UM Celebrates Women's History Month

A symposium, town hall meeting, panel discussions and lectures are among several events scheduled as the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies at the University of Mississippi observes Women’s History Month in March.
The month begins with the 43^rd Porter Fortune Symposium this weekend. Sponsored by the Arch Dalrymple III Department of History, the weekend includes an opening plenary and reception in the Tupelo Room of Barnard Observatory Thursday (Mar. 1) and panel discussions Friday (Mar. 2) and Saturday (Mar. 3) in Bondurant Hall room 204C.
A town hall on the Gender Wage Gap Report will be held Mar. 26 at 4 p.m. in the Overby Center. The 18^th annual Isom Center Student Gender Conference is set for April 4-6. All conference programs will be held in the Tupelo Room of Barnard Observatory.
“Women’s History Month is a useful reminder of how essential women are to culture and society, and how often we overlook their contributions and influence,” said Jamie Harker, director of the Isom Center. “We have a diverse array of programming, focused on women’s history and the role of gender in contemporary debates and events. The month should be illuminating and thought-provoking for our university community.”
Other events scheduled include:

• 6 – Lecture: Dr. Jean Gispen discuses women’s health issues during noon luncheon in Lamar Hall room 323 (registration required);
• 7 – Lecture: Desiree Hensley discusses affordable housing at 6 p.m. in the Burns-Belfry Museum and Multicultural Center;
• 8 – Are You Ready? Dialogue Series: the Evolution of the #metoo Movement and Sexual Harassment, Assault Awareness and Prevention at UM at 6 p.m. in Bryant Hall room 111;
• 20^th – 4^th annual Women’s Empowerment Keynote Address and Awards featuring Tarana Burke (#metoo movement founder) at 6 p.m. in Fulton Chapel;
• 21 – Panel Discussion: Shared Governance is a Feminist Issue at noon in Lamar Hall;
• 22 – Lecture: Elaine Weiss speaks on the suffrage battle at 1:15 p.m. in the Overby Center Auditorium;
• 23 – Sister2Sister Leadership Retreat at 3 p.m. in Lamar Hall (registration required);
• 28 – Lecture: Michael Kniss talks about U.S. GAO report on issues related to contingent faculty at 1 p.m. in Lamar Hall room 323;
• 28 – Panel Discussion: Supporting Women’s Faculty Promotion and Tenure at 4 p.m. in Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence Multipurpose Room;
• 29 – Lecture: Susan Allen discusses the effects of global conflict on women at noon in location to be determined.

“The month really has something for everyone,” Harker said. “Tarana Burke’s keynote address is a great opportunity to hear a national leader. The panels we have on campus about our own community highlight how relevant questions of gender are to the University of Mississippi.
“We want the month’s events to contribute to the broader conversations we have in our community of scholars and learners.”
This year’s calendar is dedicated to Joanne Hawks, last dean of women, founder of the Isom Center and professor of history at UM. She passed in July 1998.
For a complete schedule go to https://sarahisomcenter.org/WHM18.
By Edwin B. Smith