcase of local women-owned businesses at a reception starting at 6 p.m. The Theodora Talks event will begin at 7 p.m.
“March is an important month for self-identified women,” explains Jessica Transue, vice-chair of the PCSW, “It’s a time to celebrate achievements of women around the world.”
The PCSW is the oldest of the three President’s Commissions at the University. Founded in 1988, it was instrumental in creating the Women’s and Gender Studies Program and the Women’s Issues Endowment on campus.
The PCSW is always looking to expand membership. If interested, please email womens.commission@millersville.edu.
