Ball State’s Department of Women’s and Gender Studies will host its annual Women’s Week March 22-26, 2021. The theme for this year is “What’s next?: moving forward after a year of political transformation, increased calls for social and racial justice, and an uncontrolled pandemic.”
Betsy Kiel, graduate assistant in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, said via email Women’s Week this year will focus on challenges faced on campus and around the world, and hopefully inspire students to take action.
“We're hoping that students will leave Women's Week events feeling empowered to look forward and consider their role in whatever activism they are passionate about,” Kiel said.
Some events will be hosted via Zoom and a few outreach events will be in person.
According to a flyer from the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, the events scheduled to be held are as follows:
March 22
Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) Informational Tabling
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Atrium
Members of the Women’s and Gender Studies program will offer information about classes in the department, as well as free stickers, buttons, posters and pens.
Let’s Talk: “Anti-racism on campus and in America”
3 p.m., Zoom
The Student Government Association and Student Anti-racism and Intersectionality Advisory Council will co-host a dialogue about anti-racism. Each Let’s Talk event, Kiel said, will include moderators who are tailored to the subject matter being discussed.
YWomen L.E.A.D. Panel (Leadership. Education. Activism. Development.)
6 p.m., Zoom
This panel is presented by the YWCA of Central Indiana. Because the Zoom conference is hosted by an organization outside Ball State University, Kiel said members of the panel haven’t been confirmed. The presentation and discussion will focus on the importance of women in leadership roles.
March 23
WGS Information Tabling
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Student Center Tally
Let’s Talk: “Feminism in Movies and Television”
2 p.m., Zoom
The Department of Women’s and Gender Studies will host a dialogue about feminism in pop culture movies and television. Kiel said each Let’s Talk event is meant to inspire discussion among attendees.
Work Smart: Salary Negotiations with Rachel Roberts
6 p.m., Zoom
Rachel Roberts, associate professor of music leadership at Eastman School of Music in the University of Rochester, will discuss how to research target salaries and find better ways to negotiate improved pay and benefits.
This presentation is sponosored by Ball State’s School of Music and the Office of Inclusive Excellence.
Regsiter in advance for this webinar.
March 24
WGS Information Tabling
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Student Center Tally
Mother’s Receipt of Kin Support from In-Laws
12 p.m., Zoom
This presentation by Ellen Whitehead, assistant professor of sociology, and Taryn Wield, graduate assistant in the sociology master’s program, focuses on financial assistance mothers sometimes receive from the families of their children’s father.
From national data, Whitehead said she found mothers who reported a romantic relationship with their children’s father were more likely to get financial assistance from the father’s parents.
After watching the presentation, Whitehead said she hopes people will realize how mothers “make ends meet” in financial support for their children.
“This is especially important when thinking about single mothers, who have some of the highest rates of poverty across different household structures in the United States,” she said via email. “Our findings reveal that single mothers who do not receive childcare support also have reduced access to this other type of support, with implications for the economic stability of these families.”
Let’s Talk: “Classroom Mindfulness, Burnout, and Mental Health During COVID-19”
2 p.m., Zoom
This presentation co-sponsored by the Counseling Center is moderated by Women’s and Gender Studies faculty members Julee Rosser and Jen Smith. They will discuss coping skills and de-stressing techniques to use during the pandemic.
WGS 449 Capstone Poster Session
6 p.m., Zoom
This presentation is hosted by students in the WGS 449 spring 2021 class. Kiel said the capstone project presentations are an annual event part of Women’s Week. She said students completing a major or minor in Women’s and Gender Studies create presentations about how feminism relates to their future careers.
March 25
WGS Information Tabling
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Atrium
Let’s Talk: “Remembering Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Where Activism Goes From Here”
2 p.m., Zoom
Faculty members from Women’s and Gender Studies Courtney Jarrett and Rachel Smith will discuss the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and how activism has and will move forward after her death.
Women of Song concert
7:30 p.m., School of Music Livestream
The Women of Song concert is an annual event of Women’s Week hosted by Ball State’s School of Music. The women’s chorus will perform four songs.
The program and link to the concert livestream can be found here.
March 26
Feminist Friday Trivia Night
7 p.m., Zoom
The Department of Women’s and Gender Studies will host Zoom trivia about the Feminist Movement.
For more information about Women’s Week events, visit the Women’s and Gender Studies events Facebook page.
Kiel said she is excited for the Let’s Talk series, a new feature of Women’s Week this year. She hopes events inspire activism within students.
“Women's Week isn't just about women or gender, it's about feminism and an intense need for young people to see what they think needs fixed, and go after it,” Kiel said. “[That could be] issues related to racial justice, mental health awareness, climate change or gender equity.”
Betsy Kiel, Photo Provided
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