This March, students can celebrate Women’s History Month through many events hosted by the University, student groups and Durham organizations, ranging from symposiums and documentaries to an awards ceremony for the graduating members of the Duke Women’s Center.
Adopting the National Women’s History Alliance theme of “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations,” the Duke's Women's Center published a calendar of events throughout the month for community members to attend.
Lectures and conferences
This year’s Harriet Cook Lecture, “Understanding Health Equity in the Context of 2025,” will take place Monday from noon to 1 p.m. in Pearson Auditorium. The talk will be delivered by Monica McLemore and is sponsored by the Duke School of Nursing.
The Women’s Center will host the Duke Reproductive Justice Conference, which will explore abortion care and access Wednesday. Attendees will hear from the event’s keynote speakers, Danielle Rodriguez, Georgia coordinator with SisterSong, and Katherine Farris, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Penn Pavilion.
For music lovers, the HEEAT Lab organized “The Science of Soul: A Black Women and Family Health Symposium.” Featuring Grammy-nominated artist Raheem DeVaughnhe, the event will explore key issues in Black women’s health March 14 at the School of Nursing at 1:30 p.m.
Continuing with the theme of women’s health, Duke Obstetrics and Gynecology will host its annual Donald T. Moore Lecture on March 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Nasher Museum of Art Lecture Hall. This year’s lecture will feature Haywood Brown, F. Bayard Carter distinguished professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology.
Off campus, the Durham County Library is organizing the Moving Forward Together panel discussion “to empower women now and into the future” at 5:30 p.m. March 24. The event will be moderated by Councilmember Javiera Caballero, and listeners will hear from North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall.
Music and movies
Student a cappella group Deja Blue will host its annual Women’s Month show Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Page Auditorium. The concert will feature six student groups in an evening of song and dance. Rather than paying to attend, concertgoers are asked to donate items to the nonprofit organization Durham Rescue Mission. Attendees can find a list of their most-needed items on the Deja Blue Instagram account.
On March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Bryan Center’s Griffith Film Theater, the Gender Violence Education and Outreach department will present ROLEPLAY, a feature documentary focusing on sexual violence on a college campus that employs a “lyrical lens, blurring the lines between reality and performance.” A Q&A session with the film’s creators will immediately follow the screening.
Another documentary, “Fly With Me,” will be screened at the Durham County Library at 6 p.m. March 26. The film highlights female flight attendants’ role in gender equality advocacy in a previously male-dominated profession during the 20th century.
Workshops and socials
This year’s Women’s History Month will also include social and educational events.
The Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture will host the Heritage & Harmony Tea event at 2 p.m. Tuesday. The event encourages Black femme student networking, with the goal of building a safe, supportive community for these individuals on campus.
Towards the end of the month, the Women’s Center will celebrate its graduating seniors at the ninth annual WomCs Awards, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. March 25 in Penn Pavilion.
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Winston Qian is a Pratt sophomore and health/science editor for the news department.