On Tuesday, March 8, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) will celebrate International Women’s Day on campus. This is a day of celebration recognized by many countries around the world who encourage accelerating gender parity (this year’s theme) while celebrating the achievements of women.
Organized by Brooke Gilmore, the director of the Deborah L. Coffin Women’s Center, the day will consist of a series of events to celebrate women in the SNHU community and promote the cause of the day. Sponsors and partner organizations involved include Outreach, International Student Association, Student Activists for Gender Equality, History Club, Office of the SNHU President, the Center for Community Engaged Learning, Office of Institutional Advancement, the International Institute of New Hampshire, and the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire. Gilmore hopes that “this event will become an annual celebration of women and women’s issues on a global scale” on SNHU’s campus.
The day will begin at noon with a luncheon on the second floor of the Dining Center. SNHU President Paul LeBlanc will give a brief speech at the commencement of the luncheon. This event will set the stage for the rest of the day and will allow for attendees to mingle and network with the women of SNHU.
Following the luncheon, there will be interactive and educational tables presented mostly by the student organization sponsors. Each table will have a different topic including women in history,
famous international women, how to get involved and support gender parity, photo opportunities and more. Tabling will happen throughout the early afternoon from 1-4 p.m.
There will also be two afternoon sessions in the Hospitality Boardroom from 2-4:30 p.m. In the first session, SNHU students Youssaira Akennad and Rachael Straehle will speak about their experiences volunteering with women in Morocco and Kenya, respectively. The second session will be more interactive. Attendees will make welcome kits for refugee women and children while the director of the International Institute of New Hampshire provides and overview of the organization’s work.
The day will wrap up with a showing of “He Called Me Malala” at 5 p.m. The film is sponsored by the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire. Before the film, a panelist of SNHU international students will share their views about women’s rights and issues around the world. Participation in International Women’s Day is free and open to all, but attendees are invited to bring a donation to help and welcome refugee women and children into the Manchester community. Donation item suggestions include sanitary pads, adult or baby shampoo, diapers, baby formula, toiletries and coloring books with crayons.
Contact the Deborah L. Coffin Women’s Center at womenscenter@snhu.edu with any questions.
