Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives
Women’s History Month 2015
This year’s theme presents the opportunity to weave women’s stories – individually
and collectively – into the essential fabric of our nation’s history.
Accounts of the lives of individual women are critically important because they reveal exceptionally strong role models who share a more expansive vision of what a woman can do. The stories of women’s lives and the choices they made encourage girls and young women to think larger and bolder, and give boys and men a fuller understanding of the female experience. Knowing women’s achievements challenges stereotypes and upends social assumptions about who women are and what women can accomplish today.
There is a real power in hearing women’s stories, both personally and in a larger context. Remembering and recounting tales of our ancestors’ talents, sacrifices, and commitments inspires today’s generations and opens the way to the future.
Read Student Responses to the WHM Writing Prompt >
We were a part of two awesome videos made in 2015; check them out! #HeForShe and the Closing Ceremony Recognition Video, where male feminists showed their support for WHM and feminism and the women who helped weave our stories were honored at the Closing Ceremony.
Amira B. Rudolph's Artist Statement
As a woman it is important to never forget our strengths and never forget the ways
that have been paved for us by the courageous women of the past. I wanted to demonstrate
that strength in my poster art. When women see it I want them to think to themselves,
"I'm strong. I will support the rights of women, even if it's silently in my heart."
Calendar of Events
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March 2 Women's Basketball vs. SMU 7 PM in the Elma Neal Roane Field House Come out and cheer on the Lady Tigers as they take on Southern Methodist University! Get your tickets at the Ticket Office. |
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March 3 Exhibition Opening: “Woven Into Words: Tennessee Women Making History” 5:30-7:00 PM in the Ned R. McWherter Library, 4th Floor Opening reception for “Woven Into Words: Tennessee Women Making History,” an exhibition of documents and images from the University Libraries' special collections and government publications. Presentation by Dr. Christine Eisel, Department of History, on “Lessons Learned in the Archives.” |
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March 4 Women's History Month Opening 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the UC Atrium For the opening, the UC will be filled with music and images about womanpower, a Feminism Fair, and an interactive table that asks students to answer the question “Women’s Stories Matter Because…” To the tune of empowering music and powerful images, the Feminism Fair and interactive student table will ask students to think about their stories and the stories of women in their lives. The Feminism Fair will feature information tables from Nursing, the Health Center, Planned Parenthood Generation Action, the Center for Research on Women, Tigers for NO MORE, and Free and Healthy TN. The interactive table will be set up so students can write how women’s stories have been important to their lives on a strip of fabric. During the event, students can hang their strips in the UC and take photos for WHM social media. After the event, the strips will be woven together into banners to demonstrate our theme, “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives.” The banners will be displayed around campus for the rest of Women’s History Month. A table will also be selling “Memphis Feminist” T-shirts for $20, so come on out to buy a shirt and support Women’s History Month at the University of Memphis! To see images from the event, check out the WHM Facebook page or the hashtag #UofMWHM2015. Sponsored by the Department of History, the Center for Research on Women, and Phi Alpha Theta. |
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Rescheduled for April 13 & 14 March 5 & 6 BodyHeart March 5: 7:00-8:30 PM in the Rose Theater March 6: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the UC River Room Amber Krzys is on a mission to help young men and women turn things around when it comes to body image, fat talk, and self-degradation. Join for her keynote talk on Thursday evening, March 5th, to change how you see and relate to your body, embracing what’s special instead of what you see as inadequate. Then on Friday, March 6th, put your commitment to loving your body to the test by joining us for the BodyHeart photoshoot! Sponsored by Student Event Allocation, CAMPUSPEAK. |
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Rescheduled for March 27 March 6 Fanny Hensel Mendelssohn (1805-1847): Piano Pieces, Letters, Diary Excerpts. Presented by Judith Pfeiffer, Pianist. 2:00-3:00 in the Psychology Auditorium Romantic composer Fanny Hensel, sister of famous composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, struggled to balance the expectations of her family and society and her desire to be publicly active as a composer in the nineteenth century. Come hear some of her music played and read some of her writings about her struggle! |
