Millikin to celebrate Women's History Month with series of events

Celebrating Women's contributions to culture, history and society

Millikin University's Office of Campus Life will celebrate Women's History Month throughout the month of March with a variety of events and keynote speakers. Millikin's celebration will not only honor women empowerment, but also reflect on the contributions women have made and continue to make.

All month, Millikin University is highlighting the critical role of women in all aspects of society as well as commemorating the observance and celebration of the important role women have played throughout history.

Women's History Month is recognized around the country to highlight the many contributions of women throughout the history of society. Women's History Month grew out of a week-long celebration of women's contributions to culture, history and society organized by the school district of Sonoma, Calif., in 1978. A few years later, the idea had caught on within communities, school districts and organizations across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women's History Week. The U.S. Congress followed suit the next year, passing a resolution establishing a national celebration. Six years later, the National Women's History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the event to the entire month of March.

For more information about Millikin University's Women's History Month 2022 celebration, visit millikin.edu/womens-history-month.

Women's History Month 2022 Schedule of Events

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Self Defense Course taught by Michael Karas

4 – 6 p.m.

Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Rooms, 3rd floor of the University Commons on Millikin's campus

Saturday, March 5, 2022

Girlboss: Women's Panel and Small Business Shopping

Presented by the Kappa Zeta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

12 noon – 4 p.m.

Collaboration Rooms (1st floor of the University Commons), and Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Rooms (3rd floor of the University Commons) on Millikin University's campus

This event will feature five women entrepreneurs participating in a panel discussion to offer their advice and expertise about their chosen field. Guest speaker Dr. Michael Osei, assistant professor of financial economics at Millikin University, will also answer questions about becoming a successful entrepreneur.

For the second half of the event, participants will be invited to the 3rd floor banquet rooms of the University Commons where Millikin entrepreneurs will be showcasing their products for attendees to view or buy at their leisure. Some of the products include waist beads and anklets, tablecloths, clothes, self-defense key chains and a clothing company featuring their own customized brand.

The event will also feature keynote speaker Nicki Bond, owner and chief executive officer of Life Strategist Consulting Group LLC, who will speak from 12 noon – 1:30 p.m. Life Strategist Consulting Group LLC, is a full-service consulting and learning and organizational development firm offering professional development training, workshops, program development and consulting services.

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

International Women's Day Table hosted by the International Student Organization

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

1st floor lobby of the University Commons on Millikin University's campus

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Keynote Virtual Speaker: Nadia Villafuerte

6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Born in Chiapas, Mexico, author Nadia Villafuerte has traveled across continents to share her research and vision with a wide range of audiences.

In her three solo-authored books, "Barcos en Houston" (Ships in Houston), "Te gusta el latex, cielo?" (Do you like latex, Honey?) and "Por el lado salvaje" (On the wild side), Villafuerte has used her personal and academic knowledge of Mexico's lesser-discussed southern border to frame her stories. From a young age, Villafuerte found writing and storytelling as ways to express the complex and troubling things she witnessed in her home country.

Villafuerte's work has been included in the anthologies Mexico 20, New Voices, Old Traditions (Pushkin Press, 2015) and Palabras mayores, nueva narrativa mexicana (Malpaso Ediciones, 2015), among others. Her essay "Casas" was originally published in the Revista de la Universidad de Mexico 119 (Jan. 2014). She earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in Spanish from New York University in May 2017.

Saturday, March 26, 2022

Women in Business Conference hosted by Women in Business

9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Virtual and in the Oberhelman Center for Leadership Performance, 1st floor of the University Commons on Millikin University's campus

For questions or more information about Millikin University's Women's History Month celebration, please contact the Millikin Office of Campus Life at 217.424.6395 or email campuslife@millikin.edu.