ELIZABETH SUSKI
Special to The Leader
Not only is March known for St. Patrick’s Day, but it is also known for celebrating women’s history.
Women’s History Month was created in 1981 when Congress proclaimed the week until March 7 would be Women’s History Week. In 1987, the celebration went from being a week long to a whole month.
And there is one group on campus that is celebrating Women’s History Month. The Fredonia Feminists will be hosting their version of women’s history all month long.
Fredonia Feminists is an inclusive group on campus that works to spread information about feminism and promote a united community.
“We call it ‘Herstory’ Month to highlight the contributions women have made throughout the ages — especially to feminism. We like to focus on trans women, women of color, and other femme presenting or identifying individuals,” said junior psychology major and criminology minor Opal Kelly.
Kelly is the president of the Fredonia Feminists.
The Herstory Month events kicked off on March 5.
Fredonia Feminists co-sponsored a workshop with Pride Alliance and STEPS where activist Ignacio Rivera talked about genderqueer identity and sexual liberation.
“We are hosting a showing of ‘Oceans 8’ on the 19, and on the 23 we are having alumni Jimmy Scamacca lead a screen printing event in which attendees can bring any article of clothing or accessory to get a design of their choosing printed onto it,” said Kelly.
The Women and Gender Studies department’s annual gender and social change lecture will be held on April 3 and will consist of a panel of queer and transgender women who made significant contributions to the LGBTQ commuity in Buffalo. The Keynote speaker is TBA and will come to campus in April.
“My favorite thing about Herstory month is seeing the high attendance at our events and seeing the reactions people have to the speakers that we bring in and to the events we host,” Kelly said.
For more information on Fredonia Feminists and events coming this month, the club can be contacted on Facebook and Twitter @FredFeminists.