The month of March is Womxn’s Herstory Month. Throughout March our community will deepen our understanding of women’s contributions to America, honor past women leaders, and amplify voices fighting for equality.
In collaboration with the Gender Studies Program, the Women’s Center for Gender Justice, Urban Male Initiative, the SEEK Department, and the Diversity committee, the College has several events scheduled to celebrate Womxn’s Herstory Month, giving everyone in our community the opportunity to discuss and celebrate women’s issues and achievements. To get in the spirit of the month, we attended the Community Outreach and Service Learning’s International Women’s Day event and spoke with John Jay students about the importance of Womxn’s Herstory Month.
Haya Khan '20
Why is it important to celebrate Womxn's Herstory Month, both for our country and the school?
As a country it's important for us to realize that women have a place within our system. As a criminal justice school, this month is important because we do things that people don't expect us to. John Jay has the Women's Justice Center that does a lot of events. The students do things that appreciate women and all the things they've done for us. We have a female president. Having President Mason as the first female president of John Jay makes you recognize that women can have a place in power and make a change in the world.
“Having President Mason as the first female president of John Jay, makes you recognize that women can have a place in power and make a change in the world.”—Haya Khan ‘20
Jessica Dismey '22
What does Womxn's Herstory Month mean to you?
This month means a lot because you get to hear the stories of women who in the past didn't have the same rights that we do now. They fought for our rights, and though they didn’t accomplish everything they set out to accomplish, they started something. They have given us an example of what to do, and now we can complete the work that they began.
Lucas Carvalho '20
What does Womxn's Herstory Month mean to you?
I think it's important to celebrate women and all their achievements. It's important to recognize all the progress that has been made and the future achievements that we have to conquer. It's important to acknowledge the struggle and the plight that women had in our country. To see where we have come in the last 100 years is remarkable, and I hope that we can get to a point of equal justice for both genders as well as for those who don't identify with either gender.
“I hope that we can get to a point of equal justice for both genders as well as for those who don't identify with either gender.”—Lucas Carvalho ‘20
Jennice Chance '20
What does Womxn's Herstory Month mean to you?
Womxn's Herstory Month means a lot to me personally. I have a very empowering mother who was a working mom and that provided for us. It means a lot to be able to use this month to know about what women have gone through in order to give me the rights that I have today. It’s a reminder to not take it for granted. My sister is a great example of this. She works in tax accounting, which is a field that dominated by men. It's very inspiring to see her walk out the door every day, do her work and get promoted.
Al Edouard '19
Why is it important to celebrate Womxn's Herstory Month, both for our country and the school?
It is important because women have revolutionized and changed the world, but for decades, actually sadly centuries, they have been suppressed. Right now, in the time that we are living in, it's important to embrace and discuss women's empowerment. Look at what happened in our last midterm. We had the highest number of women in congress. That's only the beginning. I have five sisters and when I have a daughter, she'll see that and be inspired. This should be the norm.
Keiana Green '20
What does Womxn's Herstory Month mean to you?
Womxn's Herstory Month is meant to empower us women. A lot of times, we deal with so much, and to have a month to celebrate our strength and our weaknesses too—because our weaknesses make us strong—is important. This month recognizes us and shows our dignity and how powerful we are as women. There are so many women who have been influential in history. We always hear about Rosa Parks, and it's because of women like her, that I'm actually here today, getting this education and going for my dreams. I want to be a medical examiner, and that's a field filled with men. So many people in history have made it easier for us to get jobs that we could have never gotten as women, like being a doctor, and for me specifically, a medical examiner. Just to be able to do something that's highly populated by men and to say, that I as a woman, am in this field, let's my little sister know that she can do anything too.
“Growing up in an all-female family, there was never an instance where I couldn't do anything because I was a woman, it was more that I could do things, because I'm a woman.”—Donā Slay ‘20
Donā Slay '20
What does Womxn's Herstory Month mean to you?
It's really important that we focus on the achievements that women have contributed not just to the world, but to people in general. Sometimes this can be overshadowed as something that just about anyone can do, and women get left out because they are believed to be just women. One of the best stories comes from Nichelle Nichols, the black lady on Star Trek. She inspired Whoopi Goldberg to be an actress and inspired other women to become astronauts. Even in my family, it was all women. I've taken advantage of the fact that women can do anything, and growing up in an all-female family, there was never an instance where I couldn't do anything because I was a woman, it was more that I could do things, because I'm a woman.
Kelseey Anźures-Licona '19
Why is it important to celebrate Womxn's Herstory Month, both for our country and the school?
It’s important to celebrate Womxn's Herstory Month because we aren’t taught about the women that have accomplished things for this country. We learn about the males like Isaac Newton, but we don't celebrate the women who fought in WWII or those that contributed to the Civil War. These are little things that should be appreciated because they make an impact in our history. Just like the recent house of democrats. This is such a great show on how women make a great impact. We had more females. We had our first Muslim and our first scientist. That just gives more hope for the future for women to make a change.
Queer Lunch: Womxn and Femmes
Tuesday, March 12 at 1:40pm in L2.70.13
Contact: adesince@jjay.cuny.edu
STD Prevention Workshop: Taking Care of Me
Wednesday, March 13 at 1:40pm in L.67NB
Contact: jrobles-morales@jjay.cuny.edu
Birth Control Clinic and Sexual Health Fair
Wednesday, March 13 at 5:15pm in 2.61NB
Contact: jrobles-morales@jjay.cuny.edu
Sistah Circle
Thursday, March 14 at 1:40pm in UMI Lounge, L.74.02NB
Contact: mvidal@jjay.cuny.edu
Health Relationship Workshop
Thursday, March 21 at 1:40pm in L.67.00
Contact: jrobles-morales@jjay.cuny.edu
“We the People: Resisting and Speaking Truth to Power in Uncertain Times” with Rosa Clemente
Thursday, March 21 at 5:00pm in L.61
Contact: egupton@jjay.cuny.edu
Bluestockings Feminist/Radical Bookstore
Friday, March 22 at 3:30pm
Registration required, space limited. Contact crjackson@jjay.cuny.edu
International Day of Trans Visibility
Tuesday, March 26 at 1:40pm in 1.129
Contact: dsilvasantana@jjay.cuny.edu
Hip Hop and Feminism with Dr. Lauren Leigh Kelly
Wednesday, March 27 at 5:00pm in L.61
Contact: egupton@jjay.cuny.edu
Speed Mentoring Event
Thursday, March 28 at 1:40pm in East End Cafeteria
Contact: cwright@jjay.cuny.edu
Doulas Dare to Share Panel
Thursday, March 28 at 1:40pm in 630 Haaren Hall
Contact: ddualeh@jjay.cuny.edu
