“Our History is Our Strength” was the theme of Lorain County Community College’s Women’s History Month event titled “Women Throughout History!”
The event took place in the College Commons and was sponsored by the Student Life Division. Rachel Smirz, an LCCC student and the event coordinator, was pleased to see seven LCCC students portray famous women in history. The historical figures honored ranged from Mary Read, an English pirate to Dr. Maya Angelou, a world renowned poet and educator.
The idea for the event was conceived during a Student Life leadership retreat last fall semester. During the retreat, student groups were each assigned a month and charged with producing an event to highlight the leadership skills they learned at the retreat. Smirz was assigned the month of March with three ideas for her group’s event. One of the ideas was Women’s History Month. “It started as an idea of talking about different women in history to commemorate Women’s History Month,” Smirz said. “Then, I decided to add substance by having students portray famous historical women.”
During the event, as the students read from passages of the honored women, the people in attendance learned how far women have come in history. It was also pointed out there is still more to achieve. “Unfortunately, there are videos and celebrities that give negative connotations of women and their worth.” said Kionna McIntosh, Student Senate Executive Secretary. “It is my job, as well as that of other women, to become positive role models by educating the younger generations to their self worth as a woman.” McIntosh added.
The event was so successful it will become annual. “I would like to see more students portray more historical women,” Smirz reflected. “I want those in attendance to feel as if they are really there with these women, in their time and in their situations.”