By Jonah Grinkewitz

Throughout March, Old Dominion University will celebrate Women’s History Month with events focused on telling “HERstory.” The theme, spearheaded by ODU’s Women & Gender Equity Center, will be incorporated into programming that includes a brunch to celebrate mothers and caregivers, an open mic night to voice women’s stories through song and poetry, and a panel discussion on the facts, myths and dangers of human trafficking. 

To kick off the month on March 1, ODU’s Zeta Phi Beta sorority chapter and the Women & Gender Equity Center will host “I Am Knot My Hair” from 7:20 to 9:20 p.m. in Constant Hall 1002. The event will underscore the stereotyping of women’s hair in the corporate world – a challenge predominately faced by women of color – and share ways to combat negative narratives in society. 

On March 21, the Women & Gender Equity Center will gather essential items for caregivers in 1103 Monarch Hall from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Then, on March 22, the center will host a brunch from noon to 2 p.m. in the Chesapeake/Portsmouth/Virginia Beach Room in Webb Center honoring mothers and caregivers and featuring live music, poetry and discussion on gender equity. RSVP here to attend.

Also on March 22, Marvel Comics’ Gabby Rivera will give a talk in the North Cafeteria in Webb Center at 6:30 p.m. about her experience as a queer Latinx artist. Rivera, who wrote the “America” comic book series centered on a queer Latin-American superhero named America Chavez, will share the importance of prioritizing joy in queer and trans people of color communities. The event is a collaboration between the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Arts & Letters, Gay Cultural Studies and the Women & Gender Equity Center. RSVP here. 

On March 29, the Women & Gender Equity Center will host a panel discussion titled “Human Trafficking: A Domestic and Global Phenomenon,” from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Newport News Room in Webb Center. The panel will feature community experts, a global justice advocate and a survivor of human trafficking. RSVP here.

Other events include: 

  • March 2, International Women’s Day: Match Make Her Celebration, 12:30 p.m., Mane Webb Front Desk. The Women & Gender Equity Center will host games on women’s history with prizes and “Women’s HERstory Month” shirts. 
  • March 14, Heal and Hang: Spring into New Beginnings, 12:30 p.m., Mane Webb Front Desk. The Women & Gender Equity Center will provide supplies for making self-care boxes and share tips and ideas for practicing self-care. 
  • March 14, W.A.P. (Women Are Powerful) Ladies Night, 5 p.m., Owens Residence Hall. In collaboration with Health Promotions, the Women & Gender Equity Center presents a night filled with mocktails, desserts, food and activities. Guests are invited to wear pajamas and join in making face masks, lip scrubs, vision boards and jewelry and celebrate being a woman. RSVP here. 
  • March 15, HERstory Told by US, 6 p.m., River Rooms in Webb Center. The Women & Gender Equity Center and ODU Athletics will host a paint night led by Pinot’s Palette Studio. 
  • March 16, I’m Every Woman: Embracing Women’s Stories Around the Globe, 2 p.m., James/Lynnhaven/York Rooms in Webb Center. Panel discussion featuring ODU students from around the world. Food and drinks will be provided. Presented by the Women & Gender Equity Center and the Office of Intercultural Relations. RSVP here. 
  • March 16, Crown Act: Story Tell(Her): Her Voice, Her Narrative, Her Vision, 5:30 p.m., Goode Theatre. Honor and celebrate the beauty of Blackness and the many creative ways Black hair can be styled to express pride in one’s identity and culture. Photos will be featured in the Crown Act Exhibit during the “Story Tell(Her) Her Voice, Her Narrative, Her Vision” summit in partnership with Norfolk State University opening March 16. Presented by the Women & Gender Equity Center. RSVP here. 
  • March 17, Closing night of Crown Act: Story Tell(Her): Her Voice, Her Narrative, Her Vision, 6 p.m., Goode Theatre. Celebration with hors d'oeuvres to close out this special event. 
  • March 23, Know Your Worth: Add Tax, 12:30 p.m., Williamsburg Room in Webb Center. Career Development Services and the Women & Gender Equity Center will host an event to share tips on how to negotiate a salary. 
  • March 23, “More Than Organs: Poetry at the Intersections with Kay Ulanday Barrett,” 5 p.m., Cape Charles/Isle of Wight Room in Webb Center. Kay Ulanday Barrett, an award-winning poet, essayist and cultural strategist, will lead an interdisciplinary poetry and lecture performance/keynote on perspectives that center on QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) as living archive and cultural resistance. Food and drinks will be provided. RSVP here. 
  • March 28, Songs, Stories and Soul: Open Mic Night, 6:30 p.m., Chesapeake Room in Webb Center. Focused on sharing women’s voices, but open to all, poetry, spoken word, singing, dance and any other form of expression are encouraged. Food and drinks provided. Hosted by the Women & Gender Equity Center. RSVP here. 
  • March 30, Women’s Comedy Show, 7 p.m., North Cafeteria in Webb Center. SET’s Women Comedy show featuring specialty mocktails and light refreshments. RSVP here. 
  • March 31, Transgender Day of Visibility, noon to 5 p.m., Southeastern Transgender Resource Center (STRC), 3519 Colley Ave., Norfolk, Virginia, 23508.