Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.”  Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.”  In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.”  Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month.  Since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”  (Source: http://womenshistorymonth.gov/about.html).

Every March, the UMKC Women’s Center publishes a list of events at UMKC and in Kansas City honoring Women’s History Month. Below are the events for March 2017:

• Women’s History Month Trivia. Wednesday, March 1 – Friday, March 24. Multiple Locations. Check out UMKC Women’s Center’s social media pages and the electronic message boards in buildings across campus for trivia questions about Women’s History Month and this year’s national theme, “Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business.” Prizes will be awarded to trivia contest winners. For more information contact Devashree Naik at dvnqn5@mail.umkc.edu or 913-701-2872. Sponsor: UMKC Women’s Center.
• Mujer/Woman: Latina Artists as Examiners, Documenters, and Creators. Friday, March 3– Saturday, March 25. Gallery timings: Wednesday – Saturday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Mattie Rhodes Art Gallery and Art Center, 919 West 17th Street, Kansas City, MO 641008. As part of Women’s History Month the Mattie Rhodes Art Gallery is proud to present our 2nd Annual exhibition MUJER/WOMAN: Latina Artists as Examiners, Documenters, and Creators. This exhibition highlights the multi-dimensionality of being a Woman Artist of Color at this point in time, history and location while looking closely at the role the Artist plays in their respective communities. Highlighting the individual practice or collective efforts – MUJER/WOMAN is an opportunity to celebrate the work coming from Woman Artists of Color in Kansas City and the larger Midwest region. For questions or more information, please contact us at artsinfo@mattierhodes.org or 816-221-2356. Sponsor: Mattie Rhodes Center Gallery.
• Women Who Lead in Uniform. Wednesday, March 8, 12:00p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Miller Nichols Library, Room 325, 500 E. 51st Street Kansas City, MO 64110. Join us for this panel discussion featuring women leaders in the military and civil services. Lunch provided. Please RSVP by March 3 to umkc-womens-center@umkc.edu or 816-235-1638. Sponsors: UMKC Women’s Center, and the Women’s Empowerment Initiative.
• 1 Million Cups Presentation on Appointments Project. Wednesday, March 8, 8:30 am to 10:00 am at Springfield Art Museum, 1111 E Brookside Dr., Springfield, MO 65807. 1 Million Cups is a free, national program designed to educate, engage, and connect entrepreneurs.  Developed by the Kauffman Foundation, 1MC is based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and network over a million cups of coffee. To register for the event, visit 1 Million Cups at http://www.1millioncups.com/. Sponsor: Women’s Foundation.
• Women’s Foundation International Day of Woman Reception. Wednesday, March 8, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Webster House, 1644 Wyandotte, Kansas City, MO 64108. This event is for Inner Circle members of Women’s Foundation, and others will have the opportunity to RSVP beginning March 1st based on availability. Please RSVP by March 1 at WOMENS-FOUNDATION.ORG or 816.519.0323. Sponsor: Women’s Foundation.
• Women of Color Leadership Conference: High School Collegiate Connection Date. Thursday, March 9, 8:30p.m.-1:30 p.m.at UMKC Student Union, 5100 Cherry St., Kansas City, MO 64110. This is an all-day conference that is for, by and about young women of color that promotes equity, education and professional development. This conference includes a continental breakfast with an opening plenary, breakout sessions, and a keynote luncheon. No cost for current UMKC Students. To register, please email umkcwoclc@umkc.edu. Sponsors: The Division of Diversity and Inclusion.
• Wiki Women Artists Edit-a-Thon. Saturday, March 11, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Miller Nichols Library, iX Theatre, 800 E. 51st Street, Kansas City MO 64110. Join us for an afternoon dedicated to adding more women artists to Wikipedia. No experience necessary. Light snacks provided. Free to all. Sponsors: UMKC Women’s Center, UMKC Department of Art & Art History, UMKC Graduate Art History Association, Art+Feminism, and Women in STEAM Program.
• Meet The Experts: The Thorne Rooms. Sunday, March 12, 2.00 p.m.-3.00 p.m., The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, 5235 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64112. Get to know the experts at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures through this monthly exploration of special topics. On March 12, Lindsay Mican Morgan, keeper of the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago, will examine Mrs. Thorne and the role of women’s guilds in the creation of the miniature rooms. Included with museum admission: $5 for ages 5 and up, free for museum members, and UMKC faculty, staff and students with a valid ID. For more information contact at http://toyandminiaturemuseum.org/upcoming/. Sponsors: The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures.
• Girls, Women, and International Education. Tuesday, March 14, 6:00-8:00pm, National Archives, 400 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108. A distinguished panel of three educators/experts in the area of international education will discuss: How are girls and women educated abroad?; Outcomes of gender parity and the U.N.’s Millennium Development Goals; American girls and women study abroad; Overview of inbound and outbound international students. Reservations are requested for this free event by calling 816-268-8010 or emailing educate@nara.gov. For more details: visit AAUW-KC website at www.aauwkc.org. Program presented in partnership with American Association University Women-KC Branch and National Archives at Kansas City.
• Performance by Women of UMKC Conservatory Choirs. Tuesday, March 14, 7:30 p.m., Visitation Catholic Church, 5141 Main St. Kansas City MO 64112. Women of the Conservatory Choirs perform, with special guests St. Mary’s College Choir and the Kansas City Women’s Chorus. This event is free for all. For more information contact at umkc.edu or 816.235.2900. Sponsor: The Conservatory of Music and Dance.
• Inspiration Through Love. Thursday, March 16, 6.00 p.m. This will be a discussion about the history of gays, lesbians, and women in classical music, and how things have changed over time, as well as how identity has affected and inspired the making of art., UMKC Student Union 401BC, 5100 Cherry St., Kansas City, MO 64110. Lecture will be followed by reception. For more information contact at umkc.edu or 816.235.2900. Sponsor: The Conservatory of Music and Dance. Sponsor: The Conservatory of Music and Dance, UMKC Women’s Center, UMKC LGBTQIA Programs and Services Office.
• Spring Opera: Rodelinda. Thursday, March 23– Saturday, March 25, 7:30 p.m. and March 26, 2:30 p.m., White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry, Kansas City, MO 64110-2229. In one of Handel’s best dramas, we find our heroine Rodelinda, who believes her husband to be dead, forced to marry a despicable character or see him murder her son. How will this story end? Tickets $12 general public, but free for all UMKC faculty, staff, and all students FREE with UMKC or student ID. For more information contact at umkc.edu or 816.235.2900. Sponsor: The Conservatory of Music and Dance.
• Making Space as Artists & Community / Gallery Discussion. Saturday, March 25, 1:00p.m. – 2:30p.m., Mattie Rhodes Art Gallery and Art Center, 919 West 17th Street, Kansas City, MO 641008. This talk invites current artists and groups to discuss the presence and impact of Woman Artists of Color and their role as community workers, collectives and full-time Artists. Bring ideas, share what you know about your own group or a collective elsewhere and ways we can foster support as Women Artists of Color in Kansas City and the region. For questions or more information, please contact us at artsinfo@mattierhodes.org or 816-221-2356. Sponsor: Mattie Rhodes Center Art Gallery.