The Department of Economics, Political Science and Sociology and the Center for Multicultural Education at Missouri Western State University are hosting a series of events in March to commemorate Women’s History Month. All events are free and open to the public.

“This year’s event series is focused on the theme that ‘gender is inescapable,’” said Dr. Melinda Kovács, assistant professor of political science. “I chose this emphasis to drive home the point that gender is a feature of every human life. It is a social construction and a collection of social roles and norms and every single one of us comes into contact with those every day.”

The events illustrate some variety of settings in which people “perform” gender, Dr. Kovács said. Events include a film series showing people in different settings negotiating gender as well as two roundtable discussions that will feature personal narratives from local people about their own journeys. The keynote address this year will be delivered by Dr. Celia Winkler, professor of sociology at the University of Montana. Her talk will focus on how gender is relevant in the area of welfare policy and how in fact welfare policy enforces certain views and norms of gender on individuals.

The series events in chronological order are:

  • 7 p.m. Monday, March 3, Film Series: “Kinky Boots,” Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union rooms 218-219
  • 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6, Film Series: “Must Love Dogs,” Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union rooms 218-219
  • 2 p.m. Monday, March 17, Community Service. Gather in Blum 210 for departure to Carriage Square Health Care Center. Sign up by Friday, March 7 in Blum 210
  • 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, Film Series: The Kids Are All Right,” Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union rooms 218-219
  • 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, Film Series: “Dallas Buyers Club,” Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union rooms 218-219
  • 5 p.m. Friday, March 21: Community Roundtable: How do you DO gender?, Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union rooms 218-219
  • 4 p.m. Monday, March 24: “The Truth About Women: The Role of Sex and Media in Women’s Lives,” discussion by Missouri Western faculty members, Junior College Room, Blum Student Union
  • 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25: Community Roundtable: How do you DO gender?, Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union rooms 218-219
  • 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 26: “Girls Rock,” a performance event featuring speakers, entertainment and a raffle, showcasing the talented women of Missouri Western and the St. Joseph community, Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union rooms 218-219
  • 6 p.m. Thursday, March 27: Film Series: “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union rooms 218-219
  • 5 p.m. Friday, March 28: Keynote Speaker Dr. Celia Winkler, Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union rooms 218-219

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.