Women's History Month -- 2019!

The Women's Studies Program at Daemen is proud to announce this year's Women's History Month roster of events, including lectures, films, a poetry reading, and a meet-and-greet poster-making session.

(Scroll down to the Women's History Month poster for full details about each event.)

 

"Liberty" (Frances F. Noyes) presides over this March 31, 1913, suffrage parade in Washington, D.C., as women sought the right to vote. (National Archives)

Lectures: The History and Political Science Department is sponsoring two lectures as part of its History & Politics Event Series:

• On March 25 (7pm, RIC120), Dr. Alexis Henshaw will speak on "Insurgent Women: Female Combatants in Civil Wars." Dr. Henshaw is a political scientist specializing in international women's issues. She is a professor as well as United Nation consultant. Henshaw's lecture will draw upon her recent book, Insurgent Women, to explore women's involvement in war and peace efforts in several regions: Ukraine, Kurdish groups in the Middle East, and the civil war in Columbia. (For more information, see the event flier or our Facebook event page)

• On March 20 (7pm, Wick Social Room), Dr. Karolina Krasuska will present a lecture on "Women and the Holocaust." Dr. Krasuska, an Assistant Professor at the University of Warsaw, Poland, is an expert on transnational modernism, gender, queer identity, and Jewishness. In fall 2017, Krasuska taught a class on 20th century European history at Daemen during her visit as part of the faculty exchange program between Daemen and the University of Warsaw's American Studies Center.  Her lecture will draw upon her recent coedited collection, Women and the Holocaust: New Perspectives and Challenges. Dr. Krasuska's lecture is co-sponsored by the Center for Polish Studies.
  

Films: 

• On March 6 (7pm, Wick Alumni Lounge), the History & Political Science Department is screening the classic 1959 French film, Hiroshima Mon Amour, timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the film's release. Dr. Kevin Telford (Associate Professor of French, Modern Languages Department) will comment and lead a discussion after the movie. 
• On March 27 (7pm, RIC120), the AAUW Student Organization will air the 2016 (remake) of the movie, Ghostbusters, in which paranormal investigators try to prove that ghosts are real. Students will discuss the film through a feminist lens, focusing on the significance of the all-female cast and reframed story.  
• on March 28 (4pm, DS336), Dr. Shannon Lupien and other members of the Psychological Sciences Department will present The Tale as part of the Daemen Film Series. The Tale explores the aftermath of the sexual assault of a child--from the perspective of the adult survivor of sexual assault who is coming to terms with what happened to her as a child and who needs to understand the stories she told herself to survive her experiences.  

Poetry Reading:

• On March 20 (7pm, 3rd floor RIC), the Readings at the RIC poetry series features two female poets from Buffalo: Rachelle Toarmino and Theresa Wyatt

AAUW: Sign-design & Interest Meeting:

• On March 7 (7pm, RIC Den), members of the AAUW Student Organization will come together to make signs and socialize before the 2019 Buffalo Women's March (scheduled for Sunday, March 10). The club promotes gender equality and action in behalf of women's education and gender pay equity. Make a sign, plan for the March, and learn more about the AAUW and its members. 
  

Upcoming events: Visit this page for updates on April's events:

• Dr. Laura Watts, Associate Professor of Art History (Visual and Performing Arts Department) -- will lecture on images of the matria in 19th century Italian paintings (Time/location TBA)

• On April 17 (Academic Festival) the AAUW Student Organization is holding a World Hijab Day Acknowledgement event--and henna booth. Learn about cultural traditions associated with wearing hijab--why do women wear them, and what do they represent? The club will also sponsor a henna booth. Get a henna tattoo and learn about the cultural significance of henna body ornamentation in different cultures. The event is scheduled to run for several hours, but most visitors will want to stay for 15 to 30 minutes so you can stop by between other events at Academic Festival. (schedule will be posted here)

Read more about this year's Women's History Month events in this story from The Daemen Voice and by visiting the History & Political Science Department's Facebook page.

Questions? Contact Dr. Penny Messinger, Associate Professor of History and Director of Daemen's Women's Studies Program.

Insurgent Women: Female Combatants in Civil Wars

Congratulations, scholarship winners!

A number of our majors have been selected to receive scholarships in recognition of their academic achievements, and academic potential. Congratulations!

The Elizabeth George Ivers Endowed Scholarship for Women

This scholarship, created by our distinguished alumna Elizabeth George Ivers, recognizes high-achieving students with a record of academic success who are engaged in the community. This year's recipients are Madeleine Ruger (sophomore, History) and Gabrielle Sinnott (junior, History & Political Science). Earlier this semester, Gabrielle also received a Benjamin Gilman International scholarship to study abroad in Thailand this summer (read more here).

Madeleine Ruger

Gabrielle Sinnott

Ruth Stratton Scholarship

The Ruth Stratton Scholarship is an endowed scholarship named in honor of Daemen Political Science professor Dr. Ruth Stratton. This scholarship is awarded yearly to an outstanding sophomore or junior major who excels academically. This year's recipient, Megan Racinowski (sophomore, Political Science), intends to pursue a career combining environmental advocacy and law, two areas of Dr. Stratton's deep interest and expertise.

