The Women and Gender Resource Center recognizes several heritage or history months throughout the year. Joining with other departments and organizations on campus at a time recognized nationally as a heritage or history month helps us to ensure that these celebrations and stories are present on our campus.
To see what the WGRC has planned for upcoming heritage or history months, visit our Calendar of Events.
Recognized from September 15- October 15 in recognition of the independence days of five countries, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationally, including on our own campus and at the WGRC.
In 2023, the WGRC offered a Game Night event in collaboration with University Programs and the UA Hispanic Latino Association. Additionally, we offered a Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month Panel to discuss the life and legacy of labor organizer Dolores Huerta. We also offered a volunteer event with the Tuscaloosa Public Library in which volunteers read inclusive, bilingual stories to children.
In past years, we often film screenings or panel discussions addressing relevant topics. In 2018, we hosted a screening and discussion of the film, In the Game in partnership with The College of Education. The film is available in the Frances S. Summersell library for continued viewing.
If you are unable to attend our Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month events, but you’d still like to be part of our celebration, consider donating a relevant book to The Frances S. Summersell Library.
Each November, Native American Heritage Month is recognized nationally, on our campus, and at the WGRC.
In 2020, the WGRC launched our first Native American Heritage Month Scavenger Hunt and co-hosted a cooking demonstration with Chef GrayHawk Perkins. Additionally, we developed a scavenger hunt with educational “missions” that students could participate over the course of the month at their leisure.
Past activities have included film screenings, book discussions, and day trips to important historical sites. Most recently we hosted Native American author, poet, and educator, Dr. Denise K. Lajimodiere. She came to discuss her book Stringing Rosaries: The History, the Unforgivable, and the Healing of Northern Plains American Indian Boarding School Survivors. Dr. Lajimodiere’s work focuses on educating people on the atrocity of so-called “Boarding Schools” that existed across the United States and harmed generations of Native Americans. Stringing Rosaries is still available in the Frances S. Summersell Library at the WGRC.
If you are unable to take part in the Center’s programming for Native American Heritage Month, you can still take part in our efforts by donating a book to the Frances S. Summersell Library.
The month of February provides an opportunity to celebrate Black History in a formal way.
In 2024, the WGRC hosted Redefining Strong: Black Women’s Mental Health, to address the disparities that black women face regarding their mental health and getting support.
Programs hosted in past years include the African American Read-In, African American Heritage Month Trivia Nights, a panel on Black Feminism, and more.
If you are unable to participate in WGRC Black History Month activities, you can still be involved in the Center’s efforts by donating a related book to the Frances S. Summersell Library.
Recognized in March, Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to recognize the contributions of women in history and today.
Due to Covid-19, our Women’s History Month events for 2020 were unfortunately cut short. However, we were able to offer a few exciting programs and are looking forward to excellent programming in March of 2021.
In 2020, we were able to host one event to celebrate Women’s History Month: Crafting Feminist Futures. We invited staff, students, and faculty to join us in the Ferguson Great Hall for a morning of arts and crafts centered on celebrating feminism and women’s achievements throughout history. We had multiple tables set up with different types of crafts. Students could decorate mugs, make feminist merit badges, friendship-style bracelets, and even paint on small canvases. Feminist literature was on each table for students to read and take with them, such as The Combahee River Collective Statement. Snacks were also provided.
For International Women’s Day in March we hosted a Lunch and Learn, featuring staff, faculty, and students from across the globe in the Ferguson Forum. We discussed different representations of womanhood, how patriarchy is global, and celebrated the uniqueness of everyone’s cultural upbringing.
If you are unable to participate in our Women’s History Month programming, you can still contribute to our efforts by donating a book to the Frances S. Summersell Library!
Celebrated in May, Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month recognizes the history, experiences, and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.
In 2024, the WGRC hosted a Chinese Calligraphy Workshop featuring a UA faculty member from the Department of Art. We also tabled at the Asian Cultural Heritage Celebration sponsored by the Asian Faculty and Staff Association.
In 2020, the WGRC hosted a panel of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American students, staff, and faculty who spoke about their experiences growing up in their different communities and here on campus.
