With a budget of about $150 and a planning committee of three, MSU students will have the opportunity to celebrate the 82nd International Women’s Day four days after the rest of the world.
The United Nations’ observance of the day was March 8, during MSU’s spring break. International Women’s Day was designed to recognize the accomplishments of women around the world.
Speakers, poetry and information sessions all will be available to the MSU community.
“I think Tuesday night’s event will be a celebration of women and I am hoping it will be a comfortable environment to share art, thoughts and information about women around the world,” said communication sophomore Laura Sorensen, a Women’s Council member. “The lecture is going to be an exciting opportunity to hear distinguished faculty members who have great knowledge in their areas of expertise. A lot of times, women only hear about issues that directly affect them, but it’s on a more global level.”
Tanya Palit, an international relations junior and member of Women’s Council, said this is the first year organized events have been held in honor of the day at MSU. Last year, Women’s Council distributed flowers on campus to celebrate the day.
“Some of the people on the committee are very much interested in women in other countries,” she said. “There was more enthusiasm about it this year as the international movement gained momentum.”
Palit said this year’s events will allow women a chance to express themselves in various ways.
“They can watch other women perform and understand what life is like in other countries and the history of henna art around the world,” she said. “It’s a very good event to come to. It’s an expression of solidarity for women’s rights. It’s not a protest or a political statement, but a celebration.”
Preeti Prasad, who also was on the planning committee, said she thinks the day is important to observe because it gives people a chance to understand women’s achievements.
“I think it’s important that we recognize the talents and different cultures for different things women do around the world,” the women’s studies and political science junior said. “A lot of women express their identity through dance, music or their cooking.”
Melanie Olmsted, an international relations senior and member of Women’s Council, said she thinks observance of the day transcends MSU’s involvement.
“I think it goes beyond our recognizing International Women’s Day at MSU,” she said. “In many other countries around the world, most other countries observe it as a holiday, just like Presidents Day. In the United States, we tend to overlook it. Women have struggled to gain equity with men as far as civil liberties and equal pay as men.
“When we can devote a day to recognizing the achievements of women around the world and go out into the world and teach our kids, we should bring it to the workplace and in our communities.”