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March 17 Knitting Night with Honors Student Council 6:30 PM in Honors Hall, 425 Patterson Street Guest lecturer Sherye Fairbanks will give a historical overview of women’s sewing circles, quilting, and clubs. Students are encouraged to bring supplies for knitting, crocheting, and arm weaving! |
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March 18 The Journey of Truth 11:30 AM in the McWherter Library Rotunda U of M graduate student, writer, and actress Jazmin Miller will present her original one-woman show, “The Journey of Truth,” about the life of abolitionist and activist Sojourner Truth. Presented in partnership with the Department of Theatre and Dance and the African and African American Studies program. |
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March 18 CROW Book Salon 3:00-4:00 PM in Scates 212 Dr. Sarah Potter of the History Department will be facilitating a discussion of Danielle McGuire’s At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance. The Prologue, Chapter 1: “They'd Kill Me If I Told,” and the Epilogue are the selections Dr. Potter has chosen to discuss. |
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March 18 & 19 Choosing Transportation: Attracting Women to the Profession March 18: 2:00-3:30 PM in the UC River Room (panel session) March 18: 5:15-8:00 PM in the U of M Holiday Inn Ballroom (Blue Pump Gala) March 19: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the U of M FedEx Institute of Technology (summit) Join us for the upcoming summit: Choosing Transportation: Attracting Women to the Profession. This two-day event, hosted by the Southeast Transportation Workforce Center (SETWC) at the University of Memphis on March 18-19, 2015, focuses on creating action items and deliverables with the goal of attracting, retaining, and advancing a diverse transportation workforce. The University of Memphis is well positioned to host this event as Memphis has the largest percentage of employees working in the transportation sector, more than any other major metropolitan area in the United States. The summit includes the 2nd Annual Blue Pump Gala on March 18th followed by an all day conference on March 19th. Additionally on the 18th, there will be a panel session regarding diversity in transportation careers. See this PDF for more information, including how to RSVP. The Blue Pump Gala event is organized by the Society of Female Transportation Professionals to raise scholarship funds for female students pursuing transportation majors. The conference is open to a national audience and will address all available pathways to transportation careers, including high school programs; technical, community college, and university education; military and veteran transition; and career retraining and reentry opportunities, as well as progression throughout a job/career path. It will include dynamic panel discussions, strategic breakout sessions relevant to major workforce initiatives, and keynote addresses from prominent figures in the transportation industry. To learn more about the events, visit the SETWC website. RSVPs are required for all events. Visit the online registration site or see the PDF for the panel! |
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March 19 Spa Day 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Relaxation Zone in 211 Wilder Tower Spa Day gives students, faculty, and staff the chance to visit the Relaxation Zone to learn what the Zone offers, to enjoy the massage chairs or guided mediation, and to learn about how biofeedback and other programs can help you learn how to manage stress and anxiety better. |
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March 20 What I Kept Reception 5:00-7:30 PM in the Art Museum in the Communication and Fine Arts Building This reception officially opens the What I Kept exhibit in the Art Museum. The exhibit contains objects and photographs of objects that international women brought to Memphis with them from their country of origin. Each object is displayed with its owner’s story. The exhibit will be displayed until July 2, so if you can’t make it to the reception, try to come some other time! Sponsored by University of Memphis Student Activity Fee Fund. |
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March 20 Finding Her Seat at the Table: Deidre Malone Talks Women in Politics 7:00-9:00 PM in UC Ballroom B Former Shelby County Commissioner, current President and CEO of the Carter Malone Group, and CEO of Malone Sullivan Public Strategies, Deidre Malone joins us to discuss the role women play in politics, how she found her seat at the table and why it's important for more women to become engaged politically. She will also discuss what it was like becoming the first woman from either major party to receive the primary nomination to run for mayor in both Memphis and Shelby County. Food will be served. Sponsored by L’Ecole Culinaire Memphis. |
