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Women's History Month celebration kicks off at PCC

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March is Women’s History Month and PCC is celebrating it in style.

Campuses all over the district have events for students, staff and the public to enjoy and celebrate the month.

Cascade Campus

At the Cascade Campus, there will be a special talk from 1 to 2 p.m. on March 7 in Terrell Hall 122. The campus is hosting Damali Ayo, who is speaking about her new book, “How to Rent a Negro.” She possesses a unique way with people – using humor and compassion to disarm their defenses and get them ready to learn and commit to change.

Rock Creek

Rock Creek will host Jean D’Arc Kakusu Campbell, who will speak about his book, “Witness to Genocide” on March 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Events Center of Building 9. Originally from the Congo, Jean d’Arc found himself working in Rwanda in 1993 for the International Committee of the Red Cross. He witnessed the genocide that took place in Rwanda between 1993 and 1994 and spent time in the Hotel Rwanda – the 4 star hotel that was depicted in the recent motion picture.

Sylvania Campus

Roslyn Farrington will speak on "Visionary Feminism – Our Hope for the Future" and connect how feminism is for everybody. Farrington is a professor of women’s studies at Portland State University, a former director of the Oregon Commission for Women, and founder of All About Community. She will speak from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center on March 9.

Sylvania is also hosting a teen parent’s day with students from Merlo Station High School, Chemawa Indian School, Portland Public High Schools and Insights Teen Parents Program on Tuesday, March 7. The day long program includes a tour of the school, a special performance by the Illumination Project and speakers and panel presentations on succeeding in school.

The Women’s Resource Center is hosting a series of feminist films every Wednesday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in ST 101 during March. Films include “Born into Brothels,” “Boys Don’t Cry,” “Iron Jawed Angels,” “Monster” and “North Country.”

In recognition of International Women’s Day the Sylvania’s Multicultural Center and Women Resource Center present Laila Huneidi, Ph.D candidate of urban studies at Portland State University. She will present a lecture titled, “Modernization and Its Effect on Arab Muslim Women,” from 2 to 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8 in the Performing Arts Center lobby. Huneidi is a Palestinian woman who currently lectures in International and Women’s Studies at PSU.

“The modes of life brought into being by modernity have swept us away from all traditional types of social order,” she said. “Modernity produces continuous changes. However, the continuities between the traditional and the modern remain vivid, particularly in developing countries, including Arab countries. The emancipation of Arab women still has a long way to go; yet last decade’s progress is evidence of a greater receptivity to Arab women empowerment at the executive levels of governments and state institutions.”

SoutheastCenter

The Southeast Center is hosting a Women’s Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 11. The event includes a Women’s Self-Defense Class, Belly Dancing Workshop, a visit by author Vanessa Timmons who will speak from her book on sexual assault, music, and information booths about women’s daily lives from Girls Inc., Ladies Rock Camp and activists groups. Timmons will also lead a journal writing class where students can explore their inner landscape, learn new journal writing skills and spark creativity. To sign up for the free class or workshop, email shanta.anderson@pcc.edu. Pre-registration is required.

The Women’s Resource Center at Southeast Campus would like to honor women who have made a significant contribution to improve the lives of other women. The selected candidates will be honored during Women’s “Herstory” Month Celebration. Nominations should include the full name of the woman being nominated and a paragraph or two detailing your reasons for nominating her. Be sure to include both the nominators and nominees contact information. The award will be presented at noon during the Women’s Festival. Please send your nominations to shanta.anderson@pcc.edu.

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »