The University of Toledo will celebrate women’s historical achievements and explore current women’s issues with a series of in-person events and activities throughout March in honor of Women’s History Month.

“The theme of our Women’s History Month this year is ‘Untold Stories,’ ” said Kristen Geaman, an associate lecturer in the Department of History and chair of the Women’s History Month Planning Committee for 2023. “The committee has put together an excellent slate of activities that highlight both historical and contemporary stories.”

The celebration kicks off with an event featuring pizza and trivia starting at noon Thursday, March 2, in the Eberly Center for Women Lounge in Tucker Hall Room 0168.

Later in the month, Donna Owens, Toledo’s first woman to serve as mayor, Sheena Barnes, the first LGBTQ+ Black woman to serve on the TPS school board, and Allison Armstrong, Toledo’s first woman to serve as fire chief, will speak at an event 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, in the Thompson Student Union Ingman Room as public servants who pioneered paths for other women.

“Many of the historical activities focus on local history, such as the documentary about Ella P. Stewart and the panel highlighting pioneers of public service,” Geaman said. “We are proud to spotlight local history in the same year as the University’s sesquicentennial. Other events offer students a chance to share their own untold stories, and, with such a range of programming, students should be able to find something they enjoy.”

Women’s History Month events include:

• Monday, March 13, 5:30 p.m.Women in STEM Chat in Carlson Library Room 1005. Connect with UToledo faculty from biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. All are welcome to join talking circles on the challenges and opportunities for women in STEM.
• Wednesday, March 15, 7 p.m.“Ella P. Stewart: Larger Than Life” film screening in Memorial Field House Room 1910. Following a screening of the new documentary about Toledo’s Ella P. Stewart, one of the first Black female pharmacists in the United States, Dr. Shirley Green, an instructor in the Department of History, will host a discussion.
• Saturday, March 18, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.Women in Art Through the Ages at the Toledo Museum of Art. Explore the history of women in art at the Toledo Museum of Art through a tour guided by Dr. Mysoon Rizk, a UToledo professor of art history. Attendees will meet on the second floor of the museum in Libbey Court, the large open space at the top of the main staircase. Sponsored by the Women’s Mentoring Network and the Department of Art History. RSVPs via the Eberly Center website are encouraged but not required.
• Monday, March 20, 5:30 p.m.Untold Stories of Pioneering Public Servants in Thompson Student Union Room 2591 is a fireside chat with public servants who pioneered paths for other women. Participants include Donna Owens, Toledo’s first woman to serve as mayor; Sheena Barnes, the first LGBTQ+ Black woman to serve on the TPS school board; and Allison Armstrong, Toledo’s first woman to serve as fire chief.
• Tuesday, March 28, noon.Wiki Edit-a-Thon in Carlson Library Room 2024. Wikipedia is one of the most visited websites in the world, but less than 20% of biographies on the site are about women. Learn how to research, write and edit Wikipedia entries to address this gender gap while celebrating some of the groundbreaking women from Ohio.
• Thursday, March 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.Open Mic Poetry Night in the Brew Coffee Bar at Gateway Plaza at UToledo. Compose, share and listen to poetry while reflecting on Women’s History Month and our own untold stories.
• Friday, March 31, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.Womxn of Color Symposium in the Thompson Student Union Ingman Room. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host the fifth Annual Womxn of Color Symposium. This year’s theme, “Reclaiming Our Space(s),” focuses on the ways that navigating predominantly white spaces impacts the mental, physical and overall well-being of women of color. There will be breakout sessions in Rooms 2582, 2584 and 2591.

“We are super happy to celebrate the contributions of women in our community during Women’s History Month this year,” said Reyna Armstrong, a master’s student in the Department of History and an Eberly Center intern.

“We worked hard to include diverse events that center on the history of the women of Toledo that will appeal to everyone. It’s always great to have the opportunity to learn about some important women who’ve had a meaningful impact on UToledo’s community.”