USU Celebrates Women's History Month 2023

LOGAN, Utah — Throughout the month of March, Utah State University will observe Women’s History Month and Gender Equality Month with special events that celebrate women’s voices and honor their achievements.

The theme for Women’s History Month 2023 is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” USU invites all to join in honoring the contributions of women both now and throughout history and to tell the unique and powerful stories of the incredible women at USU.

“Women's History Month is a celebration and time of intentional recognition of all women's achievements and historical significance,” said Sarah Timmerman, program coordinator at USU’s Inclusion Center. “Since many of the achievements women are responsible for are underrepresented and undervalued in our history books and literature, it is imperative to call attention to what women have done and can still do to change our world. This is a moment to uplift the voices, lives and experiences of every person who gender-identifies as a woman.”

Utah State University has a rich women's history and has many campus centers and programs designed to advocate and support women, providing opportunities for learning and inclusion.

At USU’s Inclusion Center, students can find many programs, events and clubs that embrace, support, and advocate for every member of the Aggie family. These include the Women and Gender program, which advocates for gender equity on campus and in the community. There is also the Gender and Sexuality (LGBT+ & Allies) program, which provides education and awareness, facilitates community engagement, and fosters empowerment of and support to LGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff.

USU’s Center for Intersectional Gender Studies and Research builds on the long and successful history of women and gender programs at USU. The center provides pathways that bring women and members of other historically marginalized groups into full and equal participation in the humanities and sciences. The center aims to support intersectional and interdisciplinary research, provide instruction to students, and foster a climate that promotes equality and inclusion for all students, faculty and staff across USU’s campuses.

USU also has several student clubs that promote gender equity and inclusion, including the Women's Gender Issues Society, as well as the Triota Honor Society and the Queer Student Association. Students, faculty and staff can also receive Allies on Campus training on how to be an ally for LGBTQIA+ people.

Throughout Women’s History and Gender Equality Month, USU will host events across campus, many of which will highlight the stories of Women’s History, both locally and nationally. For a list of events and for details, visit https://www.usu.edu/dei/women-gender-month.

“Join us this month as we honor the contributions of women both now and throughout history and tell the unique and powerful stories of the incredible women here at USU,” Timmerman said. “Recognizing the achievements of women can have a huge impact on the development and confidence of girls and young women.

As a part of the larger conversation, USU will look to especially highlight historical women of color and transgender women. In the last 30 years, there has been a concerted effort to recognize that women’s history is intersectional and that Women’s History Month should include and recognize the achievements and struggles of all women, including women of color and transgender women.

“Many of the achievements women are responsible for are underrepresented and undervalued in our history books and literature, and this is especially apparent when we look at the disadvantages and erasure face by women of color, undocumented women, women with disabilities, women with children, queer and transwomen, and women who live at the intersections of multiple identities,” Timmerman said. “As we celebrate this month, an intersectional lens is essential for meaningfully recognizing and honoring all women and their contributions throughout history. As feminist icon and self-described ‘black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,’ Audre Lorde said: ‘I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.’”

Women’s History Month traces its roots to the United Nations, which celebrated its first official International Women’s Day on March 8, 1975, coinciding with its designation of 1975 as International Women’s Year in an effort to highlight the persistent problem of discrimination against women throughout the world.

Because of the successful campaigning of several women’s organizations, including what is now the National Women’s History Alliance, President Jimmy Carter declared an official presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration, designating the entire month of March as Women’s History Month.