“Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” Belmont’s Women’s History Month celebration kicked off March 1 celebrating how women in all cultures have provided hope and healing throughout history. This year’s theme is a tribute to both the unwavering work of caregivers and frontline workers during our ongoing pandemic, as well as the countless ways women care for and champion flourishing for all.
Never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard seed germinates and roots itself. − Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale gives us a tangible example of healing and well-being for humanity. As a nurse during the Crimean War, she faced daunting conditions: depleted staff, short supplies and a myriad of sick and dying soldiers. Yet she pressed on and eventually helped save thousands of lives. Nearly two hundred years later, in the wake of a devastating global pandemic, we have a renewed appreciation for such agents of hope who aid in renewal and restoration. During Women’s History Month 2022, the Belmont community will celebrate women who—whether attending to mind, body or spirit—have planted mustard seeds of healing and hope.
“For Women’s History Month this year, we wanted to focus on the power of healing and hope on our campus, in our city and in our larger communities,” said Sarah Blomeley, professor of English and Women’s History Month co-chair. “The past two years of pandemic life have been hard, but they have also brought about incredible stories of innovation, compassion and leadership. Our programming this month is really a celebration of resilience in the face of adversity, whether historical or contemporary, and we hope the Belmont community will be inspired by the stories they’ll hear throughout the month of March.”
In addition to Blomeley, Women’s History Month is co-chaired by Heather Daugherty, university minister, and Amy Hodges Hamilton, professor of English. Women’s History Month programming runs March 4-31, 2022. View a full schedule below:
- Women’s History Month Wikipedia Edit-a-thon
Lila D. Bunch Library | Friday, March 4, 10 a.m.
Millions of pages are edited every month on Wikipedia, but only 19% of the 1.5 million biographies are about women, and less than 20% of editors are women. Come be part of the information creation process and help close the gender gap with Jenny Mills, Coordinator of Research Services and Nicole Fox, Research and Instruction Librarian. Bring your laptop to the library, and we’ll show you how to set up your Wikipedia account and edit articles. Join us in improving the gender imbalance on Wikipedia by contributing to articles on notable women. No experience necessary, and all are welcome! Co-Sponsored by Library Faculty and Welcome Home Diversity Council.
- Healing and Hope
Gabhart Chapel, Janet Ayers Academic Center | Monday, March 7, 10 a.m.
Healing and Hope are often elusive for women who have been abused and exploited. And yet, in the midst of hardship, there are women who are finding ways to bring just that to those women and children who have suffered so much. Allison Hale, missionary and founder of Mercy Jewelry, and Joy Reyes, founder of New Hope Girl’s Academy, will share stories of their work in the Dominican Republic. Co-sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, the Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Welcome Home Diversity Council, and University Ministries.
- Passing the Torch – The Journey of Women in Athletics
Gabhart Chapel, Janet Ayers Academic Center | Monday, March 21, 10 a.m.
In her forthcoming book, Belmont Professor Mary Ellen Pethel features 50 women connected to Title IX in TN over the last 50 years, including some of Belmont’s own. This chapel will explore her work and the lasting impact women have made in Athletics in the last 50 years. Co-sponsored by Belmont Athletics and Welcome Home Diversity Council.
- Reflecting on The Black Church
Gabhart Chapel, Janet Ayers Academic Center | Monday, March 23, 10 a.m.
Stacey L. Holman is an award-winning filmmaker who most recently produced and directed the PBS documentary series “The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song,” hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. of Harvard University. She is currently at work with him on an upcoming PBS film, “Making Black America.” Sponsored by the Office of Spiritual Development and Welcome Home Diversity Council.
- Abuelita Faith
Gabhart Chapel, Janet Ayers Academic Center |Monday, March 28, 10 a.m.
Kat Armas is a second-generation Cuban American who grew up on the outskirts of Miami’s famed Little Havana neighborhood, and her earliest theological formation came from her grandmother (“abuelita”). In her new book, “Abuelita Faith,” Armas asks the question, “What if the greatest theologians the world has ever known are those whom the world wouldn’t consider theologians at all?” She shows us how voices on the margins–those often dismissed, isolated, and oppressed because of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or lack of education–have more to teach us about following God than we realize. Sponsored by University Ministries and Welcome Home Diversity Council.
- Take Back the Night
Gabhart Chapel, Janet Ayers Academic Center |Thursday, March 31, 6:30 p.m.
We seek to raise awareness about violence against students, to give students a voice in their own safety on campus, and to provide easily accessible resources for violence prevention and student safety through a Take Back the Night march and keynote address by founder of Rest Stop Ministries Rondy Smith and a sex trafficking survivor. Together we can break the silence and give each other a voice, take safety into our own hands, and make campus a safer place for all students. This is for us to reclaim the night. Co-sponsored by University Ministries, the Office of Campus Security, the Title IX Office, and Welcome Home Diversity Council.
