̨Íåswag

During the month of March, the University of North Georgia (̨Íåswag) Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) will recognize inspirational women as part of Women's History Month. 

"Women's History Month means a lot through the exposure and celebration of women. The representation of women in leadership empowers growth within the community," Deborah Kakou, a senior from Lawrenceville, Georgia, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in management. "It is significant to recognize the diverse creative mindset women represent through their leadership style."

The celebration will commence with keynote speakers Lori Ann Falkenstein and Renee M. Reed scheduled to talk about their book "Same House Different Address" at 5 p.m. on March 2.  Held on Zoom, the panel will center on how diversity, equity, and inclusion intersect in our daily lives and how these topics relate to motherhood.

MSA will also be hosting tabling events in celebration of International Women’s Day at noon March 8 on both the Dahlonega (Hoag Patio) and Gainesville (Student Center Patio) campuses.

Women's History Month means a lot through the exposure and celebration of women. The representation of women in leadership empowers growth within the community

Deborah Kakou

̨Íåswag senior

The event will take place on both the Dahlonega (Hoag Patio) and Gainesville (Student Center lobby) campuses. 

"Women play a significant role in the history of the United States and in our current society. It is important that we recognize the achievements of the women in our current and past lives to raise awareness and inspire the women in our ̨Íåswag community," Dr. Andrew Johnson, MSA director, said.

Women's History Month has been celebrated in the United States for more than 30 years with International Women's Day will take place on the second Wednesday of the month, March 8. The month long celebration originated as a weeklong celebration of women's contributions to culture, history, and society organized by the school district of Sonoma, California, in 1978.

A few years later, the idea caught on within communities, school districts, and organizations across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women's History Week.

The U.S. Congress followed suit the next year, passing a resolution establishing a national celebration. Six years later, the National Women's History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the event to the entire month of March.