Mustafa Syed – Staff Writer
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Lyndsay Jackson of the American Association of Woman at UAB holds up a pamphlet at the Woman’s History Month kickoff party (Photo by Stephanie Lockhart).
In 1987, Congress passed “Pub. L. 100-9” which specifically designated the month of March as Women’s History Month. In order to celebrate, UAB’s Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs have organized events around campus to recognize women’s contributions not just for women’s rights, but for rights of people everywhere.
To start off the month, the UAB Student Multicultural Council hosted the Women’s History Month Kick-Off party which took place on March 2 at the Blazer Hall Resident Life Center.
This year’s theme for Women’s History Month is “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives.”
“The Kick-Off party celebrated the theme by tackling the stigma of vaginas in today’s society,” said Anoon Kotian, Multicultural Council Public Relations Affiliate. “We treated this theme as a metaphor and attempted to weave the ‘components’ of women’s lives. One way we tried to accomplish this is by handing out vagina candies and vagina lollipops. We wanted to change the idea of vaginas being looked as ‘mysterious’ or ‘indecent’” said Kotian.
“I had my reservations before walking into the event but was grateful once I did,” said Timia Acklin, a freshman in majoring health care management.
In regards to events like these, Acklin’s advice to any incoming freshman would be to “not to avoid them just because you feel uncomfortable. Go out, and ask professionals about things you know nothing about.”
Several women’s empowerment organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Women’s Rights Coalition at UAB, American Association of University Women at UAB, The 1917 Clinic at UAB and others participated at the Kick-Off party and provided educational information to those in attendance.
“The event taught me to appreciate women for who they are and the inequalities they face daily,” said Gavin Thompson, a freshman in political science.
