Grand Valley celebrates Women's History Month

A visit from a female Holocaust survivor and a research study presentation about female leaders of color in West Michigan are just two of many events planned at Grand Valley State University to celebrate March as Women’s History Month.

Some events are highlighted below; see a complete list at gvsu.edu/women_cen. Most events are free and open to the public.

Invisible Walls, Ceilings and Floors: Championing the Voices and Inclusion of Female Leaders of Color: March 2, noon-1:30 p.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center Allendale Campus and March 16, 6-7:30 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Two Grand Valley alumnae — Patricia Sosa VerDuin and Shannon Cohen — will reveal research they conducted as W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network fellows about race, gender and leadership in West Michigan. 

Celebrating Women and the Environment: March 2, 2-3:30 p.m., 2266 Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. Winona LaDuke, executive director of Honor the Earth, will deliver a lecture about her work on tribal land claims, preservation and sustainable development. 

International Women's Day: March 8. Campus members are encouraged to discuss changes they want to see that impact women. 

A Light in the Dark: A Survivor's Story of the Holocaust: March 15, 7 p.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. Holocaust survivor Magda Brown will share her story of courage, remembrance and hope. It is sponsored by Hillel at Grand Valley. 

EqualiTEA: March 20, 3 p.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. Students, faculty and staff members will participate in a centuries-old tradition of combining tea parties with discussions of literature, politics and reform. RSVP at www.gvsu.edu/women_cen. 

Women's Commission's Celebrating Women Awards: March 30, 3-4:30 p.m., 2250 Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. The Women’s Commission will recognize men and women who have made a positive impact on the lives of women. It is co-sponsored by the Women's Center. RSVP at www.gvsu.edu/wcommission. 

The month-long celebration is organized by the Women's Center, which is celebrating its 15-year anniversary. The center was founded in 2001 as a space to create meaningful learning opportunities about women and gender, and to advocate for gender justice through education, engagement and empowerment. Learn more at gvsu.edu/women_cen.