ISU Bengal

Issue date: 3/2/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Lavanya Vasudevan

Media Credit: Lavanya Vasudevan

Media Credit: Lavanya Vasudevan In a tribute called "Eight Misbehaving Women" Melissa Borders Stevens performed as (from above down) Eleanor Roosevelt, Eva Paron, and Amelia Airhart.

As business managers, engineers and other professional achievers, American women have boldly created a new identity for themselves. In celebrating Women's History Month, ISU is recognizing this undeniable truth. During the month of February 10 - March 10, there will be a myriad of events and activities held to pay homage to this rising societal gender.

"It's important to draw attention to significant contributions by women in history," said Rebecca Morrow, director of the Janet C. Anderson Gender Resource Center.

Morrow says much of the purpose behind honoring women this month is to ultimately place women's history along side other commonly studied historical genres.

"We hope that eventually women's history will be taught along side the rest of history," Morrow said. "We want to integrate the history of women into normal history curriculum."

Events vary from lively and fun, such as the Scrapbook and Journal Fair which was held February 26, to the significant and informative, including the Elisa Dinner to be held on March 3. The Elisa Project is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 by Rick and Leslie McCall. Their daughter Elisa, a college student, lost her life in a struggle with an eating disorder. The dinner will be one of a series of events the group is spearheading to spread awareness during National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

Speaking at the dinner will be Dr. Paula Seikel of Counseling and Testing at ISU. She will give background on eating disorders, and attendees will have an opportunity to reflect on how eating disorders and body image affect each of their lives. A healthy pasta dinner will follow Dr. Seikel's discussion. The dinner will be held at the ISU Alumni House at 6pm on March 3.

The following night will showcase a keynote speaker - filmmaker Lourdes Portillo- as well as a screening of her recent groundbreaking film, Senorita Extraviada. The event will be held at the PSUB Ballroom on March 4 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $3 and are available at the Janet C. Anderson Gender Resource Center.

Senorita Extraviada, Missing Young Woman is a documentary on the frequent kidnappings, rapes, and murders that continue to claim the lives of young women in Juarez, Mexico. Portillo is a widely popular filmmaker whose films, such as The Mothers of Plaza De Mayo and The Devil Never Sleeps, have won her countless awards and nominations.

These two important events are but a small fraction of the happenings taking place this month for Women's History Month. With so many valuable opportunities to get out and honor women, there's no excuse not to.

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