Olin commemorates Women’s History Month and National Deaf History Month

Last month the IDEA team launched a new initiative to celebrate our diverse community through monthly cultural observances. We continue this initiative in March through recognition of Women’s History Month and National Deaf History Month.  

Women’s History Month 

Celebrated since 1987, March is Women’s History Month, which commemorates the contributions of all women to US history. The National Women’s History Alliance designates a yearly theme for Women’s History Month. This year’s theme is “Women Providing Healing and Promoting Hope,” which seeks to honor the tireless efforts of frontline workers during the pandemic. Many Women’s History Month statements and celebrations are also honoring Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in recognition of her historic nomination to the US Supreme Court.   

International Women’s Day 

Since 1911, March 8 has been designated as International Women’s Day in celebration of women’s global impact on economic, political, cultural and social life. Many countries worldwide celebrate the holiday with demonstrations, educational initiatives and local customs. 

You can participate in these cultural observances by taking part in the following campus and community events:  

• Leadership Perspectives Series: She Suite, March 8, noon CT
• WashU Women Entrepreneurs Confections & Connections Event, March 8, 4 p.m., Skandalaris Center.
• Missouri History Museum: Three Women: The Treacherous, the Bold, and the Brilliant, March 22, 11 a.m. CT and She Votes with Bridget Quinn, March 24, 6:30 p.m. CT 
• St. Louis Art Museum:  If It Wasn’t for the Women: Hair Sculpting a Culture, March 10, 7 p.m. CT  
• Annual WashU Day of Dialogue and Action, March 29, 30 
• Out Women in Business Conference, March 25, 2022

National Deaf History Month

The National Association of the Deaf introduced National Deaf History Month in 1997 commemorated annually from March 13–April 15 in recognition of the deaf and hard of hearing community. National Deaf History Month was celebrated during this time because it aligned with three historic events. First, on April 15, 1817, the American School for the Deaf was opened. Second, on April 8, 1864, Gallaudet University, the first university for the deaf, was founded. Third, on March 13, 1988, I. King Jordan became the first deaf president of Gallaudet University. 

Recently, the Board of the National Association of the Deaf chose to shift National Deaf History Month to April 1–30 to offer a more inclusive celebration that broadly recognizes deaf history and all members of the deaf and hard of hearing community.   

Olin staff, faculty, students and alumni can learn more through our micro-learning journeys from Blue Ocean Brain housed in the learn.WashU platform (accessible with your WUSTL key). Each micro-learning journey takes 10 minutes or less, and the new journeys available this month include:

• Celebrating Women’s History Month 
• Women @ Work 
• The Language of Disability 
• Awareness in Action: The Ability Factor 

We hope you get involved through attending events, learning something new and continuing the conversation.

PICTURED AT TOP: A scene from WashU Olin’s celebration of International Women’s Day in 2018 with our She Suite event. The 2022 edition of the She Suite event is March 8, at noon.