By Michael Riddick and Martin Paredes
Drama, films and seminars will fill the calendar as South Campus celebrates Women’s History Month with the theme Leading the Future — Linking the Past.
Event committee and Women’s Symposium chairperson Triesha Light said the goal of the events is to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of women as well as to create a sense of teamwork between students, faculty and the community.
The month “recognizes, promotes and celebrates women’s contributions and causes by providing education, entertainment and networking events,” she said.
With spring break in March, some events will be held in late February to maximize participation.
The drama program bridged the gap between Black History Month and Women’s History Month earlier this month in the Joe B. Rushing Center for the Performing Arts with its production of August Wilson’s Fences.
The kickoff event is the Women’s Symposium Feb. 28 in the Student Center. The focus of this year’s symposium is Women in Business.
The symposium will provide networking opportunities, guest speakers and vendors.
In addition to the symposium, other events include seminars and workshops covering topics such as women’s health, combating domestic violence, resume building and leadership among younger women as well as free mammograms March 26.
Light said she wants attendees to get “a sense of pride in being a woman and celebrating the different accomplishments through various events.”
However, Light pointed out the events are not for women only.
“Our events are open to the men and women,” she said. “We don’t discriminate.”
Nicole Harris serves as chair of the Wanda Hill Women’s History Month Scholarship committee. The scholarship is the monetary beneficiary of the month’s activities.
“Ours is the only scholarship program for students on South Campus during the summer,” she said.
While a number of events are free, ticket sales from a March 24 luncheon in the Student Center and vendor sales from the symposium go directly into funding the scholarship.
In addition to the funding generated for the scholarship, Harris hopes attendees and participants see the activities as a way to learn about various community outreach efforts and resources that are available.
She said she would like for attendees to get an “awareness of and pride in the many resources available through our community partnerships.”
Light said South works with the Women’s Center and other community outreach partners for the symposium. Community participation is encouraged. Vendor opportunities are available for a $25 fee, which helps fund the scholarship.
TCC’s role, not just the committee’s, is vital to making all events a success.
“At a district level, they [TCC] put a message about Women’s History Month on the rotator for the district site in March with a link to a calendar for all campus events for March,” Light said.
She would love to see TCC do even more.
“On my wish list would be [for TCC] to pay for a billboard around Fort Worth promoting our events so the community would be more aware of what we are doing to celebrate women’s causes and education,” she said.
Harris summed up the event in one word: empowerment. Light, however, chose two: educational and provocative.
South coordinator of health services Tina Ingram summed up the month’s celebration.
“Women’s History Month on this campus is very well-rounded.” She said. “It’s well-presented, and there’s a lot of very excellent activities where women can learn.”
For more information, including a full rundown of all the activities, contact Light at triesha.light@tccd.edu or 817-515-470 or see the WHM Calendar in this issue.
Women’s Health
South:
Health Seminar
12:30-1:30 p.m.
March 3
SHPE gym
NE:
Self-defense class
10 a.m.-noon March 16
NSTU 1615A
South:
Five
breast cancer film, talk 2:30-4:30 p.m.
March 31
SREC Recital Hall
