To commemorate National Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, two events focusing on women around the world are planned for March 6.
“The Neighborhood Storyteller” screening, 4 p.m. March 6, 1414 Cathedral of Learning
The Communication Department, Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, is hosting a screening of the documentary “The Neighborhood Storyteller,” with discussion to follow. The movie tells the story of Asmaa, who after being forced out of her home country of Syria by war, rebuilt her new identity as the neighborhood storyteller at the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan. She used reading aloud to empower teenager girls to turn hardships into an opportunity for self-growth. It is a story of courage, human resilience, and transition from girl to womanhood. The documentary is directed by Alejandra Alcala and has won numerous awards at international film festivals. RSVP here to this event.
Difficult Dialogues: Naming State Violence Against Women in Different Contexts, 5-6:30 p.m. March 6, 1502 Posvar Hall
This interdisciplinary roundtable panel will discuss the subject of women and state violence, which is multifaceted, encompassing issues related to gender-based violence, discrimination, and the impact of state actions on women. The speakers will look at women’s lived experiences in the face of state violence in different geographical and historical contexts. They will highlight the voices of women from marginalized and minoritized groups including Muslim women, Black women in the U.S., and women from indigenous communities in South America. The speakers’ experiences reflect this year’s National Women’s History Month theme, “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” This will include Jennifer Ponce Cori (Pitt, School of Education), Naima Mohammadi (Pitt, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program), Jasmine Green (1Hood Media) and Fayezeh Haji Hassan (associate at Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney. Moderated by Laura Lovett (Pitt, Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies Program and History). RSVPs are appreciated but not required.
Other Women’s History Month events
Women in the Windows Tour, Heinz Memorial Chapel, noon-1 p.m. March 6 and several more dates in March. This year's theme is "Women Who Advocate for Fairness and Inclusion."
Screening of “Rise of Wahine: Champions of Title IX,” 7-9 p.m. March 23, Pitt-Bradford. The film focuses on Donnis Thompson (University of Hawaii’s first women's athletic director), Patsy Mink (first Asian U.S. congresswoman), and Beth McLachlin (team captain of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine volleyball team), as they battle for the rights of young women to play sports following the passage of Title IX in 1972. Following the documentary screening, Julia Morgan, assistant professor of philosophy, will lead a discussion.
Screening of the silent film “The Woman of Tomorrow” (1914, directed by Pyotr Chardynin), Russia’s first feminist film, with live music. 5:30 p.m. March 29, 125 Frick Fine Arts Building.