Women’s History Month not afraid to discuss sensitive topics

     A sexually overt comment in the workplace, abortion and the comparison of salaries are not usually topics of conversation; however, in the celebration of Women’s History Month they were just that.
     GCSU along with the Women’s Resource Center continues to aid in active student engagement on current issues and topics by hosting many interactive discussion groups and events last month regarding the history of women.
     In the discussion, “’I Thought It Was Just Me:’ Women Facing  Challenges in Non-Traditional Vocations,” professional women of different generations in science, history, mathematics and instrumental music gathered in the Women’s Resource Center  March 13, to tell their stories of resistance and success.
Drs. Julia Metzker, Rosemary Begeman, Amy Kelley, Louise Nelson and Maureen Horgan joined in the sack lunch discussion.
     The 1970s proved to be a turning point for women with the help of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which outlawed segregation and protected women in courts. Instead of only entering into nursing and teaching positions, women began to  seek higher education, like Begeman, a history major, who received her doctorate in 1973.
     “He said to me, ‘It’s a shame that you’re a woman. You will never get a good-paying job no matter how smart you are’. It’s shocking to think of it now, but that’s what it was like in my generation,” Begeman said.
     The women’s movement of the 1960s caused women to question their positions in traditional America:  simultaneously raising the aspirations of as well as the opportunities for women. Horgan is proud to be one of the many faces of women during this pivotal time.
     “Being invisible in your work field was a major trend for women who worked in a field dominated by men. I knew the men, we were friends and went out to lunch with each other, but at work I was invisible. If you weren’t married, you faced many challenges,” Horgan said.
     The public celebration of women’s history in this country began in 1978 as “Women’s History Week” in Sonoma County, Calif. The week selected included  International Women’s Day, March 8. It was not until 20 years ago that Congress expanded the celebration to include the entire month of March.
     The approximate number of induced abortions performed worldwide in 2003 was 42 million. Whether or not you think this is a woman’s reproductive right, it is a religious, social and political topic.
     An emotionally intense documentary, “I Had an Abortion” features interviews with ten women who describe their experiences spanning seven decades from the years before the pivotal Roe vs. Wade to the present day. The documentary, shown at the Thursday at the Movies series, was presented by the Women’s Resource Center.
     Roe v. Wade is one of the most controversial and politically significant cases in U.S. Supreme Court history.
     The History of Reproductive Rights was apart of the Women on Wednesdays also held at the Women’s Resource Center. The history of women’s reproductive rights are certain, but its future is not.
     “If a woman doesn’t want to have children, she shouldn’t have to,” Amanda Severin, a junior general business major, said.
Overall, Dr. Susan Cummings, coordinator of Women’s Studies belived the month to be a real success.
     “The events planned and carried out for Women’s History Month were well attended and generated many good conversations,” Dr. Susan Cummings, coordinator of Women’s Studies said. “Jennifer Graham-Stephens did a wonderful job and most of the credit should go to her.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 4 2008. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry