Women’s history month still unfamiliar to students

Few may know that National Women’s History Month is celebrated in March. A number of students around campus were clueless to the celebration, and the few that did know about it credited the VCU activities calendar.

“I didn’t know there was one,” said Chris Riccobono, a freshman mechanical engineer major, referring to the celebration.

Riccobono said National Women’s History Month should receive promotion like Black History Month.

Yolanda Cox, a pre-med sophomore at the university said, “It’s sad that you don’t see a lot about it. It’s sad it’s looked over.”

Shonda Easley, a freshman and criminal justice major said, “It should be known.” Easley went on to explain that “women did more than give birth,” and that there should be a better focus on women’s issues this month.

In 1980 President Jimmy Carter issued a Presidential Proclamation asking Americans to celebrate the contributions of women. Congress and the president in 1987 declared March as National Women’s History Month.

This March marks the 25th anniversary of the women’s history movement. This year’s theme, “Women Change America,” focuses on women’s roles in changing culture, history and politics.

This year also marks the 85th anniversary of women winning the right to vote in America.

With all that history and national coverage, some students were still unaware of National Women’s History Month.

James Williams, a senior business administration major, said he knew about the celebration because of the VCU activities calendar. The holiday, he said, needed more recognition and exposure.

Williams, pointing to women’s contributions and their adaptation to heads of the household, said even today women continue to excel and gain more power and equality. He gave the example of Hilary Clinton in politics, saying, “women are not letting men stop them.”

Deshonda Overby, a sophomore mass communications major, agreed that women’s roles have changed throughout history. She said Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is an example of how powerful women have become.

Raphaella Teschner, a sophomore and psychology major said she knew about National Women’s History month because her professor mentioned it and because of the academic calendar.

“You don’t really see it,” said Teschner. “If I hadn’t read it on the VCU calendar, I wouldn’t have known.”

Teschner thought there should be a bigger awareness, especially in the public education system.

“They are what instill ideas, virtues, and values into people,” she said.

She explained the importance of women in American society, saying one of their most important contributions is their ability to be more than caregivers. Women are “very flexible,” she added.

Lonell Prince, a senior studying broadcast journalism, said if National Women’s History Month got more exposure it would also get more appreciation.

“If you create a voice, people will listen,” Prince said.

Jesse Kirk, a freshman business major, said he didn’t think National Women’s History Month is that important.

“I like women, but I don’t know if they deserve an entire month,” he said.

Kirk also said that the biggest contribution women have made to America is the Victorias Secret fashion show.

Even as the end of the month nears, it is never too late to learn, psychology major Teschner said.

“As long as we keep on teaching, making people more aware it will get recognized.”