Northwest Missouri State University is commemorating its Womxn's History Month with a series of activities, culminating with its annual Influential Womxn Awards.

The nationwide observance of Women's History Month this year is using the theme “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope” as a tribute to the work of caregivers and frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a recognition of the ways women of all cultures have provided healing and hope throughout history. Northwest is calling its celebration Womxn's History Month to encourage inclusivity and uphold inclusive excellence.

“It is vital that we celebrate Women’s History Month at Northwest to recognize the many achievements of influential women that usually go unnoticed, and to acknowledge the role Northwest's women have played in delivering care and spreading the spirit of hope,” Dr. Giselle Greenidge, an assistant professor of sociology and a member of Northwest’s Womxn's History Month Committee, said. “Women worldwide are the predominant providers of informal care, and Northwest is no exception.” 

Northwest’s activities, which are free and open to the public, begin with a session, as part of the University’s Visiting Writers Series, featuring poets Mary Biddinger, Julia Kolchinsky Dasbach and Allison Joseph at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, via Zoom.

Wellness Services will host a Wellness Workshop to discuss the topic of mental wellness at 1 p.m. Monday, March 21, in Meeting Room D of the J.W. Jones Student Union.

Then, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, in The Station Center Room, Northwest will host a screening of “Roma” and a discussion afterward. The 2018 film depicts a young indigenous woman who works as a maid for a middle-class white family and her journey amid domestic and political turmoil in 1970s Mexico.

Northwest’s reception and recognition of “Influential Womxn” caps the month’s activities at 3 p.m. Friday, March 25, in the Student Union Boardroom. The Northwest community is invited to nominate students, faculty and staff at Northwest who have positively influenced lives and made outstanding contributions to the University community. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Monday, March 7, by visiting https://www.nwmissouri.edu/diversity/whm/nomination.htm.

National Women’s History Month was founded in 1987 when the U.S. Congress declared that it be celebrated each March. A presidential proclamation is issued annually to honor the achievements of American women.

In addition to the Womxn's History Month Advisory Board, the activities are sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion; the Department of Language, Literature and Writing; and Wellness Services.

For more information about Womxn's History Month activities at Northwest, contact Greenidge at ggreenidge@nwmissouri.edu, or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/diversity/whm/.