Megan Racinowski

Career Services scholarship

Two of our majors, Annamarie Diapaul (junior, Political Science), and Megan Racinowski (sophomore, Political Science) have been awarded Career Services scholarships to support internships this summer. This is Megan's second internship (read about her internship in Washington, D.C., with US Senator Tom Carper (Delaware).

Annamarie Diapaul

Megan Racinowski

SOS Women's Leadership Award

The SOS Women's Leadership Award, sponsored by the Daemen College Eaglettes (women's faculty organization), is named for three legendary female Daemen professors: Dr. Ruth Stratton, Dr. Betty O'Neill, and Dr. Kaye Sullivan. This college-wide award recognizes two female students each year who have demonstrated outstanding leadership. This year, one of the recipients was graduating senior Brianna Zichettella (Political Science). In addition to her excellent academic record, Brianna was former president of the American Association of University Women (AAWU) Student Organization and wrote a number of articles for Daemen's student newspaper and literary magazine.

Brianna Zichettella

AAUW Chamberlin Award

The Chamberlin grant/loan program, operated by the American Association of University Women (AAUW)'s Buffalo Chapter, provides grants and interest free loans to students who are selected through a competitive application process. Taqiyah Gibbons (graduating senior, History) was among this year's recipients. She will use the award to pay for her Study-Abroad trip to Africa this summer. (Read more here)   

Taqiyah Gibbons

Congratulations to all of our scholarship winners!

History major Taqiyah Gibbons receives AAUW scholarship to study abroad

History major Taqiyah Gibbons ('18) has received an award from the American Association of University Women's Chamberlin Grant & Loan fund, administered by the Buffalo Chapter of the AAUW. Taqiyah is a History major with minors in Public History, Pre-Law Studies, Criminal Justice, and Black Studies. She will use the award to help pay for a study abroad trip this summer.

Taqiyah Gibbons

The award from the AAUW is helping Taqiyah to realize her dream of international study:

"The American Association of University Women is an organization that I have not only supported for a long time but whose mission I closely align with. I have wanted to study abroad since my freshman year but because I come from a single parent household that idea has always seemed impossible. 

After doing my research, I decided to apply for the Chamberlin Grant through the Buffalo Chapter of AAUW. A few months and an interview later I was blessed to receive the grant, making it possible to finally study abroad. This is my final year and I wanted to end it knowing that I got the best experience out of my college career. AAUW believed in me enough to support one of my dreams and I am truly grateful that because of them this summer I will be able to leave this country for the first time and begin my journey of traveling the world."

The Chamberlin Loan program, which has been in operation since 1973, provides financial support  to underwrite educational expenses for female students, mainly in the form of low-interest loans. You can learn more about the Chamberlin Loan program and other grants offered by the AAUW's Buffalo chapter here.

Daemen's AAUW Student Organization supports and upholds the AAUW mission of expanding educational opportunities for women and narrowing the gender pay gap. The club is open to all Daemen students, who also receive a free e-membership from the AAUW because of Daemen's institutional membership in the AAUW. To join as a student member, click here and scroll down to the "Free e-Student Membership" link for AAUW College/University members. To learn more about Daemen's AAUW Student Organization, or to become a member, contact Dr. Penny Messinger, Women's Studies program director and faculty advisor for the AAUW Student Organization.

Daemen offers study-abroad opportunities all over the world. Interested in studying abroad? Contact our Global Programs office to learn more. 

March is Women's History Month

Daemen marks its first decade of celebrating women's role in history

Image from the National Women's History Project  

http://www.nwhp.org/womens-history-month/womens-history-month-history/

Monday, February 27

4:30-6:30pm, Alumni Lounge, Wick Center

Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed

    This 2005 documentary focuses upon Shirley Chisholm's 1972 Presidential campaign. Chisholm was the first black woman elected to Congress and a catalyst for change. Her 1972 presidential campaign confronted racism, sexism, poverty, and war.

Sponsored by the Women’s Studies Program for Women's History Month and Black History Month

Tuesday, March 7

6:45-8:45pm, RIC120

CLAW: The Collective of Lady Arm Wrestlers

Film and discussion by Dr. Shannon Lupien

    The Collective of Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLAW) is a national not-for-profit alliance of theatrical lady arm wrestlers that seeks to empower women and strengthen local communities through theatrics, arm wrestling, and philanthropy. This documentary details the beginning of the lady arm wrestling movement and its spread to over 25 cities throughout the US and internationally.

     After the film, Dr. Shannon Lupien (Assistant Professor of Psychology and 3-time arm-wrestling champion) will discuss her experience as a wrestler and its role in empowering women.

