University Libraries’ Libby reading app will feature a women’s history month virtual display of e-books and audiobooks available for student and employee borrowing. In addition, a first-floor Paterno Library leisure-reading bookshelf near Starbucks’ order pickup area will have similar books available for all library users’ checkout at first floor library desks. Peruse curated titles about extraordinary women, issues affecting women, and fictional strong women protagonists.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State student organizations and units at campuses across the commonwealth will offer events in honor of National Women’s History Month in March 2025.
According to the National Women's History Alliance, the theme of National Women's History Month this year is "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations." The theme celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship and leadership.
In addition, International Women’s Day will be celebrated on March 8.
Penn State University Park
Lynnette Grey Bull: "Not Our Native Daughters" — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. Founder and executive director of "Not Our Native Daughters," Lynnette Grey Bull has been an advocate for Indian Country for over a decade. Her organization focuses on education and action around human trafficking and the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). She serves on the Wyoming Governor’s Task Force for MMIP and the Wyoming Human Trafficking Task Force. Previously, she chaired the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs and worked as a consultant for the DOJ AMBER Alert Program. Grey Bull also advocates for Indigenous land and water rights, child protection, environmental justice and voting rights. Sponsored by the Indigenous Peoples' Student Association, Paul Robeson Cultural Center, R-VOICE, and University Libraries.
Women's History Month Trivia Night — 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 008 HUB, Lion’s Lair Lounge. Test your knowledge and celebrate the achievements of women throughout history at this interactive trivia night. Compete with friends, learn about trailblazing women, and win prizes in a fun and engaging atmosphere. Win prizes and glory! We hope to see you there.
Lecture: Drew Afualo, "The Comment Section" podcast — 6 p.m. Thursday, March 20, Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. A Samoan American influencer and host of "The Comment Section" podcast, Drew Afualo is known for her sharp wit, contagious laughter, and fearless takedowns of misogyny on TikTok. Recognized as a TIME "Next Generation Leader," a Forbes "Top Creator of 2023," and Adweek’s "Digital & Tech Creator of the Year," Afualo uses her platform to challenge hate while advocating for women’s rights and cultural representation. The lecture is presented by the Student Programming Association (SPA) and R-VOICE, in collaboration with the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Center for Social Change, APIDA Caucus, Culture Central, and Indigenous Peoples Student Association. Free tickets are now available for students on OrgCentral.
Explore and Connect: Women’s HistoryMonth Bus Trip — Saturday, March 29, Philadelphia. Experience equity-focused work in action while exploring women’s history, art, and advocacy in the City of Brotherly Love. This immersive trip will give students the opportunity to learn about careers in gender equity, connect with alumni, and engage with changemakers outside of our community. During the trip, participants will meet women making history in the fight for equity and justice, take a walking tour with "Beyond the Bell" Tours highlighting the contributions of women, people of color, queer folks and Indigenous people, and visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The day will conclude with dinner at a local restaurant, where students will have the chance to connect with Penn State alumni working in advocacy and social change. Sponsored by the R-VOICE Center, Paul Robeson Cultural Center and Center for Social Change and Belonging. Registration link for bus trip.
University Park Exhibits:
Women’s History Month virtual display on the Libby reading app, bookshelf display in Pattee Library and Paterno Library, University Park campus — throughout March. University Libraries’ Libby reading app will feature a women’s history month virtual display of e-books and audiobooks available for student and employee borrowing. In addition, a first-floor Paterno Library leisure-reading bookshelf near Starbucks’ order pickup area will have similar books available for all library users’ checkout at first floor library desks. Peruse curated titles about extraordinary women, issues affecting women, and fictional strong women protagonists.
Penn State World Campus
“Ungendering Expectations: Gender Bias, Stereotyping, and Inclusion” — 8-9 p.m. Thursday, March 6, Zoom. Explore and identify gender stereotypes through an interactive activity, which will help define and identify gender norms and the consequences of failing to follow them. The event is hosted by World Campus Student Affairs and the Psychology Club at World Campus. Click here for more information.
Women’s history trivia — 8-9 p.m. ET, Thursday, March 20, Zoom. Join in for a night of women’s history trivia, and prizes are included. Presented by World Campus Student Affairs and the American Association of University Women. Click here for more information.
Penn State Berks
Latinos United for Change hosts "Queen Gala" — 6–10 p.m., Friday, March 21 (during International Women of Color Day), Perkins Student Center Auditorium. The event will feature keynote speaker Karina Fuentes, Associate Director of Admissions for Inclusive Excellence at Moravian University. It will also include entertainment and a private dinner to close the night.
Penn State DuBois
Women’s history month poster presentations — 12:15 pm, Monday, March 24, Penn State DuBois Library. Celebrate Women’s History Month with a powerful showcase of posters highlighting the achievements, contributions, and stories of remarkable women throughout history. This presentation features student-created posters that dive into the impact women have had across various fields and cultures. Come be inspired, learn something new, and honor the trailblazing women who have shaped our world!
Penn State Great Valley
“Mary Treat: Life and Letters of a Pioneer Scientist” — noon–1 p.m., Tuesday, March 25, Main Building Room 230. Author and biographer Deborah Boerner Ein will present her research on Mary Treat, a 19th-century naturalist whose studies coincided with those of Charles Darwin. Treat corresponded with the esteemed British scientist more than any other woman scientist, yet her life and contributions to the field of environmental studies have gone unrecognized by most of the outside world for more than a century.
Penn State Harrisburg
Lady Brion – Spoken Word Artist — 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, Kulkarni Theatre, Student Enrichment Center. A unique exhibition showcasing the works of talented spoken-word artist Lady Brion, who describes herself as “an artivist, using my artistic talent to resist and struggle against injustice and oppression.” Her themes include women’s empowerment, the Black experience and identity.
Career Related Convos (CaReCo) — 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, Oliver LaGrone Cultural Center, W132 Olmsted. Career-related conversations on a topic related to Women’s History Month, sponsored by Career Services and the Office of Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
"Women as Food: An Exhibition on Depictions of Women as Edible Objects" — Monday, March 3 through Tuesday, April 29, third floor, Madlyn L. Hanes Library. Featuring original color postcards from the archives' largest collection, this exhibition explores and challenges historical stereotypes of women as chickens, peaches, sweets, and other food puns as highlighted in printed ephemera from the Alice Marshall Women's History Collection. The exhibition was curated by Payton Becker, archives graduate student assistant and American studies doctoral student at Penn State Harrisburg. It can be viewed when the library is open. For more information, contact Heidi Abbey Moyer, archivist and humanities reference librarian, [email protected].
Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Pink & FIERCE women’s self-defense class — 12:15 p.m. Thursday, March 6, Athletics and Recreation Building (ARB). Instructor Shannon Marshall-Hughes, a Krav Maga Black Belt, will conduct a self-defense class designed to empower participants with essential skills so they feel safe and build confidence.
Cheyenne Tyler Jacobs: "CAMPUSPEAK" — 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, Academic Commons (AC) 103/Barry Auditorium. Writer and filmmaker Cheyenne Tyler Jacobs shares her experience and healing journey as a survivor of sexual assault. Her combination of storytelling, research and poetry brings to light the unique challenges faced by survivors of marginalized backgrounds.
