March 8th is “International Women’s Day” and every year I consider how I will honor this day, in addition to the month of March, which is Women’s History month. This year, I’ve decided to prepare and really think about the best ways to appreciate my womanhood and honor those that have fought to give me the rights and opportunities that I have today.
Here are 10 ways that you can celebrate International Women’s Day as a collegiette:
1. Stop by the Women’s Center and READ!
The Bentley Women’s Center (located in LaCava 120, right down the hall from the Lower Caf) has hundreds of books relating to gender issues, women’s studies, relationships, health, and more. At Bentley, we collegiettes don’t always come across the chance to read these books in our usual GB or Major classes (unless you’re a Gender Studies Minor, like me). Do something different and check out a book you wouldn’t normally read. Or, check out this month’s edition of Ms. Magazine, which you will also be able to find in the Women’s Center.
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2. Check out a Feminist blog or Twitter handle
If you’re a Google Reader user, then now is the time to subscribe to a feminist blog or one that relates to women’s lives. Here are some of my favorite blogs:
BlogHer
Feministing
Jezebel
Huffington Post Women
Her Campus
Or, if Twitter is more your thing, then follow some power women and feminist handles. Here are some that I follow:
Feminist Hulk (@feministhulk)
Miss Representation (@RepresentPledge)
Bentley Center for Women & Business (@BentleyCWB)
Ms. Magazine (@msmagazine)
Rachel Maddow (@maddow)
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3. Watch a female-friendly movie or documentary
Especially if you attended the Miss Representation screening sponsored by the CWB, you might have noticed that not all movies are female-friendly or positive towards women. If you can think of a film that does not feature a women dying, getting hurt, or getting lost, or one that does not feature a women focused on a man, then you’ve completed the first step! Find a movie with positive images of women and watch it – by yourself or with your friends. Or, if you can’t find a movie with all positive images of women (actually pretty difficult), then watch a “chick-flick” with a critical eye. Some of my favorite movies to watch and analyze from a real woman’s view are:
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The Devil Wars Prada
Sex and the City
27 Dresses
The Hours
The Women
Precious
Little Women
The Proposal
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4. Appreciate your mind, body, and spirit as a woman
Especially at a mostly-male business school, sometimes it can be difficult to appreciate your own womanhood. However, today is the day to scream “girl power” from the rooftops! Appreciate the way your realbody looks, the intelligence and skills you have in your mind, and your unique spiritual connection as a woman. Make a list of the things about your mind, body, and spirit that you love the most.
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5. Brainstorm ways to help and appreciate the women in your life
The power of mentorships is important for women’s success, especially in the corporate world. As someone who has both my own mentors and has mentored another, I have seen the importance of helping and appreciating other women. Think about ways in which you can use your strengths and opportunities to help the women in your life. Think about who was helped you get to where you are now and thank them.
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6. Acknowledge what you feel is special about being a woman
Being a woman has special, unique benefits. We are complex and get several opportunities specific to us. Think about what you consider to be special about being a woman. What do you feel is special about your womanhood and why? What challenges have you faced, as a woman, that have contributed to your growth?
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7. Play a Women’s History trivia game
Because it’s not only International Women’s Day, but also Women’s History month, there are plenty of fun online games and activities to test out your trivia skills. Playing a women’s history trivia game is not only a great test of what you know, but also helps you learn about new facts. It’s important to know about the history that has gotten women to where they are today. Check out a women’s history trivia game here.
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8. Tell your mom, sister, friend, teacher, mentor, or daughter what they mean to you
As college students, we often are so busy that we forget to do the simple things, like saying “thank you” or “I love you” to the people in our lives. Take this day to tell the women in your lives how much they mean to you. A simple email or hand-written letter is a great way to show them you care.
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9. Reward yourself for the challenges you’ve overcome
The challenges that women are faced with are numerous, but the strengths and goodwill of many women have allowed them to experience growth and learning through their experiences. Take a minute to think about and reflect on the challenges in your life that you’ve faced. How have you learned from them? How have they shaped your identity as a woman?
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10. Look into joining a women’s group on campus
If you’ve made it through one or all of the above ways to celebrate International Women’s Day, congratulations! It’s not often that we take the time to appreciate ourselves, let alone our womanhood, during our busy collegiette lives. Joining a women’s group on campus can help you to continue these positive practices, as well as help you make new friends and connections. If you’re interested in joining one of the women’s groups and resources on campus, then click on their name below to get in contact with them:
The Women’s Center
Her Campus Bentley
85 Broads Bentley
The Center for Women & Business
The Graduate Women’s Leadership Organization
Additionally, if you’re interested in taking classes about gender issues or women’s history, contact the Gender Studies Program Coordinator, Dr. Traci Abbott, by clicking here.
Happy International Women’s Day, Bentley collegiettes!