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Women’s History Month is dedicated to recognizing the role of women in US history. In February 1980 President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation recognizing the week of March 8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week. The movement continued to grow and by March 1, 1987 Congress issued a declaration of March as Women’s History Month in perpetuity. It is fitting that Women’s History Month follows Black History Month, as women’s suffrage began as an anti-slavery movement.

In big ways, and small, from across campus to around the world, the women of Upper Iowa University have made a difference. Known as the founding mother of Upper Iowa University, it was Elizabeth Alexander’s dream for her daughters and the other children of Fayette, Iowa to receive a good education without having to travel far from home.  Her proposal resulted in the founding of Upper Iowa University in 1857.

Upper Iowa will be holding events in honor of National Women’s History Month throughout March. Below are a list of events taking place virtually and in-person as well as several resources. This month, we also encourage employees to post the bio of a woman they would like to honor on their office door or wall. Please visit the employee newsletter for the template. This is a wonderful way to commemorate the women who have played a vital role in our past, present, or personal life. All are welcome to come and celebrate the achievements and progress of women!

Please continue to visit this page as an inspirational quote will be posted each day of the month.

Thank you to the Women’s History Month Planning Committee! Interested in serving on next year’s planning committee? Please contact the Assistant Vice President for Student Life, Danielle Rosario Cushion, at [email protected].

Women’s History Month Quote of the Day

Scheduled Events (all times CST)

All Month - Diaper & Laundry Detergent Drive

Donate diapers and/or laundry detergent for Helping Services for Youth & Families’ pantry. Helping Services serves counties in Iowa; programs include domestic abuse advocacy, substance use and problem gambling prevention, youth mentoring, and family education. Their mission is to support healthier and safer families & communities. Right now their pantry is in urgent need of diapers (particularly size 4 and 5) and laundry detergent.

Drop off donations throughout the month during regular business hours either at the HUB located on the 1st floor of the Student Center or at the Student Life front desk located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center.

Learn more about Helping Services for Youth & Families: https://www.helpingservices.org/

Every Wednesday - Rainbow Land Preschool & Daycare Reading Series

Every Wednesday throughout the month (with the exception of spring break), members and friends of EYE will go to Rainbow Land Preschool & Daycare to read to the children.

Founded in 1969, E.Y.E is the longest-standing sorority on the Fayette campus. Their purpose is to promote social activity and eradication of discrimination due to race, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability. A social service group, EYE holds annual fundraisers for, and promotes active participation in groups, donating to funds towards PTSD awareness and Sexual Assault Awareness.

All Month - Inspiring Women

Visit the Student Center to read the bios of inspiring women from around the globe.

Walk around campus to read the bios employees have posted in their office space. Visit the employee newsletter for the template. We encourage employees to post the bio of a woman they would like to honor on their office door or wall.

Tuesday, March 14th at 7:00pm - Spring Drag Show

Back by huge demand, hosted by UIU’s Renae Sance, Student Life is proud to announce the spring 2023 Drag Show on Tuesday, March 14th at 7pm in the Student Center Ballrooms. This fabulous fun-filled night is free for all students and $3 for UIU employees and community members.

Proceeds will be donated to NuDay to split between their work with women and children in Ukraine and women and children in Syria and Turkey. NuDay is a non-profit working to secure empowered aid for women and children affected by humanitarian crises.

There will be a cash bar for those 21 and over (must show ID). We will also have a donation box at the entrance. Join the after-party at Pete’s Bar and Grill. Proceeds and donations will go towards organizations helping women and children in the Ukraine, Syria and Turkey. Plese return for more information on the organization and how to donate online.

