Celebrated on March 8 every year, International Women’s Day (IWD) honors the social, cultural and political achievements of women throughout time. The day also serves as a rallying cry to fight for equality, bringing groups together across the world to advocate for equal rights.
Eastern Oregon University students have the opportunity to participate in a series of events from March 4 to March 8 to commemorate IWD and acquire new knowledge and skills.
The theme of March 4 is “Empowerment and Advocacy.” The day will start with a presentation in Badgley Hall from 11-11:50 a.m, featuring local resources for dating or sexual violence. Moving to Loso Hall 230 from 2-3 p.m., students will learn self-advocacy skills that can help build their confidence. The day will be finished with a virtual discussion via Zoom from 3:30-4:15 p.m. about budgeting and credit.
March 5, which is all about “EO-YOU,” will start in the EOU Library with a presentation on stress management from 9-10 a.m. Following that, there will be a presentation in Badgley Hall 148 from 11-11:50 a.m. on understanding the Financial Aid dashboard. After lunch, there will be a gender inclusivity training in Zabel 202 from 1-2:30 p.m. To finish off the day, stop by the Learning Center from 4:30-5 p.m. to learn more about the resources available at the Learning Center!
Focusing on accessibility, equity and inclusion, March 7 will begin with a Zoom presentation from 11-11:50 a.m. on “ways to embody a new way of living that is inclusive, equitable, and thriving!” The second and final presentation of the day will take place via Zoom from 3-4 p.m. and will teach students about intersectionality and how it affects access to reproductive healthcare in Eastern Oregon.
Concluding the week, March 8 will focus on inspiring inclusion, the official theme of IWD 2024! The day will start with a brunch in Hoke 339 from 8:30-10:30 a.m., complete with free IWD swag and a drawing to win a gift card to the Liberty Cafe, a local woman-owned business. The last event of the day will be an interactive session in Zabel 110 from 1:30-2:30 p.m., exploring how to find common ground and amplify underrepresented voices.
Students who would like to join any of the IWD activities can sign up at https://forms.gle/VPko7bhhDsgvA6my6.
The IWD events are sponsored by the Soroptimists of La Grande Oregon, Title IX, the Learning Center and DEIB, in partnership with Shelter From the Storm and Planned Parenthood.
