This story will be updated throughout the month of March.

Each March, Michigan State University recognizes Women’s History Month, dedicated to honoring the impact women have made in United States history and highlighting the roles of women at MSU. Throughout the month, organizations and offices across the university will host events and programming celebrating women of MSU. MSU’s Women*s Student Services, or WSS, is collaborating on and coordinating many recognitions during Women’s History Month. Learn more about upcoming events with the WSS Women’s History Month 2023 events.

In addition, MSU's Womxn of Color Initiative, or WOCI, will be hosting a series of events featuring artist-in-residence Colah B. Tawkin, the creator, producer and voice behind the renowned Black in the Garden podcast. By amplifying Black voices and bringing the marginalized into the center, her aim is to grow and foster village-building, education and healing through gardening. WOCI is providing a week of opportunities for MSU community members and the greater Lansing area to engage with Tawkin in a variety of settings.

Women’s History Month campus events

All events are listed in Eastern Standard Time.

Wednesday, March 1

“RESPECT” movie night 

9:00 p.m.  • Snyder Hall, Room C20

WSS, the Residence Halls Association and African American and African Studies Department will screen “Respect” to celebrate Black History Month and the beginning of Women’s History Month. The film follows the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career and how she found her voice and passion.

Thursday, March 2

Women’s History Month featured speaker: Haideh Moghissi

7:00 p.m. • Zoom

The WSS and Women*s Council welcomes MSU’s Women’s History Month featured speaker, Haideh Moghissi. Moghissi was the founder of the Iranian National Union of Women and a member of its first executive and editorial boards. Moghissi left Iran in 1984 and is currently a professor at York University whose research interests span Middle East politics and culture, Islam and gender, human rights, diversity, ethnicity and immigration, race relations and politics.Via Zoom, Moghissi will speak about the crisis facing Iran, the women’s uprising in the country and its historical context and ways to support protesters abroad. A recording of the event will be shared on the WSS website following the event. 

Tuesday, March 14 

Processing trauma: an adventure therapy workshop for graduate women of color

3:00 p.m. • International Center, Room 303

WOCI will be hosting their second session of their Women of Color in Academia Series, Processing Trauma. To register, fill out the form. Light refreshments will be provided.

LUNAFEST

7:00 p.m. • Snyder Hall, Room C20

LUNAFEST is a film festival celebrating and showcasing women and gender nonconforming filmmakers hosted by the WSS and the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities. This year’s stories are told from a variety of perspectives and highlight the aspirations, accomplishments, resilience, strength and connection of the participating filmmakers. The film festival is free, and all members of the university community are invited to join. 

Wednesday, March 15

"Confident Women Series:" emotional intelligence as a foundation to DEI work

1:00 p.m. • Zoom

Shelley Davis Boyd, president of the Integrare Collaborative will be presenting via Zoom to explore key skills that can help all women increase their confidence, including emotional intelligence and self awareness. Register for the event via the Zoom registration link.

Self-care event: skincare mixer

5:30 p.m. • Student Services Building, Room 110

The WSS will host a skincare mixer focused on creating a space for community while discussing strategies for making skincare more accessible. Enjoy free face masks, skincare tips and more.

Thursday, March 16

Fostering professional development of early career feminist scholars

Noon • Zoom

WOCI and GenCen's FLOURISH Workshop early career scholars: Jessica Kampanje Phiri, Jessica Martinez Cruz and Jada Gannaway will be presenting via Zoom for a public paper workshop.

Amplify STEM: "Pathways and Perspectives" with Angela Wilson

Noon • Zoom

Amplify STEM features Angela Wilson, the John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives in the College of Natural Science, presents a talk titled "Pathways and Perspectives." Wilson was named as one of the top 5 most influential women chemists and top 40 most influential women in STEM in the world during 2010-2020. Amplify STEM is sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lyman Briggs College, College of Natural Science and College of Veterinary Medicine.

“The Farewell” movie night 

7:00 p.m. • Snyder Hall, Room C20

WSS and the Residence Halls Association will screen “The Farewell,” a 2019 film written and directed by Lulu Wang. The film tells the story of a Chinese American woman as she navigates complicated family dynamics and cultural identity. “The Farewell” explores topics of grief, cultural norms and immigration. 

Tuesday, March 21

Crafternoon: DIY keychains

1:30 p.m. • Student Services Building, Room 110

WSS will host a fun afternoon making DIY keychains. Materials, snacks and refreshments will all be available. 

Wednesday, March 22

WACSS spring forum

1:00 p.m • Online

The Women’s Advisory Committee for Support Staff is presenting a forum that will focus on building bridges of Spartan connections with breakout room panel discussions addressing connections between your work and Administration, DEI, Unions and the WorkLife Office. 

To register for this event, visit the 2023 WACSS Spring Forum Registration.

Thursday, March 23

Black feminism panel

Time TBD

MSU’s Black Student Alliance and Women*s Council will host a conversation with Black women and feminists about their MSU experience, Black feminism and what it means to take up space at MSU.

Monday, March 27

Self-love letter writing

5:30 p.m. • Student Services Building, Room 110

Join the Women*s Council for an evening of self-love and giving thanks. All are welcome to come write letters to important and influential people in their lives or to themselves.

Wednesday, March 29

WOCI presents - graduate student lunch

Noon • College of Communications Arts and Sciences, Room 182

Students are invited to meet with artist-in-residence Colah B. Tawkin for a lunch and an opportunity to engage the artist-in-residence in an intimate setting.

Thursday, March 30

WOCI presents - plants, race and class: a conversation with Colah B. Tawkin

7:00 p.m. • WKAR Studio A, College of Communication Arts and Sciences

WOCI will be hosting a keynote conversation between the director of the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston and expert in Black girlhood and land, Dr. Tamara Butler and artist-in-residence Colah B. Tawkin. This event is hosted virtually and in person. Register for the event by filling out the registration form.

Michigan State is dedicated to recognizing the contributions and leadership of women in education. Students, staff and faculty can find support through various channels at MSU, including the Center for Gender in Global Context, Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, Michigan American Council on Education Women’s Network, Women of Color Community, Women’s Advisory Committee for Support Staff, Women*s Student Services and more.