BETHANY CLANCY
Staff Writer
The start of March brings the start of a very important month for the Fredonia Feminists: Women’s History Month or “Herstory Month.”
March 2 kicked off Herstory Month with a “Period Party” as the opening ceremony of events in the MPR. This event collected period products for the Compass House, a youth shelter in Buffalo, NY. More than just a collection drive, though, there were crafts to make, buttons being made and free food.
The main idea the Fredonia Feminists wanted to get across with this event was “ … ending the stigma surrounding periods and being trans inclusive when talking about periods. We wanted to stress that not all women have periods and not all people who have periods are women,” said Anneliese Bienko, a junior social work major and treasurer of the group.
Sydney Flanagan, a junior double major in women’s and gender studies and music industry and president of Fredonia Feminists discussed what feminism meant to her in relation to Women’s Herstory month.
“Feminism to me is advocating for marginalized people across the board, not just those who experience gender-based oppression. It’s being compassionate, informed and active in not only your own communities but those of others, and constantly questioning and challenging the world around you,” she said.
Besides celebrating Women’s History, Fredonia Feminists also bring awareness to the feminist issues in today’s society. The other events include a trauma inclusive sex-ed lecture with Mickey Valentine, which is specialized towards people who have been victims of sexual assault and rape, on March 22 in Williams Center S204ABC from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; a zine making workshop with feminist artist Lora Mathis on March 27 in Williams Center S204ABC from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Herstory trivia on March 6 from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in William’ Center S204ABC; “Girls To the Front,” a concert celebrating women in music which will be held on March 9 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the MPR; a film screening of “Marie Antoinette” on March 20 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in McEwen G24 where popcorn will be available; and a Gender and Social Change Lecture featuring Wagatwe Wanjuki on March 30 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in McEwen 209 as well as from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Horizon Room. The lecture will end this month’s events with the closing ceremony dinner in the Horizon Room which is free to all students.