History month for women had small-time start

By Emily Laughlin
The Metropolitan

Feminist leader Gloria Steinem and former Miss America Marilyn Van Derbur-Atler are among speakers scheduled to appear in March at Auraria to celebrate Womenâs History Month.

Olympic Gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee served as the bridge speaker between Black History Month and Womenâs History Month. Former pornography actress Linda Marchiano, also known as Linda Lovelace, spoke March 2 about the pornography industry and its exploitation of women.

Such events during Womenâs History Month have attracted an average of 2,000 people to Auraria during each of the last five years, said Tara Tull of the Institute for Womenâs Studies and Services.

Throughout the month, speakers will discuss Jewish heroines, home ownership and sexual harassment, among other topics. Steinem will speak March 26 at the Tivoli Turnhalle.

National Womenâs History Month is a celebration of womenâs heritage. It originated in Sonoma County, California, in 1978.

Countywide festivities there during the week of March 8 used to be tagged Womenâs History Week.

The county celebration became nationally recognized in 1981, after national leaders of organizations for women and girls also lobbied for a congressional resolution declaring a National Womenâs History Week. They succeeded in 1981 with the help of Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Rep. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.

In 1987, the National Womenâs History Project petitioned Congress to expand the festivities to a month-long celebration. Bipartisan support designated March as National Womenâs History Month.

Student fees and various sponsorships fund Womenâs History Month events.

The Institute for Womenâs Studies and Services, established at Auraria in 1985, organizes most of the events.

Iota Iota Iota, Metroâs Womenâs Studies honor society, and other campus organizations also contribute to the activities.