Did you know that March is officially Women’s History Month in America? It’s been that way since 1981, thanks to an official act of Congress. But this year’s celebration has a new name: “HERstory: Women’s History Month.”
That’s an unofficial title. The rechristening wasn’t an act of Congress. Women’s groups across America decided that all on their own.
So what’s in a name? And does the name change even matter? We posed that question to Jada McNeill, the assistant director of New College’s Student Activities and Campus Engagement (SAuCE).
According to her, it matters a great deal. She thinks that adding “HERstory” to “Women’s History Month” changes everything. That one little word sends a clear message: “It’s our story now.”
“People really need to understand all the ways that women help push our democracy forward, and the importance of having women represented in our government,” McNeill said. “‘HERstory’ is history. It’s the story of who we are right now and the choices we face.”
To celebrate this story, New College is hosting a virtual seminar entitled “HERstory Month” from noon to 1:15 p.m. Wed. March 17. The panel discussion, which is part of the “Context for Discourse” (C4D) series, will feature two game-changing women who are making their voices heard.
Bushra Amiwala is the youngest Muslim elected official in the United States. She is a committed storyteller who travels across the nation, and she hopes her narrative will inspire others to take action.
Alexandria Harris, Esq. is the president of the Andrew Goodman Foundation, which was named in honor of the young Black man who gave his life for freedom in the “Freedom Summer” of 1964. This New Jersey-based nonprofit organization strives to keep Goodman’s work and story alive in a new century.
These “HERstory” panelists will focus on the political achievements of American women. They will look back at recent challenges, including last year’s voter mobilization efforts. They will look ahead to our post-election future, and what it will take to keep moving forward. The discussion should be lively. But these panelists aren’t all talk.
According to McNeill, all three women are politically engaged. They combine words with deeds.
“Our panelists are amazing,” McNeill said. “Directly or indirectly, each has been a part of voter mobilization efforts.”
McNeill also makes things happen. Along with leaders such as Amy Reid, Ph.D., professor of French and gender studies, McNeill is part of New College’s “Feminist Fridays” series. Issues have included the importance of women voters and a celebration of 100 years of suffrage.
This semester, McNeill is keeping the spotlight on women’s efforts in American politics—their pivotal role in getting marginalized voters to the polls, especially. That role looms large in New College’s student discussions and in the “HERstory” seminar.
So why is voter registration a women’s issue? According to many, because American women decided to make it an issue. They took to the streets, if necessary, to fight for everyone’s right to vote. Bottom line? Women are vital to American democracy.
New College’s virtual seminar is just a small part of a larger movement. It reflects a national commitment to women’s voices, and the same commitment on the New College campus.
The C4D webinar series is a collaboration between the SA[u]CE office and the Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence (OOIE), and it is designed to spark discussions about issues that impact the campus community and the world.
Women are a vital part of it. They are the heart of the “HERstory” discussion. For McNeill, what’s the ideal takeaway?
“That women can get the job done,” she said.
To register for the free event, click here.
Su Byron is the communications specialist for the New College Foundation.