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March 21 PAUSE Conference 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the University Center, 3rd Floor The Professional Assertive United Sisters of Excellence presents its 7th Annual Women’s Conference on Saturday, March 21, 2015. The purpose of this event is to empower women to step outside of stereotypical boundaries and set their own tone. The 7th Annual Women’s Conference will benefit the University of Memphis community because it allows the students to network and get involved, while learning necessary skills needed to succeed. As stated in our mission, Professional Assertive United Sisters of Excellence’s 7th Annual Women’s Conference is open to everyone regardless of race, creed, and economic background. Our conference will feature a session specifically for the gentlemen who are in attendance to ensure inclusivity. The Morning Speaker is Summer Owens, President/CEO of SO What! Inc. and the Luncheon Speaker is Dr. Charner Rodgers of Rodgers and Rodgers Contractors, Inc. and professor at Kennesaw State University. Be sure to RSVP if you're going! Sponsored by Student Event Allocation. |
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March 24 Women’s History Month Lunch with a Leader 1:00-2:00 PM in the UC River Room In celebration of Women's History Month, the University of Memphis will host our third Women’s History Month "Lunch with a Leader,” featuring a keynote address by Marie Pizano, author of From Barefoot to Stilettos. Check out her biography! Female students will lunch with a small circle of professional women, providing an opportunity for honest conversation, sparked by our speaker’s remarks, about navigating career and personal successes and obstacles. Please RSVP to leadershipprograms@memphis.edu. |
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March 24 The Girls in the Band Reception and Screening 5:00 PM Reception; 6:00 PM Screening in 314 Arts and Communication Building This documentary tells the poignant, untold stories of female jazz and big band instrumentalists and their fascinating, groundbreaking journeys from the late 30s to the present day. These incredibly talented women endured sexism, racism and diminished opportunities for decades, yet continued to persevere, inspire and elevate their talents in a field that seldom welcomed them. Today, there is a new breed of gifted young women taking their rightful place in the world of jazz, which can no longer deny their talents. Check out the trailer! |
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March 24 Women Fight Back: Women’s Self Defense Class 7:00-8:00 PM in the Racquetball Courts in the Recreation Center Come join RHC in the recreation center for a night full of fun while learning some cool defense moves. We strive to keep our campus safe so take advantage of this free opportunity by coming out with us! |
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March 25 Women’s Legends Tour 3:30-4:30/5:00 PM at the Baptist Women’s Hospital The Loewenberg School of Nursing, Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, and Baptist Women’s Hospital will host a “Women’s Legend Tour” at Baptist Women’s Hospital on Wednesday, March 25th, at 3:30 PM. The tour will showcase previous Legend Award recipients and will last approximately 30 minutes. Shante Avant will be our tour guide. Refreshments will be served following the tour, with remarks from Administrator and Chief Executive Officer, Anita Vaughn. Please join us to learn more about the philanthropy, leadership, and values women in Memphis have dedicated to women and their families through the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis. Please RSVP for this event to Lisa Beasley at the Loewenberg School of Nursing, ldbeasly@memphis.edu or 901.678.5798. The Baptist Women’s Hospital is located at 6225 Humphreys Blvd., Memphis, 38120. To learn more about the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, please visit http://www.wfgm.org/. Sponsored by the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis and the Baptist Women’s Hospital. |
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March 25 Local Day: Kat Gordon 7:00-8:00 in the UC Theater Kat Gordon is the founder of Muddy’s Bakeshop and has established herself as a woman entrepreneur in Memphis. She has been nationally recognized for her work. |
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March 26 Afternoon Tea with the First Lady 2:00-4:00 PM in the UC Fountain View Room Afternoon tea historically was a light meal mid-afternoon to stave off hunger between the morning and late evening meal. It has always been a time for women to gather to discuss social and political issues. Join our new First Lady, Dr. Loretta Rudd, for tea and conversation. Sponsored by Women’s Leadership and Philanthropy Initiative. |
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March 26 Belle McWilliams Lecture in American History: To Gain Title to Our Bodies: Black Women and the Long Civil Rights Movement Reception begins at 5:30 PM; Lecture begins at 6:00 PM in the UC Theater Speaker Danielle McGuire uses the lens of sexual violence to tell a new history of the civil rights movement—with black women at the center. She is Assistant Professor of History at Wayne State University and the author of the popular and prize-winning book, At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape and Resistance: a New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to Black Power. Sponsored by the Department of History, the Center for Research on Women, the Program in African and African-American Studies, and the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change. |
