Women’s History Month began on March 1, and the Women’s and Gender Studies Program has planned several events to commemorate the occasion. “People identifying as women make a large proportion in every society,” shares M.C. Santana, director of the Women’s and Gender Studies program. “I think through remembrance, celebration and awareness, we can start to recognize each other in our differences and in our similarities.”
This year’s programming centers around the theme of Voces Latinx: A Showcase of Students and Faculty Creative Endeavor, with the co-sponsorship of the Puerto Rico Research Hub, the Burnett Honors College, the English Department, the Philosophy Department and the Humanities and Cultural Studies program.
“It became almost organic that the group shaping had Latinx in common as a theme or by the person creating the craft,” explains Santana. “It seems to me a perfect combination to allow writers, poets, videographers, performing artists and teachers to come together.”
On Tuesday, March 23, from 10:30–11:30 a.m., the Voces Latinx event series will kick off with a faculty showcase featuring Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz, assistant professor of studio art, and Nessette Falu, assistant professor of anthropology, along with the crafts of Sonia Arellano. The showcase will be moderated by the associate professor and director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program. Register for this event here.
A student showcase will follow on Wednesday, March 24, from 12:00–1:30 p.m. The showcase will feature the creative productions of Women’s and Gender Studies students Stacey DiLiberto, Marena-Montes Colon and Kizharia “Kiki” Hernandez. Cecilia Rodriguez Milanes, associate professor of English, will moderate the showcase. Register for this event here.
The event series will close out on Thursday, March 25, with Afrolatinx Voices: Theory, Poetry and Praxis. From 10:00–11:00 a.m., this roundtable will feature artists and scholars Akosua Fadhili AfriKa, Esperanza Cintrón, Amalia Dache and Caridad Souza. Karina Cespedes, assistant professor of philosophy, will moderate the roundtable. Register for this event here.
Santana hopes that attendees of the Voces Latinx events will come away with a greater appreciation for inclusivity in women’s history. “I hope attendees will recognize the rich culture Latin America offers to the world,” she says.
In addition to hosting events for Women’s History Month, Santana joined UCF’s interim chief equity, inclusion and diversity officer, Kent Butler, to talk about women and diversity for his podcast “Matters of Diversity with Dr. B.” Listen to the full episode here.
The Women’s and Gender Studies mission is to provide the best education related to women’s and gender issues through curricular and co-curricular programming on campus and to enhance diversity and support women and their endeavors. Click here to learn more about the program.