This story will be updated throughout March.
Michigan State University annually celebrates Women’s History Month in March, per national tradition. This monthlong celebration honors women’s contributions to United States’ history and highlights the pivotal roles women have played here at MSU. Throughout the month, student organizations, offices and units will host events, conferences, activities and more in celebration of women and their legacies on campus and beyond!
This month welcomes the 30th annual Dia de la Mujer Conference, or DDLM, coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Enrichment and Advocacy, sponsored by Culturas de las Razas Unidas and organized by a planning committee consisting of community members from across the state. DDLM is the only conference of its kind in the state of Michigan and serves as the premier leader in enhancing the Latina/o community by celebrating and supporting Latina women to reach new levels of personal and professional success. This event has become a trusted source of education and development for the hundreds of attendees it attracts each year. The conference provides an environment for individuals to network and make connections for employment and educational opportunities. Every year, this conference is held in the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center and offers close to 30 workshops and hosts numerous exhibitors from the community to display resources, services and opportunities. Learn more about the conference in the lineup below.
Another key Women’s History Month program this year is the second annual HEAL Sexual Health Conference, hosted by Women*s Student Services. This year’s theme, “Embracing Diversity, Rewriting Narratives,” aims to encourage and raise awareness of sexual health research, advocacy and education. Through community engagement, discussion and a commitment to inspiring tangible action, the conference will highlight the work of leaders who have made advancements in these areas within our Michigan community and beyond. The theme will specifically target the intersectional realities that shape individuals’ experiences and the need to rewrite narratives that have long excluded or misrepresented marginalized voices. This conference is setting a new standard for addressing sexual health — one that is inclusive, equitable and reflective of the diverse world we live in.
In addition, MSU’s Womxn of Color Initiatives, or WOCI, will host a series of events aligned with its artist in residence program. This year’s featured guest is the city of Boston’s Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola! An experienced writer, performer, educator and curator, Olayiwola uses Afro-futurism and surrealism to examine historical and current issues in the Black, woman and queer diasporas. Refer to the event list below for the poetry workshop and keynote event. More information is forthcoming; stay tuned to WOCI’s website for more information.
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.
Monday, March 10
6 p.m. — From Startup . . . to Shelf
Join student organization, Women Impacting Supply Chain Excellence, in the Broad College Entrepreneurship Lab to hear from Alexa Ryan, an MSU supply chain alum and founder of BAKR Cookies, as she shares her journey from Proctor & Gamble to building a successful business. Participate in an interactive pitch session and get an opportunity to win a gift basket!
Friday, March 14
Noon — The Road to Rights: Domestic Workers and the New Labor Activism Since 1960
Taking Boston, Massachusetts, as a case study, Mia Michael unearths how supposedly “unorganizable” domestic workers and their allies blazed a trail toward systemic reform of household employment while influencing and exemplifying the broader revival of organized labor into the 21st century. Taking place at the MSU Library, the presentation will also be available to view live through Zoom. Visit the GenCen website for more information.
Wednesday, March 19
WBSA Annual Leadership Conference
Join the Women in Business Students’ Association for its Annual Leadership Conference. Stay tuned for more details to come on WBSA’s Instagram.
Thursday, March 20
6 p.m. — Her Sound, Her City: Detroit’s Women Shaping Electronic Music
Join the MSU Museum for an empowering conversation celebrating Detroit’s iconic female DJs and their profound influence on the electronic music scene. Featuring trailblazers Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale, DJ Holographic, DJ Minx and DJ Le Femme, this panel will dive into their journeys, creative processes and the unique impact they’ve had on Detroit’s rich musical legacy. Visit the MSU Museum website to learn more and register.
8 p.m. — Performance | Her Sound, Her City: Detroit’s Women Shaping Electronic Music
Following the enlightening panel discussion, Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale will take the stage to deliver a dynamic DJ performance that reflects her deep roots in Detroit’s House and Techno scene. Learn more and register on the MSU Museum website.
Saturday, March 22
8 a.m. — Annual Dia de la Mujer Leadership and Empowerment Conference
The DDLM Conference is a statewide leadership and empowerment conference dedicated to advancing opportunities for women. This year’s keynote speaker is Mariana Atencio. DDLM is open to all and serves as a great cross-cultural development opportunity. Learn more on the OMEA website.
10 a.m. — Annual HEAL Sexual Health Conference
Join this year’s HEAL Sexual Health Conference, themed “Embracing Diversity, Rewriting Narratives,” in the MSU Union Ballroom for conversations and deeper community involvement through innovative formats. Learn more and register on Eventbrite.
Wednesday, March 26
6 p.m. — Womxn of Color Initiatives Artist in Residence Poetry Workshop
Join the city of Boston’s Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola at the Department of African American and African Studies’ Student Cafe in North Kedzie Hall for a poetry writing workshop! RSVP link coming soon.
Thursday, March 27
6 p.m. — Womxn of Color Initiatives Artist in Residence Keynote
Join the city of Boston’s Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola at the MSU Library Green Room (4th floor) for her keynote performance! RSVP link coming soon.
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, 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.