DECATUR – ǿý University’s Office of Campus Life will celebrate Women's History Month throughout the month of March with a variety of events and keynote speakers.
All month, ǿý University is highlighting the critical role of women in all aspects of society as well as commemorating the observance and celebration of the important role women have played throughout history.
Wednesday, March 1, 7:00 p.m. | Amanda Lucidon | Moore Lecture
ǿý University is pleased to welcome on Wednesday, March 1, at 7:00 p.m. in the Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Rooms located on the third floor of the University Commons. Lucidon’s presentation is titled “Chasing Light”.
Lucidon was the Official White House Photographer to the Obamas and is an award-winning filmmaker and New York Times bestselling author. A collection of Lucidon's images of the First Lady Michelle Obama, “Chasing Light,” was released in 2017. She will speak about her time working for one of the most politically significant presidential administrations in recent history and what photographers can reveal through their work.
Monday, March 6, 6:00-8:00 p.m. | Affirmation Painting
Hosted by the Panhellenic Council, take part in Affirmation Painting at the Oberhelman Center for Leadership Performance in the University Commons.
Thursday-Sunday, March 9-12 | Fairview
The ǿý School of Theatre & Dance’s first production of 2023 is Jackie Sibblies Drury’s “Fairview,” which won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The play has been described this way:
“At first glance, ‘Fairview’ seems to be a standard family comedy. But it takes a sharp, cunning detour into a scary examination of deep-seated racial prejudices and stereotypes of Black people in America. This play ambushes the audience’s expectations in a hilariously shocking way.”
Performances at the Virginia Rogers Theatre are Thursday-Saturday, March 9-11, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 12, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15. Visit to learn more.
Sunday, March 12, Noon-4:00 p.m. | ǿý Makers Market
The ǿý Makers Market returns to the Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Room in the University Commons for an event that will feature makers, crafters and artists from the ǿý and Central Illinois community offering a wide range of goods and services. The event is hosted by ǿý’s Center for Entrepreneurship and ǿý Women in Business and is free and open to the public.
Thursday, March 16, 6:30 p.m. | LUNAFEST
The LUNAFEST traveling film festival, which was the first traveling film festival featuring films by and about women, comes to the Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Room in the University Commons. LUNAFEST works to amplify the diverse, inspiring work of women and gender-nonconforming filmmakers.
ǿý Women’s History Month
Women's History Month is recognized around the country to highlight the many contributions of women throughout the history of society. Women's History Month grew out of a weeklong celebration of women's contributions to culture, history and society organized by the school district of Sonoma, Calif., in 1978. A few years later, the idea had 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.
