Weber State Celebrates Women’s History with Month of Events

OGDEN, Utah – Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario will highlight Weber State University’s Women’s History Month celebrations in March, including a month-long poetry contest, and a discussion of “toxic positivity.”

The theme for this year’s celebration is #BreakTheBias, and is focused around issues of gender inequality, discrimination and stereotypes. 

“Every March, we celebrate Women's Herstory Month knowing there is still work to be done,” said Paige Davies, Women’s Center director. “According to the Utah Women & Leadership Project, we know that single women and their households face the highest rate of poverty in Utah, that we have some of the highest wage gaps in the country and that one in two Utah women has been sexually assaulted in their lifetime. At the same time, we also know that our communities are buoyed by the strength, resiliency, and leadership of women. We know this to be true on our campus, in our communities, and in our families.” 

Weber State’s events begin with a screening of the film “Frame by Frame.” The 2015 film follows four Afghan photojournalists who worked to build a free press after decades of war and an oppressive Taliban regime. The screening will take place March 1 at 12:30 p.m. in Elizabeth Hall Room 229. Members of the WSU community are welcome to attend the free event. 

On March 15, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist and New York Times bestselling author, Lynsey Addario will make a virtual presentation to the WSU campus. The event is free but participants must register at this link. 

Addario has captured audiences with her compelling photographs and ability to personalize the most remote corners of the world. She will share stories about documenting life in Afghanistan under the Taliban and the daily reality of women in the Middle East. In 2010, Lynsey was named one of 20 women on Oprah Winfrey’s Power List for her “Power of Bearing Witness” and one of Glamour Magazine’s 20 women of the year in 2011. 

“Without brave journalists like Lynsey Addario, stories of suffering and perseverance in war- torn nations would go untold beyond the borders of those countries,” said Jean Reid Norman, WSU associate professor of emerging media and journalism. “She provides a window into global cultures when they are most vulnerable, and she continues to tell the stories over time, providing a historical record that is irreplaceable.”

On March 30, the Women’s Center will host the monthly Sister Circle event to tackle the issues common to women: toxic positivity and grind culture. Toxic positivity, where women feel they must be happy, combined with the daily grind of work, childcare and relationships often take a toll on a person’s mental and physical health. This discussion will be held in Shepherd Union Room 321 from 2-4 p.m. Sister Circle is a monthly series of discussions that highlight different issues surrounding identity, empowerment and systemic oppression. 

“We're excited to celebrate Women's ‘Herstory’ Month with our campus partners,” Davies said. The Women & Gender Studies Department, the Division of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, the Stewart Library, Student Involvement & Leadership, and the International Student & Scholar Center and others across campus are all contributing to the activities.

On April 1 at 6 p.m., the Women’s Center will host Take Back the Night, a march and rally to unite community members in the fight against sexual violence, domestic and dating violence, harassment and stalking. The march will begin at The Monarch (455 25th St., Ogden), after hearing from keynote speaker jo blake, WSU assistant professor of performing arts. Following the march, a speak-out will allow survivors and the community to share their experiences and messages of support. Take Back the Night events have been held on campuses and in communities around the globe for more than 30 years.

For Davies the importance of women’s history was summed up well by poet Rupi Kaur in her recent poem ‘Legacy.’  “I stand on the sacrifices of a million women before me — thinking — what can I do to make this mountain taller, so the women after me can see farther.”

For a complete calendar of Women’s History Month events, visit this link.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Kennedy Jones, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • kennedyjones1@weber.edu 

Contact:

Paige Davies, Women's Center, director
801-626-6372 • paigedavies1@weber.edu