Women’s History Month takes on new motto at U of M

With a theme of “We Can Do It!†the University aims to promote historical women of action past and present, who are changing the world in a positive way.

One table in particular hosted an interactive art project for guests to help mold an interpretation of, “Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Sculpture for Strollingâ€, a 1995 sculpture crafted from newspapers.

“I really wanted to make sure that this sculpture was about a broad range of content, feminism sometimes gets dropped into gender issues,†assistant professor of educational research, Susan Nordstrom, said. “But it is about race, racial issues, sexuality, economic issues, environmentalism, and abilities.

All of these things are at work within feminism as we work towards equality.†The artwork is crafted from newspapers and placed onto the spherical sculpture.

Student participants tear out articles related to current feminist issues like race, sex, and body, then soak the articles in water and add them as additions to the sculpture.

“There are still so many things that we have to deal with,†Nordstrom said. “I kept thinking that things would be so much better. But I still have to deal with sexism and worrying about whether I am doing feminist work, and how the academy and my peers will accept that. I think that every generation is always working for the betterment of the next generation.â€

In 1987, Congress proclaimed March as Women’s History Month. The month focuses on the celebration of women as a whole, by reflecting on those that have shaped the historical path and to those who are working to create a better future.

“I hope that they (students) get an awareness of how feminist issues are covered in the media and what feminist issues are,†Nordstrom said.

The articles will be added onto the sculpture every Wednesday from noon to around 1:30 p.m. At the end of Women’s History Month, the sculpture will be placed in the Library followed by a closing ceremony on April 1.

Phoebe Bauer, is the only student involved in the planning of Women’s History Month. She represents the the student chair, and serves on the executive board with other U of M staff members.

The Feminist Fair for Women’s history month drew in a large crowd at the University Center Atrium on Monday. Students tried to recreate Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Sculpture for Strolling by attaching newspaper articles about feminism to the sculpture.

“We are just trying to promote for the calendar that is online,†Bauer said. “My job is to bridge the gap between students and RSO’s in Women’s History Month, and to up the attendance and up the excitement about it.â€

Not only is the creation of the sculpture happening throughout the month of March, but there are also plenty of other events going on. There’s a “Create a New You: Nutrition for Women†event on March 15, from 10 to 11 a.m, and a discussion on March 21 titled, “Paving the Way: Sorority Women†from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the UC River Room.

Women’s History Month asks participants to honor women who have inspired, changed, and motivated them within their lives. Those who are submitted will be invited to a Women’s History Month closing ceremony, where they will be honored.