In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a Presidential Proclamation declaring the week
of March 8 as the first National Women's History Week. In 1987, Congress expanded
the celebration from a week into a month, and March is now National Women's History
Month.
Since that time, Bakersfield College has participated in the nationwide effort to
recognize the historical accomplishments of women with a month-long series of programs
presented by local and regional leaders among women.
Women's History and More (WHAM) at Bakersfield College organizes an array of programs that are open and free to
the public. See WHAM's website for previous events.
This year WHAM chose to emphasize the positive change women can make in the lives
of each other and in broader society. Our series of events will explore and celebrate
how women across groups ally to create power for positive change.
Please visit the libguide created by Professor and Research Librarian Faith Bradham for research materials.
Resources
Find out more about Women's History Month at these sites:
Tuesday, March 10 at 11:30AM in the Levan Center Courtyard
Join us as we celebrate Women's History Month with the WHAM Kick Off! Includes guest
speakers, a performing arts preview, a live mariachi band and more!
Queer Herstory Trivia
Wednesday, March 11 at 2:00PM In the Norman Levan Center
Come take a break from your busy schedule and enjoy some Queer Herstory Trivia. Test
your knowledge while having some fun with fellow Renegades!
Artwork Presentation: Cuca Montoya-Latin American Feministas
Tuesday, March 17 at 6:00PM in the Norman Levan Center
In celebration of Women's History Month, local artist Cuca Montoya will showcase some
of her artwork and talk about the inspirations and stories behind them. We hope to
see you there!
Women's History Month Movie Screening
Wednesday, March 18 at 1:00PM in the Fireside Room
In celebration of Women's History Month, come enjoy a screening of the 2024 movie
"The Six Triple 8". The film is based on the true story of the 6888th Central Postal
Directory Battalion - an all-black, all-female battalion sent to serve in World War
II.
This event is FREE and open to all students, staff and community members.
Tribal Women's Leadership Seminar
Thursday, March 19 at 1:30PM in CSS 151
Join us for a Tribal Women's Leadership Seminar. Empowering women leaders in our community!
Featuring Sandra Hernandez - member of the Tejon Indian Tribe.
Latinas in Business Leadership Panel
Thursday, March 26 at 6:00PM via ZOOM webinar
Join us for a exciting webinar featuring a panel of Latinas in Business Leadership.
They will share their experiences, challenges, successes and more.
Hidden Figures Film Screening
Tuesday, March 4 at 6:00PM in the Norman Leven Center
Watch the inspiring film Hidden Figures, celebrating the incredible story of African American women mathematicians at NASA.
Levan Center Presents: Guest Speaker Margot Lee Shetterly
Wednesday, March 5 at 6:00PM in the Renegade Event Center
Meet Margot Lee Shetterly, author of Hidden Figures, who will share her insights into the untold stories of these trailblazing women.
BC WHAM Committee and Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Present: Latinas in
Business & Leadership Panel
Thursday, March 13 at 6:00PM
Join us for an empowering panel discussion featuring Latinas who have made impactful
strides in business and leadership.
Campus Stories: Voices of Female Unconventional Leaders
Monday, March 24 at 11:00AM in the Renegade Event Center
Hear powerful stories from women who have taken unconventional paths to leadership
and success.
NASSSP Presents: Women's Celebration
Thursday, March 27 at 2:00PM in the Outdoor Theater
Join the Native American Student Support & Success Program as they present a Women's
Celebration event featuring professional dancers and a strong desire of uplifting
women from all backgrounds.
Women's History Month Book Display
All month long in the Grace Van Dyke Bird Library
Explore a special collection of books highlighting the accomplishments and stories
of remarkable women throughout history.
Women's History Month Affirmation Wall
All month long in the Dining Commons
Stop by to leave your own words of encouragement and inspiration for women everywhere.
March 7, 2024
6:00PM, Zoom Webinar
WHAM Committee and Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Present: Latina in Business
and Leadership Panel
March 12, 2024
1:30PM, Levan Center
WHAM Committee and BCSGA Present Campus Stories: Voices of Female Scholars at Bakersfield
College
March 21, 2024
7:30PM, Performing Arts Center
BC Theater Arts Presents The Lilies of the Field. Additional Performances on 3/22/24
and 3/23/24. Please visit the Performing Arts Ticket page for more info and purchase options.
March 3, 2022
The Voice of Mexican-American Culture, A Film Screening & Discussion of Linda & the
Mockingbirds
Director and producer James Keach travels with legendary Mexican American musician
Linda Ronstadt, musician Jackson Brown, and several, young Cenzontles in celebration
of the rich musical and cultural impact of Mexico on Mexican American music and culture.
