It’s Women’s History Month! With its official start in 1987, this month aims to celebrate and acknowledge the women who have been underrepresented, overlooked, and underappreciated. On campus, we often celebrate this month with events, discussions, and acknowledgments of the women who work tirelessly on this campus.
To me, Women’s History Month is very important. One of my favorite things about it is the emphasis on intersectional women. This means, for example, being disabled and being a woman. There can even be more levels, such as being a Black disabled woman. Because I am a disabled woman, I love learning more about all the amazing things women did for the Disability Rights Movement. This includes the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement,” Judy Heumann. While we can always focus our attention on the stories and experiences of women, it’s beautiful to have a month where these stories are highlighted so we can continue to learn more about the women who shaped our world. It helps me feel empowered to see that if they can do the amazing and positive things they do, so can I!
I wanted to give a shout-out to my mom, who, through being a disabled woman herself, has taught me how to persevere through hard times. She is my best example of what being a woman means. She is tough, strong, and kind. She is also such a beautiful woman inside and out, and I love her very much.
I asked some women on our campus these questions: “What is the significance of this month?” and “What does the month mean to you personally?” Here are their responses:
“When you take a month to focus on something, you really focus hard on what women have done. And I feel empowered by that because I am a part of the group we’re uplifting, so to see women like me do inspiring things makes me feel like I can, too.”
- Fiorella Oudri (freshman, speech-language pathology).
“To me, it means more than just celebrating achievements; it's a reminder that women have faced challenges, broken barriers, and excelled. This inspires resilience and determination in my own journey, encouraging a positive mindset and setting an example for the future for me and other women around me.”
- Gabby White (senior, psychology pre-law)
“Women’s History Month is significant because it is a time in which we can take time to recognize all of the women who have come before us and have given us so many luxuries we have today. It is also a time to celebrate womanhood and the special women in each of our lives. While I believe this should be practiced regularly, it is also nice to have a month of intentionally celebrating women and our rich history. This month is significant to me because of the fact that I have been blessed with so many amazing women in my life and I enjoy taking the opportunity to let them know that I appreciate them. I also have so many female role models in history that I look up to, and I like taking the time to reflect on their legacy and how impactful they still are in our modern lives.”
- Savannah Tyler (junior, speech-language pathology)
“Women’s History Month to me means reflecting on the barriers women have faced throughout history as well as appreciating the achievements and contributions the women in my life have overcome. Both continue to inspire me in pursuing my goals, knowing that I can be part of a legacy of strong, resilient women.”
- Caitlyn Castelo (junior, psychology)
“WHM gives an opportunity for people to learn more about the history of women, and I think that is important!”
- Glenielle Sta Ana (junior, speech-language pathology)
“This month represents the parts of history that are often overlooked. It reminds us that many women throughout history and the world have made positive change and stood up for what they believed in and that it should never be forgotten.”
- Katlin Nelson (senior, music education)
As you can see, this month has personally impacted women's lives, even on this campus. Let’s celebrate all the incredible women we know and love this month and acknowledge all their accomplishments. Happy Women’s History Month! To all the women I know, I see you and am cheering for you in every good thing you do.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 老司机传媒. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 老司机传媒 or the Seventh-day Adventist church.