Lee to celebrate International Women’s Day this week
Graphic from Lee University International Women's Week Facebook Page
Lee University’s Cultural Diversity Committee will host a series of events during the week of March 13-17 to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD).
IWD is recognized worldwide to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. This year, IWD fell on Wednesday, March 8. The holiday has been observed since the early 1900s, according to the IWD website.
Lee began honoring the day in 2008, and this week marks 10 years of the campus-wide celebration activities.
“I absolutely love Lee’s International Women’s Week celebrations,” said Ana Shippey, IWD subcommittee chair and assistant professor of political science. “When we get together to expose evil and injustice, to celebrate life through research and conversations, and when we don’t shy away from discussing difficult topics in light of the Word of God, we are utilizing our intellectual gifts to love God with all our mind. That is part of what God calls us to.”
Junior Public Relations student Kiersten Powers said she will be helping run this year's events as the group leader of an event management class.
"It is so important that this week is recognized by Lee because women have gone through so much throughout history to make the difference they have thus far, and there's still so much work to go," Powers said. "By educating others on these things, we can empower students to stand for what's right until justice is achieved worldwide."
On Tuesday, March 14, a special liturgical service will take place in the Lee Chapel at 10:40 a.m., led by La-Juan Bradford, director of Lee’s academic support. Linda Thompson, professor of music education at Lee, will also speak at the service.
On Wednesday, March 15, the third annual interdisciplinary poster presentation session will take place in the Great Room of the Science and Math Complex from 1-4 p.m.
Students from diverse majors including political science, business, anthropology and mathematics will present on a variety of topics pertaining to women’s issues and equality. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three student presenters.
“Last year I was very impressed with the quality of posters and my desire was that more students would join the conversation this year,” Shippey said. “We are expecting about 60 presentations this time and will display the 15 best posters in the Squires Library through March 23.”
An awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 23 at 6 p.m. announcing the top three poster presentations.
Rev. Sandra K. Williams, a women’s ministries pastor at North Cleveland Church of God, will speak in the Conn Center chapel at 10:40 a.m. on Thursday, March 16.
At 7 p.m. that evening, a panel discussion titled “Black Girl Magic: Stories of Struggle and Empowerment,” led by Associate Professor of Humanities Mary McCampbell, will take place in the School of Religion Lecture Hall.
Student speakers Myka Smith, Nandi Swinton-Newton and Vanalissa Cadet will share their stories, including both "the ongoing fight against oppression and the active desire to see racial justice," according to McCampbell.
All events are free, non-ticketed and open to the public, according to a press release.
For more information about Lee’s International Women’s Day events, contact Shippey at aalves@leeuniversity.edu or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LeeU.IWW.