Brief background on Drag Shows:

A drag show is merely a performer of one gender dressing as the opposite gender in an exaggerated way. Drag has been used throughout history in various forms. All actors in Shakespearean times were male so female roles were also portrayed by males. The term drag actually comes from this time period, where side notes were written in the script as “Dressed As Girl” or D.R.A.G. Drag should not be confused with cross-dressing, which is not a form of entertainment. To learn more about the history of drag: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbkmkmn

Performances are usually lip-synced and audience members are encouraged to tip the performers as a form of appreciation and to help raise funds for local charities. Let us be very clear that a drag show is NOT a strip show. A good drag show should make you laugh and provide an evening of entertainment.

Wednesday, March 22nd at 12:10pm (zoom) - Lunch & Learn: Women Business Owners Making it Happen and Making a Difference

UIU is proud to recognize the value that women entrepreneurs present to our great community and growing economy. Women business owners have challenged the labor force, driving innovation and technology, and placing their small businesses on a global competitive playing field. Our panelists will talk about the roots of their success, the importance of diversity in the business world, lessons learned and offer advice to future businesswomen.

Join Via Zoom! The recoding will be accessible on myUIU. Go to University Wide -> Open Forums & events -> Lunch & Learn Sessions

Topic: Women Business Owners Making it Happen and Making a Difference
Time: Mar 22, 2023 12:10 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://uiu.zoom.us/j/85805478770

Meeting ID: 858 0547 8770
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Find your local number: https://uiu.zoom.us/u/kcbPWnFKlF

 

Wednesday, March 22nd at 6:00pm (virtual) - Alumni Speaker Series: Bridget Saffold '20 on The Value of Community Engagement

The Value of Community Engagement

Bridget earned her BSN from Upper Iowa in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She currently serves as a trustee at Hawkeye Community College and is a member of the State of Iowa’s Volunteer Hall of Fame, the most prestigious state-level honor volunteers can receive. In addition to working as a nurse, Bridget helps to fill essential gaps in patient care through Focus on Diabetes promoting health education and disease prevention. Recognizing that diabetes is a public health crisis, she also realized the critical shortage in health care workers to provide care for those affected by the disease. Through community service and career guided pathways, Focus on Diabetes is playing a major role in training the next generation of health care workers. Bridget will discuss how Focus on Diabetes became a reality and how her role in community involvement and patient education has led to other projects aimed to improve health outcomes.

Join live on March 22nd at 6pm CST on UIU’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/upperiowauniversity or view recording at a later date: www.uiu.edu/alumnispeakerseries.

Friday, March 24th at 5:30pm: BTQ Etiquette & Networking Dinner

Beta Theta Omega (BTQ) is a student organization striving to promote academic excellences, pride, self-respect, personal integrity, and unity among women.

The sisters of Beta Theta Omega (BTQ) are hosting their annual etiquette & networking dinner in collaboration with Career Development. This year, they will be joined by local women business owners who will share their story and advice during the pre-dinner social hour beginning at 5:30 with dinner to follow at 6:30pm.

The week of March 20th BTQ is hosting their annual women’s empowerment week that includes:

  • Collaborating with Phi Beta Delta (PBD) to play music by women artists every Tuesday in the servery over the lunch hour. The sisters of Phi Beta Delta are leaders who serve to encourage justice, preservation, & unification of women of all ethnicities and backgrounds.
  • Partnering with Counseling Services and Resident Assistants to create and distribute self-care kits to students on the Fayette campus;
  • Yoga, led by UIU’s MBA student and GA, Kristina Karp;
  • The annual BTQ Etiquette & Networking Dinner

 

uiu-library

UIU Library Resources
on Women's History

The empowerment of women is booming, voices are strengthened, and our children’s future is bright. While these are achievements to celebrate there is work yet to be done. Inequalities against women are still relevant in society. Roughly 25% of women experience severe intimate partner physical violence, as opposed to 14% of men and 23% of transgender students. The Justice Department estimates 26.4% of college females will experience rape, but less than five percent of these incidents will be reported. Women’s History Month is a time to embolden women with the achievements that continue to occur, and raise awareness of the violence that still is happening. Below is a list of state resources for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, as well as a list of national and local Iowa resources for survivors. One may also donate or volunteer with any of these organizations.