Mar 4, 2022
Dear campus community,
The recent nomination of federal judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the nation’s highest court and the 2021 election of Michelle Wu as mayor of Boston remind us of the importance of celebrating Women’s History month. Originating in a week-long celebration hosted in Sonoma, California in 1978, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed March Women’s History month in 1980.
Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Black woman to be nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court in its 232-year history. Mayor Wu is the first Asian American woman elected to lead one of the oldest municipalities in the country. The historic nature of these achievements is a reminder that gender equity remains uneven in the world’s first modern democracy. The current trends of persisting inequities in pay, workplace advancement and other areas underscore the imperative to address equity and inclusion more comprehensively, especially for individuals who now represent 50% of college students and 57% of U.S. employees. If anything, the pandemic has illuminated the disproportionate burden that women bear as essential workers in critical sectors of the economy and as care givers at home.
Celebrating Women’s History month is an opportunity to equip ourselves to advocate for gender equity year-round. Join the following events to strengthen your own advancement skills or to show support as an ally. Please note: these events are scheduled in Pacific time where noted.
- March 3 at 5 p.m. – Creative Dissent: Asian/American Womxn Artists Respond to Hate. This Illuminations event co-sponsored with the Department of Global Studies gathers some of the most innovative writers, visual artists, musicians, performers on the contemporary art scene, responding to structural violence through “creative dissent,” to not only challenge Asian stereotypes, but highlight often marginalized and overlooked subgroups. RSVP
- March 4 at 10 a.m. – EmpowerHer Summit. EmpowerHER Summit is a campuswide event for students, faculty and staff. This annual event provides an opportunity to build community connections, learn holistic wellness skills, and explore various professional development topics. RSVP
- March 4 at 1 p.m. in Humanities Gateway 1030 – Honoring Ella Turenne. Ella was a doctoral student in Visual Studies who inspired us to conceive the arts as a form of social justice and resistance. Her research focused on Black feminist theory and visual culture. Come together with departments of Visual Studies, Art History, and Film and Media Studies to celebrate Ella’s wonderful life. Registration not required.
- March 7 at 1 p.m. – Let’s Talk Relationships: BIPOC Womxn Mental Health. Come have conversations on different relationship topics every week with Womxn’s Center for Success Counselor in Residence, Dr. Shruti and Lydia. RSVP
- March 8 at 11 a.m. – International Women’s Day Webinar: Managing Your Energy. In this timely and important session, Janet Ioli will discuss strategies to manage our energy instead of our time to optimize our performance. RSVP
- March 8 at 4 p.m. – Certain Women Directors: U.S. Independent Cinema as World Cinema – held at Humanities Gateway 1070 and sponsored by Film and Media Studies. RSVP
- March 8 at 5:30 p.m. – Confronting Extremism: A Conversation with Deborah Lipstadt and Douglas Haynes. Guests are encouraged to visit the UCI Libraries’ Americans and the Holocaust Exhibition during regular library hours. Required registration for this virtual event
- March 9 at 3 p.m. – API Womxn’s Equal Pay Day: Art of Negotiation Workshop. Join the Womxn’s Center staff for our Art of Negotiation Workshop to learn how and why negotiating salary is one tool to tackle the gender pay gap. RSVP
- March 10 at 1 p.m. – Entering Research: Evidence-Based Resources to Advance STEMM Research Training by Janet Branchaw (Director of Wisconsin Institute for Science Education and Community Engagement). This seminar is offered in-person or virtually. Details and RSVP
- March 10 at 6:30 p.m. – International Film Club: Cameraperson (Kristen Johnson, 2016). In Honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Kristen Johnson edits together footage of her work as a cinematographer on a variety of documentaries. RSVP
- March 25 at 8 p.m. – Bessie, Billie & Nina: Pioneering Women in Jazz. Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Nina Simone were among the most influential and popular singers of their times. Pioneering Women in Jazz celebrates the enduring legacies of these music icons with performances of their classic songs with a six-piece all-female ensemble. Purchase Tickets to Attend
- March 30 at 12 p.m. – Nuestra Belleza Indígena ft. Charlie Amáyá Scott. Hosted by the Womxn’s Center for Success & Latinx Resource Center. Please check the Womxn’s Center for Success website for additional details.
- March 30 at 3:30 p.m. – Posthumous presentation of the Great Americans Medal to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Sponsored by the National Museum of American History. RSVP and view other virtual event listings
- April 28, 2022 at 5 p.m. – Virtual event with Sandra Cisneros. Join the award-winning author to examine the theme “For a more perfect union?” Hosted by Illuminations, Advisory Council on Campus Climate, Culture and Inclusion, Humanities Center, Program in Literary Journalism, and the Office of Inclusive Excellence. RSVP for Zoom link
- Get your nominations ready for the Dynamic Womxn of UCI Awards – Recognizing womxn leaders and role models across the UCI community. Please check the Womxn’s Center for Success website for additional details.
- Read about the status of women and actively align goals to address report recommendations. For example, review the UCI Task Force action items to prevent sexual harassment and power-based violence. Please view the full Task Force report
In closing, I ask you to extend your involvement in these and other activities beyond a dedicated month to benefit colleagues all year. Thank you for your consideration.
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Douglas M. Haynes, Ph.D. (Pronouns: he/him/his)Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and InclusionChief Diversity OfficerDirector, ADVANCE ProgramProfessor of History