For the past 35 years, Women’s History Month has been designated as time to celebrate women and their achievements in all aspects of life. In the Hampton Roads area, there are plenty of events being hosted that people can get involved in.
Between March 1 and March 31, Zieder’s American Dream Theater will be hosting “She’s A Brickhouse: A Month Long Celebration of Women’s History Month.” These events will be free and open to the public and will include a variety of exhibits ranging from art, discussion panels and stories. Some of the productions include brand new plays and shows, such as a new musical excerpt about Francis Perkins, the woman behind FDR’s New Deal, and “Broken Dolls”, a piece about the lives of women experiencing human trafficking. People can also tune into a podcast called “It Happened One Night: A Feminism Frozen A-ha Moment” created by Sibel Galindez, The Z’s community liaison. More information and registration details can be found on Zieder’s American Dream Theater’s website.
Expanding a little further than just the Virginia Beach area, a discussion about the challenges women face in the film industry will be held in Newport News. Executive director of Women in Film and Video Melissa Houghton will be available to chat and answer questions. This event is scheduled to be held on Thursday March 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is free for members of the Virginia Production Alliance and $5 for nonmembers. More information can be found on their website.
The following day on Friday, March 20, Joint Base Langley-Eustis’ Women’s History Month Committee is hosting a poetry night to honor women of the past and present. The event will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and held at Bar Louie, 3530 Von Schilling Drive, Hampton. On Tuesday, March 24 at noon, Norfolk Public Library and Norfolk State University will host a talk with Charlene Butts Ligon, author of “Fearless: How a poor Virginia seamstress took on Jim Crow, beat the poll tax and changed her city forever.” The event will be held at NSU’s Lyman Beecher Brooks Library Rotunda at 700 Park Ave., Norfolk.
Bringing it closer to home, Virginia Wesleyan University and Wesleyan Engaged office will also be hosting all sorts of different talks, panels and discussions centering around Women’s History Month. Regardless of where you are, be sure to celebrate and appreciate all the women in your life.
By Faith Macwana
fpmacwana@vwu.edu
