On March 1—the first day of Women’s History Month—I was able to catch the acting president of the Women’s Empowerment Association of Andrews University (WEAAU), Lexie Dunham (junior, psychology), while she was handing out the club’s new crewneck sweaters to student members in the campus center. We talked about the importance of Women’s History Month and WEAAU’s upcoming events.
It’s finally, officially, Women’s History Month. Are you excited about it? Why?
Oh my goodness, yes. I’m so excited about it because this is the month for the Women’s Empowerment club, and we have a lot of things planned for it.
Can you tell me a little bit about those things you guys have planned?
Of course. Right now, we’re giving out our sweaters for the first day. On March 7, from 4-6, we’re going to be partnering with a bunch of colleges, including Andrews, for a women’s panel in the HPAC. There’s going to be food, there’s going to be music, there’s going to be art, there’s going to be all these really powerful women speaking. And we’re planning on doing some Tuesday co-curriculars—possibly a sip and paint with Dr. Hatfield, who will be talking about some things pertaining to women. We’re going to be doing some cool things like asking people to “name a woman who impacted you,” and we’re also going to be going around to a bunch of the different female professors and talking to and really highlighting them during Women’s History Month.
That’s so cool that there’s all that on the agenda—I’m really excited to see and participate in everything you guys do this month. My next question is a little broad and cliche, but I want to see what your opinions are. What’s your favorite part of Women’s History Month?
I think it’s just highlighting different women who impact us. We often think about the women who had an impact on us, or who changed us, but during this month, we really highlight them and thank them for the steps they’ve taken to get us this far. Also, I really like learning new stories about different women and their experiences. I really like the whole empowerment of it.
I agree. It makes a big difference when we’re intentionally highlighting the women we look up to, rather than passively thinking about them. Who’s one woman who is someone you look up to?
My mom. I know that’s so basic to say, but because she and I are both disabled women, our experiences are a lot alike. She’s really empowered me for my entire life. I love that woman. There’s a ton of other awesome women, too. I know Michelle Obama is really cliche, but I just love her.
Right! I don’t think I could begin to list all the women who have positively impacted my life. Anyways, my last question for you today is: Why is it important to celebrate Women’s History Month?
It’s important to acknowledge the steps that we’ve taken—how far women have come with different things. Way back in history, a lot of women’s history was, like, erased, so I think it’s important to have this time to acknowledge that there are some portions that we have missed. Men have pretty much overtaken history throughout the entire timeline. That’s why women’s history is so important, because it’s recognizing that men have been at the forefront of things for a long time. Women’s history is about saying that there are a lot of women who did things even before men—or instead of men—but men took the credit.
Speaking Up With Women, the celebration of women in the community that the Women’s Empowerment Association of Andrews University participated in, was held at the Howard Performing Arts Center on March 7. Keep a lookout for more announcements from WEEAU about events celebrating women and women’s history!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.