Dr, Franke Wilmer, professor of political science, Montana State University

Dr. Franke Wilmer, professor of political science at Montana State University, will open Missouri Western State University’s observation of Women’s History Month with a talk titled “A World of Difference: Living in a Woman’s Body,” at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 3, in the Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union 218-219. The talk is free and open to the public. Her appearance is sponsored by the Missouri Western chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science Honor Society.

From her research in the former Yugoslavia beginning during the wars there in the 1990s, to serving as Chair of the Montana Human Rights Commission followed by four terms in the Montana state legislature, Dr. Wilmer will share her experiences of and reflections on the significance of gender in the research and practice of politics.

Several other events are scheduled throughout the month, all in Blum 218-219:

  • “The Mask You Live In,” 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 8: a documentary and workshop on masculinity sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Education (CME),
  • Stiletto Stomp, 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 9: learn self-defense moves while you are dressed to go out on the town, sponsored by CME.
  • Girls Rock, 10 p.m. Thursday, March 10: Come celebrate the accomplishment of girls at Missouri Western and in the St. Joseph community while being inspired to be comfortable with the skin you are in, sponsored by CME and Alpha Kappa Alpha
  • Wage Equity Workshop and Bake Sale, 6 p.m. Monday, March 21: led by Dr. Orion Teal, assistant professor of history, and sponsored by the Department of History and Geography
  • “My Body Has a Big Mouth,” 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23: a talk and Q&A with Patience Jones of RAINN, sponsored by Women of the Future
  • Inaugural Women in Science Lecture, 6 p.m. Monday, March 28: featuring Sandra Hoffman, associate director, Boehringer Ingleheim and Rachel Paulman, group leader, Boehringer Ingleheim, sponsored by Tri-Beta
  • “Change the World, Love Your Body: The Social Impact of Body Love,” 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 29: a talk and book-signing by Jes Baker, co-sponsored by the Student Government Association and Women of the Future

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.