Each March throughout the country, thousands of events are held to celebrate women as a force in history during Women’s History Month. Authorized by Congress as Women’s History Week in 1981 and expanded to a month in 1987, Women’s History Month has been part of our cultural calendar for over a generation.

This year, the Institute for Women’s Studies and Services at Metro State presents its 21st annual series of programs that celebrate women’s lives, experiences and histories. Events, which start this Thursday, range from a seminar on the intersection of feminism and hip hop to a poetry slam to a discussion on Republican Feminism.

THURSDAY, MARCH 1
Class: A Dance of the Heart, Belly Dance Class (ongoing Thursdays)
5:15-6:15 p.m., St. Francis Center

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7
Hair, Halos and Hats: Women’s History through Headwear from Ancient to Modern Times
Dr. Beverly Chico
11:30 a.m., CN 217

Worlds of Love: Women’s Relationships in the Nineteenth Century
Dr. Marjorie Levine-Clark
1 p.m., NC 1515

Bridge Speaker: At the Intersection of Feminism and Hip Hop
Joan Morgan, former executive editor of Essence Magazine and current writes for the Village Voice
Lecture followed by book signing and reception
2:30 p.m., St. Cajetan’s

THURSDAY, MARCH 8
Crossing Boundaries in a “Minority” Majority America
Helen Zia
1 p.m., Tivoli Turnhalle

The Rise and Fall of Republican Feminism
Dr. Catherine Rymph, professor and author
1 p.m., NC 1515

FRIDAY, MARCH 9
Women's Leadership Conference
9 a.m.-2 p.m., Tivoli Turnhalle

SATURDAY, MARCH 10
Self Defense: Protecting Ourselves, Level 1
9 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Francis Center Atrium

MONDAY, MARCH 12
Birth in America: How Patriarchy, Capitalism and America's Healthcare Crisis is Holding Expectant Mothers Hostage
10-11:15 a.m., Tivoli 140 - Sigis

Film and discussion: The Motherhood Manifesto
11:30-12:45, Tivoli 140 - Sigis

TUESDAY, MARCH 13
Spirituality Series: Women and Islam
11:30 a.m., Tivoli Multicultural Lounge

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14
Women’s Spirituality Festival: Different Paths, One Journey
9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tivoli 320

MONDAY, MARCH 26
A Women’s Place is in the Kitchen: A Brief History and Current Perspective on the Culinary Arts
Carol Ann West
10 a.m., Tivoli 640

TUESDAY, MARCH 27
Poetry, Passion, and Perception: A Poetry Slam
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Tivoli Multicultural Lounge

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28
Documentary Film: Epitaph
Ana Sami
10-11:15 a.m, Location TBA

Discussion and film: Bridging the LGBT Generation Gap
Noon-1 p.m., Tivoli 320

THURSDAY, MARCH 29
U.S. - Cuba Relations
Jane Franklin
2:30 p.m., Location TBA

SATURDAY, MARCH 31
Herbal Healing for Women
Shelley Torgove, Apothecary Tinctura
9 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Francis

ONGOING
Tell-Her-Grams
If you want to let a woman in your life know you think she is fabulous, stop by the Institute for Women’s Studies and Services to order a Tell-Her-Gram. Tell-Her-Grams feature a quotation from a famous woman (with many options available) and are a great way to wish someone a happy Women’s History Month! Tell-Her-Grams will be delivered on campus on March 8 and March 30 and can also be delivered by mail or email. Each Tell-Her-Gram costs $1. The funds go to support the Institute for Women’s Studies and Services.

For more information about these and other Women’s History Month events, call Metro State’s Institute for Women’s Studies and Services, 303-556-8441.