They travel to Banàmichi in Sonora, Mexico, the birthplace of Ronstadt's grandfather.
Professor of English for Multilingual Students Elizabeth Rodacker will introduce the
documentary, and she and History Professor Erin Miller will facilitate discussion
about the film via live Zoom Webinar.
Faculty Coordinator: Beth Rodacker, Professor of English for Multilingual Students.
March 10, 2022
Loss & Longing: The Truth & Beauty of Latina Lives - The Girls in My Town Essays by
Angela Morales
"Loss & Longing: The Truth & Beauty of Latina Lives,” features professor and author
Angela Morales. Her autobiographical writing captures the daily lives of Latinas living
in Los Angeles across generations. Her stories capture the beauty of everyday life
and the ways in which equality and rights pervade our experiences and inform her journey.
Faculty Coordinator: Elizabeth Rodacker, Professor of English for Multilingual Students.
Brought to you in collaboration with the Bakersfield College Student Government Association,
the Office of Student Life, and the BC Women's History and More Committee (WHAM).
March 17, 2022
Alliance & Power in a Time of Adversity, A Panel Discussion
Dr. Jessica Grimes; Edith Mata; Dr. Erica Gibblin; Jenny Grohol; Michelle Oja
Gender Theory, Applying Theory Through Activism, Volunteerism, Power
An inspiring discussion about how women can create power and build alliances into
forces for change. Themes of overcoming challenges, building alliances, creating power
for women and for society, and civic duty. Faculty Coordinator and Moderator: Tina
Mendoza, History Professor, Taft College & Bakersfield College Brought to you by the
BC Women's History and More Committee (WHAM)
March 22, 2022
Ain't I a Woman!: A Musical Theatrical Presentation by Core Ensemble
Fannie Lou Hamer; Clementine Hunter; Zora Neale Hurston; Sojourner Truth
African American; Women; Activism; Leadership
"A chamber music theatre work for actress and trio (cello, piano & percussion) celebrating
the lives and times of four significant African American women: ex-slave and fiery
abolitionist Sojourner Truth, renowned novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston,
exuberant folks artist Clementine Hunter and fervent civil rights worker Fannie Lou
Hamer. Text is by Kim Hines. The musical score is drawn from the heartfelt spirituals
of the Deep South, the urban exuberance of the Jazz Age and concert music by African
American composers including Diane Monroe."
Latinas in Business Leadership, A Panel Discussion
Latinas; Success; Empowerment
An engaging dialogue about Latinas engaged in local business and leadership roles.
Themes of achieving success, overcoming challenges, embracing empowerment, and finding
the secrets to business collaboration and partnerships. Brought to you by the BC Women's
History and More Committee (WHAM).
Faculty Coordinator and Moderator: Olivia Garcia, Professor of History and Chairwoman
of the KCHCC
Erika L. Sánchez is a novelist, poet, feminist, and cheerleader for young women everywhere.
She is the author of the New York Times bestselling Young Adult novel, I Am Not Your
Perfect Mexican Daughter (Knopf, 2017), which was a finalist for the National Book
Award, and the acclaimed debut poetry collection, Lessons in Expulsion (Graywolf Press,
2017), which the Washington Post called “a fierce, assertive debut.” Her poems have
appeared in many literary journals, including Poets.org, Vinyl Poetry, Guernica, diode,
Boston Review, the Paris Review, Gulf Coast, POETRY Magazine, and The New York Times
Magazine. Her poetry has also been featured on “Latino USA” on NPR and published in
Please Excuse This Poem: 100 New Poems for the Next Generation (Viking 2015).
The daughter of undocumented Mexican immigrants, Sánchez grew up in the working-class
town of Cicero, IL. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from the University
of Illinois at Chicago, then went onto Madrid, Spain on a Fulbright Scholarship. After
her scholarship, she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she received an MFA in
Creative Writing from the University of New Mexico. She currently lives in Chicago.
March 1-31, 2022
Women's Voices In a Time of Authenticity, Intersectionality, Alliance & Power: A Library
Book Display
Director and Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Jennifer Garrett, Professor of Music
Brought to you by the BC Performing Arts Department
April 27-30, 2022
The Wolves A Theatre Production by Sarah DeLappe
Dramatic Play | Conflict & Overcoming | Women
Professor of Theatre Brian Sivesind will direct Bakersfield College theatre actors
in his production of Sarah DeLappe's play The Wolves. Adult content and language.
No children will be admitted.
Director and Faculty Coordinator: Brian Sivesind, Professor of Performing Arts, brought
to you by the BC Performing Arts Department.