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March 26 Telling Women’s Stories: A Reading by Courtney Miller Santo and Brandy Wilson 7:00-9:00 PM in 456 Patterson Hall Please join the Department of English for an evening of Telling Women’s Stories. Courtney Miller Santo will be reading from her second novel, Three Story House, featuring three cousins renovating a spite house in Memphis. Brandy Wilson will be reading from her first novel, The Palace Blues, about transgressing women in 1920s era America. We will also be featuring the winning student story from the first Women’s History Month Writing Contest. Refreshments will be served. |
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Rescheduled from March 6 March 27 Fanny Hensel Mendelssohn (1805-1847): Piano Pieces, Letters, Diary Excerpts. Presented by Judith Pfeiffer, Pianist. 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM in the Psychology Auditorium Romantic composer Fanny Hensel, sister of famous composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, struggled to balance the expectations of her family and society and her desire to be publicly active as a composer in the nineteenth century. Come hear some of her music played and read some of her writings about her struggle! |
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March 31 Women’s History Month Closing 2:00-4:00 in the UC Ballroom This event will honor the women who have helped weave our stories, recognized by members of the University of Memphis family. President David Rudd will provide the opening remarks, followed by the featured speaker, Dr. Beverly Bond, editor of Tennessee Women: Their Lives and Times, Vol. 1 & 2. Dr. Bond’s work will be interpreted by students from the Department of Theatre and Dance. Our student poster competition winner, Amira Randolph, will be awarded with a framed copy of her art. The formal program will be followed by a reception. Sponsored by the University of Memphis Diversity Funds, the College of Arts & Sciences, the Fogelman College of Business & Economics, and the Lowenburg School of Nursing. |
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Rescheduled from March 5 & 6 April 13 & 14 BodyHeart April 13: 7:00-8:30 PM in the Rose Theater April 14: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the UC River Room Amber Krzys is on a mission to help young men and women turn things around when it comes to body image, fat talk, and self-degradation. Join for her keynote talk on Monday evening, April 13th, to change how you see and relate to your body, embracing what’s special instead of what you see as inadequate. Then on Tuesday, April 14th, put your commitment to loving your body to the test by joining us for the BodyHeart photoshoot! Sponsored by Student Event Allocation, CAMPUSPEAK. |
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Lambuth Campus Events
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February 26 What I Kept Reception 5:00-7:00 PM at the Lambuth Campus, Varnell-Jones Wisdom Parlor This reception officially opens the What I Kept exhibit on the Lambuth Campus. The exhibit contains objects and photographs of objects that international women brought to Jackson with them from their country of origin. Each object is displayed with its owner’s story. The exhibit will be displayed until May 8, so if you can’t make it to the reception, try to come some other time! Sponsored by University of Memphis Student Activity Fee Fund. |
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March 3 Developing Poise, Polish, and Professional Presence 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM in the Hamilton Room of the Wilder College Union Latosha Dexter, Member of Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, PLC, will present at a Lunch and Learn about how she began her career and the importance of developing proper business etiquette when transitioning into the workforce. All students are welcome, but the emphasis is on women in the workplace. RSVP to Michelle Reddick at mbrddick@memphis.edu or 731.425.7398. Sponsored by University of Memphis Career Services. |
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March 17 A Celebration of Women’s Literature 6:00 PM in the Gobbel Library on the Lambuth Campus Come to an open-mic reading of influential literary works written by women; writers from any time or place are welcome! |
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March 26 Mona Lisa Smile 7:30 PM in the Hamilton Performing Arts Center, Lambuth Campus Come see this interesting movie about a free-thinking art professor who teaches conservative 1950s female college students to question their traditional social roles! |
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**Unless otherwise stated, all events are free and open to the public.