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Empower Hour – March 2020 Newsletter

Join us in celebrating Women’s History Month!

Shelter Needs:

Note that we serve survivors of all shapes, ages, sizes, and genders when donating the above-needs! All donations are tax-deductible and can be dropped off at any one of our three locations in Berkeley, Jefferson, or Morgan County!

 

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

By: Jenna Pepple, Berkeley Co. Victim Advocate, EPEC

March is a month in which we celebrate the extensive history of the Women’s Rights Movement. Nationally, Women’s History Month has been around since the eighties when President Carter, backed by a majority of his cabinet, decided that the struggles and accomplishments of women needed to be recognized during a national event. The celebration of the Women’s Movement was diverse, and a means to gain rights and acknowledgments for American women. The state departments of education encouraged celebrations of National Women’s History Week as an effective means to achieving equity goals within classrooms. It only took seven years for Women’s History Week to become Women’s History Month in 1987 and a special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women.

While there are many women to thank for Women’s History Month, there is one woman, Gerda Lerner who is pinned the “Mother” of Women’s History. Lerner is an Austrian Holocaust survivor who immigrated to the United States. She once famously said, “Women’s history is women’s right,…an essential, indispensable heritage from which we can draw pride, comfort, courage, and long range vision”. Lerner was also the person who institutionalized women’s history by creating the nation’s first graduate program in women studies. March 8th specifically is International Women’s Day and is celebrated worldwide. Each country has taken their own twist on this significant day and has used it to celebrate and advocate women’s rights. In Italy the day is called “La Fest Della Donna” and is celebrated by gifting bright yellow mimosa flowers to women, usually from a man to an important woman in his life as the flower represents the strength of women.

In China, women usually get a half day off and the day is similarly treated like another Valentine’s Day. In Berlin it has been established as a public holiday, “Frauentag” and is celebrated with a day off of work. In the United Kingdom fashion brands will partner with local women charities to make political and social stances for women’s rights. Similarly in Spain, women will take this day to protest several issues including the gender pay gap, rise of domestic violence, and sexual discrimination with a twenty-four hour strike.

With this upcoming March 8th being the 110th International Women’s Day it’s important to recognize not only the rich history of this month and day but also to acknowledge how it connects all of us throughout the world with our celebrations of the achievements and rights of women.

“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”

– President Jimmy Carter

Bibliography:

1. MacGregor, M. (2019). Why March is National Women’s History Month | National Women’s History Alliance. [online] Nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org. Available at: https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/womens-history-month/womens-history-monthhistory/ [Accessed 4 Mar. 2020].

2. United Nations. (2020). Women’s Day. [online] Available at: https://www.un.org/en/events/womensday/history.shtml [Accessed 4 Mar. 2020].

3. Antler, J. (2013). Remembering Gerda Lerner: The “Mother” of Women’s History | Jewish Women’s Archive. [online] Jwa.org. Available at: https://jwa.org/blog/remembering-gerdalerner-mother-of-womens-history [Accessed 4 Mar. 2020].

4. Petter, O. (n.d.). How International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world. [online] The Independent. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/internationalwomens-day-celebration-around-the-world-a8811561.html [Accessed 4 Mar. 2020].

UPCOMING

Keep an eye on our social media for upcoming awareness events and tips on how to best support survivors next month (and everyday)!

Check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WVswcinc for schedule updates or to message with questions, or call (304) 263-8522.

16th Annual Drag Show

Saturday, March 28, 2020
7-10 PM

Shepherd University
Student Center Ram’s Den
301 N. King St. 
Shepherdstown, WV

The SAAM Jam

Sunday, April 19, 2020
4-8 PM

The Barn
1062 W. Washington St.
Harpers Ferry,  WV

Jam for a Cause! Benefit Concert for Survivors during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)

Live at The Barn

$15 advanced ticket |  $20 at the door

Available at Eventbrite!

100% of ticket sales will be donated to Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center (EPEC)

Berkeley County Peer Support Group

A peer support group for domestic violence victims and survivors

January-June 2020 Schedule

Meetings are held at the Berkeley County office at 236 W. Martin St., Martinsburg, WV 25401 from 5-6:30.

New Year, New You!

A “come as you are” peer support group for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and allies.
113 East Third Avenue, Ranson, WV

Every Other Thursday
5:30-6:30 PM

Find our schedule on the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center Facebook page!

Open enrollment with no commitment! This safe space is provided by Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center.

Direct questions to Community Coordinator, MK, at commcoordinator@swcinc.org or call Advocates Amanda and Cammy at (304) 725-7080.

Morgan County Peer Support Group

A peer support group for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Where? Morgan County Outreach Office
106 Sandmine Road, Suite 3
Berkeley Springs, WV

When? Every other Thursday from 6-7 pm

February-August Schedule

 

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Our Mission: To Eliminate Violence Against all People.