MHC's Black History Month 2007

This year's events honoring Black History Month at Mount Holyoke celebrate "Phenomenal Women." (The phrase "phenomenal woman" comes from the Maya Angelou poem of the same name.) Opening with Girls and Women in Sports Day on Saturday, February 3, an all day festival of female athletes, and closing with An Evening with Suzan-Lori Parks '85, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, on March 4, the events will include lectures, informal discussions, music, dance, and socializing. "I am so excited about this year's Black History Month program because it will showcase a range of events that will be fun, inspiring, and personal," said Gladys Girabantu '09, chair of this year's Black History Month committee. "I believe others as well will grow in their thinking of what a 'phenomenal woman' can be."

Catherine Adams, MHC's coordinator of multicultural affairs, is pleased about this year's events. "I hope to see every segment of the campus in attendance at the phenomenal offering of events for Black History Month," she said. "The celebration of history, culture, politics, and art will engage students, faculty, and staff."

"Phenomenal Women: Telling It Like It Is" is sponsored by: Black History Month Committee, Office of Academic Deans, APAU, Center for the Environment, Office of Communications, Five Colleges, Health Services, Office of the Dean of Faculty, Office of the Dean of Students, Office of Student Programs, Office of the President, and the Department of Physical Education and Athletics.

Saturday, February 3
Girls and Women in Sports Day
In celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), Mount Holyoke will invite middle school girls to play with Mount Holyoke College athletes. This event is supported by the "As Women of Color We Can: Be Healthy, Be Strong, Be One" grant.
9 am-4 pm, Kendall Sports and Dance Complex

Wednesday, February 7
Libation Ceremony
An occasion for the community to gather in respect for past phenomenal women, as well as to rejoice for our phenomenal keynote speaker, Monique Harden.
7 pm, Gamble Auditorium, Art Building

Keynote Event
Monique Harden is the codirector of Advocates for Environmental Human Rights (AEHR), a nonprofit, public interest law firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. Since Hurricane Katrina, Harden has been advocating for the human rights of displaced Gulf Coast residents, which include the right to return to healthy and safe neighborhoods.
7:30 pm, Gamble Auditorium, Art Building
Updated: Feb. 9 Listen to audio

Thursday, February 8
"All the Ugly People Be Quiet"
Akiba Solomon explores how social and racial constructions of "ugliness" impact the social interaction, socioeconomic standing, and media representation of women of color.
7 pm, Main Lecture Hall, Franklin Patterson Hall, Hampshire College
Sponsored by Hampshire College: The Lebron-Wiggins-Pran Cultural Center, the Community Health Collaborative, UMOJA; the Five College Lecture Fund; Amherst College Office of Campus Center/Student Activities; Office of Multicultural Affairs at Mount Holyoke College; Office of Multicultural Affairs at Smith College; and the Student Affairs and Campus Life Center for Student Development at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Tuesday, February 13
"A Known Way, A Safe Passage"
Kavita Khory, associate professor of politics
As part of the Office of Academic Development's new series, associate professor of politics Kavita Khory will talk about the role that academic achievement and excellence have played in her career and life journey.
6:30 pm, Room 305, Kendade Hall

Thursday, February 15
Space Between Dialogue
Conversation on "black," "white," and the space between us all
5 pm, MacGregor Hall

"Bicultural Bodies"
Leandris Liburd, Ph.D., Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explores the intersection of class, race, and gender for African American women.
7:30 pm, Hooker Auditorium, Clapp Laboratory

Friday, February 16
Ebony Café
A night of musical and dance performances to celebrate black people's influence and history in the arts
8 pm, Great Room, Blanchard Campus Center

Bringin' It Back Hosted by APAU
Enjoy some old school jams in your best '80s and '90s gear!
10:30 pm-2 am, Great Room, Blanchard Campus Center, $4

Tuesday, February 20
Phenomenal Men in Our Midst: Family and Relationships
To complement the celebration of "phenomenal women," this panel will consist of phenomenal men representing the Five College and Springfield areas.
6 pm, Hooker Auditorium, Clapp Laboratory

Monday, February 26
Space Between Dialogue
Conversation on "black," "white," and the space between us all
5 pm, MacGregor Hall

Wednesday, February 28
Closing Ceremony: Celebrating the Phenomenal Women in Our Lives
Commemorate a fantastic month with hors d'oeuvres at the Betty!
4:30 pm, Betty Shabazz House

Sunday, March 4
An Evening with Suzan-Lori Parks '85
The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, author of 365 Days/365 Plays, parts of which will be performed February 22-24 and March 2-4 at Mount Holyoke, lectures and reads from her work.
7 pm, Rooke Theatre

Related Links:

Suzan-Lori Parks '85 to Visit MHC March 4

Artist Margaret Warfield's Web site