March is Women’s History Month, and this year, the Lieben Center for Women is commemorating the occasion by revamping its program in big ways.
Amanda Drapcho, the director of the Lieben Center since August, has taken on the project of developing new ways to get students involved in this year’s Women’s History Month.
“This year, I’ve started a new video marketing campaign called ‘I Support Women’s History Month because. . .’ where we record people holding up a board with their personal responses to the question written on them,” Drapcho said. “We’re also partnering with the Office of Multicultural Affairs, which will really help bring a diverse, fresh breath to
our programs.”
our programs.”
The rekindling of another program, “Women’s Words of Wisdom,” is led by the Lieben Center’s Women’s History Month intern, Ozy Aloziem, and she could not be more excited.
“The initial idea was to do an open mic night,” Aloziem said, “but I then discovered there used to be a Women and Gender Studies Department event called ‘Women’s Words of Wisdom’ that kind of lost its momentum. I thought it would be nice to have that department team up with the Lieben Center to kickstart this month.”
The evening features a hodgepodge of different performances centered on the themes of character, courage and commitment, and must use the written words of women throughout history. As long as those two requisites are met, anyone can participate in the event. “Women’s Words of Wisdom” is set to take place on March 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Skutt Fireplace.
If there is one message that Drapcho wants students to garner from events of Women’s History Month, it is that, “they’re part of a larger movement that has allowed them more freedom and opportunities. Women who came before them allowed them to be where they are today, and I hope they are made aware of what we have to do to continue this process of developing the future generations of women.”
Though Aloziem and Drapcho are ecstatic for Women’s History Month and the revamping of the Lieben Center, the two are hoping these events and new changes aid in the reshaping of the feminist image across Creighton’s campus, especially in the eyes
of men.
of men.
“Because the ratio is largely female, oftentimes both genders think just because there are more females on campus, there isn’t a gender issue, and that we’re working against men,” Aloziem said. “We’re creating an image that we’re not trying to attack the status of men, but equalize it and not make it seem so aggressive and angry, but passionate.”
The staff of the Lieben Center for Women is taking dramatic steps towards reconstructing an idea not easily changed — stigmas of feminism. The best way to keep an open mind and see what this team has in store is to check out the events planned for Women’s History Month
for yourself.
for yourself.
Marianna Miller, retreat coordinator for campus ministry, poses with the reason why she supports Women’s History Month