This story will be updated throughout March.
Michigan State University annually celebrates Women’s History Month in March. This month-long celebration honors women’s contributions to United States history and highlights the pivotal roles women have played at MSU. Throughout the month, student organizations, offices and units will host events celebrating women with activities, conferences and more.
A key MSU program running this month into the first week of April is the Women*s Initiative for Leadership Development, or WILD. This student leadership initiative is led by a committee of engaged students in collaboration with MSU’s Women*s Student Services, or WSS, and Women*s Council. WILD aims to connect, engage and prepare individuals at MSU and beyond to be agents of social change on campus, in the community and throughout society. In honor of this year’s Women’s History Month, WSS presents the four-week leadership development workshop series, “WILD: We are the Leaders We’ve Been Waiting For.” This transformative series is inspired by the book of the same title, written by Julie Owen. For more information, visit the conference website.
In addition to the breadth of WSS-identified events to celebrate Women’s History Month, WSS offers MSU community members no-questions-asked free wellness kits, pregnancy tests, safer sex supplies and hygiene products. Visit WSS in Basement Room 14 in the Student Services Building on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Another centerpiece to this year’s month-long celebration is thanks to MSU’s Womxn of Color Initiatives, or WOCI, which will host a series of events aligned with its Artist-in-Residence program. This year’s featured guest, Paige Hernandez, is the sixth artist to participate in this program. Hernandez is a multidisciplinary artist and critically acclaimed performer, director, choreographer and playwright. Hernandez’s inclusive practice is informed by her own multicultural identity (Black, Cuban and Chinese). Through her work as an educator and performer, she advocates for communities that reflect her experiences facing systemic barriers. She will be in residence on campus from March 18 to 21.
Women’s History Month events
All events are listed in Eastern time.
All month
empowHER donation fund
The empowHER Leadership Retreat was created to provide incoming fourth- through ninth-grade girls from diverse backgrounds with the tools to find confidence, passion and purpose in their lives. Learn more and donate.
Unconditional Love Fund
The Unconditional Love Fund was created to provide flexible and timely assistance to address extraordinary and unexpected financial hardships among students engaged with The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center’s programming and mission. Learn more and donate.
Friday, March 1
March 1 to 17 — The REDress Project Exhibition
Taking place from March 1 to 17, the MSU Museum and campus partners will host the REDress Project. This evocative art installation spotlights the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. This exhibition will feature approximately 60 red dresses suspended along West Circle Drive in public spaces near the MSU Museum and Beal Botanical Garden.
Wednesday, March 6
6 p.m. — WILD: “The Time is Now!”
This beginning of the WILD leadership development workshop series explores how the current moment is critical for women and leadership. Sign up for the event taking place in the Student Services Building, Room 6.
Friday, March 8
2 p.m. — REDress Project Opening Reception
Join the opening reception at the MSU Libraries Green Room, featuring a talk with MSU School of Social Work Associate Professor Emeritus Dr. Suzanne Cross of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe on “Murdered and Missing Indigenous, Women, Girls and Two-Spirit.” The talk starts at 2 p.m., followed by the reception at 3 p.m. Register for the talk and reception.
6 p.m. — Safer Sex Carnival
Michigan State Women*s Council presents the Safer Sex Carnival at the Brody Grotto. This event will feature free, safer sex products, games, prizes, cookies and more!
Monday, March 11
2 p.m. — Start Smart: Salary Negotiations for Students
The StartSmart workshop allows MSU students to empower themselves with the skills to negotiate the starting salary they deserve!
Tuesday, March 12
5:30 p.m. — “Bring Her Home” film viewing and discussion
Join the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion for the screening of the film “Bring Her Home” at 108 Bessey Hall, followed by a discussion. This event is part of the REDress Project exhibition and includes dinner.
Wednesday, March 13
6 p.m. — WILD: “Who am I to Lead?”
The WILD leadership development workshop will cover the role of identity, intersectionality and efficacy in leadership development. Sign up for the event, which will take place in the Student Services Building, Room 13.
Tuesday, March 19
12:30 p.m. — Women of Color Initiatives Graduate Student Lunch
WOCI invites all women of color graduate students and allies to meet with featured guest Paige Hernandez over lunch at the South Kedzie Hall Chicano/Latino Studies Conference Room 200. This informal conversation provides graduate students an intimate setting to engage with the artist in residence. Register for the event.
Wednesday, March 20
6 p.m. — Storytelling Through Movement Workshop
Artist in Residence Paige Hernandez will present a workshop on how to create and share narratives with more than pen and paper at the Center for Gender in Global Context in the International Center. The first 10 people to RSVP and attend will receive a free notebook and pen from WOCI. Register for the event.
Thursday, March 21
Noon — Sisterhood Luncheon
Community members are invited to join Artist in Residence Paige Hernandez for MSU’s Women of Color Community’s Sisterhood Luncheon series. This event will allow participants to engage with the honored multidisciplinary guest and meet other women of color and allies in an informal setting. Register for the event taking place in the Green Room of the Main Library.
6 p.m. — Paige in Full: Performance, Demonstrations and Insights
The community is invited to attend an interactive keynote performance and talkback conversation with Assistant Professor Gianina Strother, Associate Professor Sitara Thobani, Assistant Professor Alexandria Davis and MSU Department of English Postdoctoral Fellow Sarah Bruno. A reception will follow the event in Hernandez’s honor. Register for the event, which will take place in the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities Theater.
Wednesday, March 27
6 p.m. — WILD: “How Did We Get Here?”
Located in the Student Services Building, Room 13, this portion of the WILD leadership development workshop series explores how gender socialization shapes women in leadership. Sign up for the event.
Thursday, March 28
10 a.m. — Start Smart: Salary Negotiations for Students
The StartSmart workshop, sponsored by Women*s Student Services, allows MSU students to empower themselves with the skills to negotiate the starting salary they deserve.
Saturday, March 30
10 a.m. — HEAL Sexual Health Conference
Happening in the RCAH Theater, the HEAL Sexual Health Conference aims to bring awareness to and encourage scientific research on sexual health along with community engagement and discussion. More specifically, it highlights the work of health care, education and advocacy leaders in our MSU community and beyond. Buy tickets for the event.
Wednesday, April 3
6 p.m. — WILD: “Navigating the Labyrinth”
This finale of the WILD leadership development workshop series will cover working within and beyond organizations and systems. Sign up for the event, which will take place at the Student Services Building, Room 6.
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, Michigan American Council on Education Women’s Network, The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, Women of Color Community, Women*s Student Services, Womxn of Color Initiatives, Workforce Action Committee for Spartan Staff and more.