Sponsored by the Department of Psychology & Women's Studies Program
Light refreshments provided

Monday, March 20

11:15am-12:20pm, Duns Scotus 26

Straight Science, or: Sexing the Romance of Egg and Sperm

    Scientists are still struggling to find evidence of "homosexuality" in the human body, and heterosexuality appears to be the biological default. Where did this assumption come from, and what does it do to how we do science? Where does hetero-romance creep into our scientific observations? And what does this kind of "straight" thinking do to "other" bodies and our experiences?

Open classroom session for PHI/REL/WST 336: Sex, Love, and God 
Sponsored by Dr. Heike Peckruhn, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies

Monday, March 20

7:30pm, Alumni Lounge, Wick Center

What Happened to Miss Simone?

     This 2015 biographical documentary explores the life and career of America’s legendary singer, pianist, and civil rights activist Nina Simone. Known as the “high priestess of soul,” Simone left the US for Liberia at the height of her fame. 
Part of the Daemen Film Series

Dr. Shawn Kelley, Professor of Religious Studies, will lead a discussion after the film

Tuesday, March 21

6:30-8:30pm, RIC120
Unsung Heroes: Women in the Military

     Why do women choose to join the military and what contributions have they made to our nation’s defense? A panel of local female veterans will address these questions and more as they share their stories of military life and discuss the challenges and rewards of life in the military and issues related to adjusting to civilian life. Veterans on the panel will also answer questions from the audience and respond to issues raised by the documentary film, Unsung Heroes.

     Panelists include Lynn Magistrale; Jennifer Wiese, LMSW; Laureen Barone; and Nerfis Elminowski, ANP-BC, DNP. 

Co-sponsored by the Nancy Habermann Gacioch Veterans Center, Sigma Omega Chi Sorority, and the Student Veterans Alliance. More information at 839-7218 
Light refreshments provided

Wednesday, March 22

7:30pm, 3rd Floor Lounge, Research & Information Commons 

Readings at the RIC

Ansie Baird and Ann Goldsmith are this month's featured poets for Buffalo's well-respected ongoing poetry reading series.Readings in the RIC, whose participants meet on Daemen's campus every month (3rd floor of RIC). Sign up for the Open Reading at the start of the event to share your own poetry.

Co-sponsored by the RIC and the Daemen College Honors Program. 

Contact Dr. Peter Siedlecki for more details: psiedlec@daemen.edu 

Light refreshments provided

Thursday, March 23

5:30-7:00pm Rosary Hall

Gender & Careers Panel Discussion/ Mixer

How are women’s opportunities and career paths shaped by gender? Join a diverse group of Daemen College & Rosary Hill College Alumni to discuss how gender has shaped their careers—followed by a mixer between panelists and students in attendance. Panelists include alumni from different departments and graduation years.

** The S.O.S. Scholarship for Women’s Activism and Leadership will be awarded at this event. 
Co-sponsored by the Rosary Hill-Daemen College Alumni Association, AAUW Student Organization, the Daemen Eaglettes, and the Women’s Studies Program.

Hearty refreshments included 

Tuesday, March 28

6:30-8:30pm, Wick Social Room

Dr. Farida Jalalzai, “The Global Dimensions of Women’s Executive Leadership”

     What trends and conditions make it possible for women to rise to presidential and prime ministerial posts worldwide? Why does women’s leadership matter for democracy? Dr. Farida Jalalzai will address these questions in this lecture that explores the role of gender in the political arena and the patterns of women’s leadership worldwide.

     Dr. Farida Jalalzai, the Hannah Atkins Endowed Chair and Associate Professor of Political Science at Oklahoma State University, has published extensively on topics related to the representation and behavior of women and minorities in politics and the role of gender in the political arena. Her publications include Shattered, Cracked and Firmly Intact: Women and the Executive Glass Ceiling Worldwide (Oxford University Press), and Women Presidents of Latin America: Beyond Family Ties? (Routledge 2016).

Sponsored by History & Politics Event series (History  Political Science Department), Women’s Studies Program, Department of Modern Languages, & Global Programs Office

**COMING ATTRACTIONS (April)**

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

1:00-3:00pm, Executive Board Room, Wick Center (part of Academic Festival Schedule)

Acknowledgement of World Hijab Day

     The hijab is a type of religious covering worn by many Muslim women across the world. Have you ever wondered what it really means to wear a hijab? Or how to put one on? Or what you'd look like covered? Join Daemen's American Association of University Women (AAUW) as we explore the answers to these questions.

Date/Time/Location TBA:

Start Smart! Salary Negotiation Workshop

     Members of the American Association of University Women (AUW) Student Organization are planning to hold a Start Smart salary negotiation workshop in collaboration with members of the Buffalo Chapter of the AAUW in April!

     Join us to learn how to research salaries and negotiate for the starting salary you deserve in this interactive workshop led by trained AAUW facilitators.

Contact Dr. Penny Messinger for more details (pmessing@daemen.edu)

** All events are free and open to the public**

** For more information about these events, contact Dr. Penny Messinger Women’s Studies Program Director, at pmessing@daemen.edu **

Women's March on Seneca Falls, overlooking the National Women's Rights Museum, 1-21-2017. Photo by Brianna Zichettella