VCU news

By Brian McNeill

Virginia Commonwealth University will observe Women’s HerStory Month with a slate of interesting, informative and fun events throughout March.

Below is a sampling of the events being held this year. The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at VCU maintains a list of Women’s HerStory Month events for students and others at https://linktr.ee/vcuomsa. The list will continue to be updated as more events are added.

Pass Her The Pen: Writing Workshop

March 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., Suite 215

Paula G. Akinwole, a published poet, writing teacher, artist, owner of PGARTistry and the creative force behind the blog “For Lack of Better Words,” will lead a writing workshop for Women's HerStory Month. Sponsored by OMSA. Snacks will be provided.

Details and registration.

Pass Her The Mic: An All Women Open Mic Experience

March 16, 6-7:30 p.m., Rams Lounge in University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will host “Pass Her The Mic,” an open mic featuring readings, music, and performances about and from women.

Details and registration.

Pass My Crown: The Woman’s Voice in Hip-Hop Past, Present and Future

March 17, 6:15-8:30 p.m., Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Ave., Room 1107

This event will feature a discussion about women in hip-hop, exploring topics such as lyrics, dress, feminism/womanism, culture appropriation, overt and covert misogyny, activism, what’s next for women in hip hop, and how a multitude of women’s voices need to be heard.

It will be moderated by Grace Gipson, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of African American Studies in the College of Humanities and Sciences, and will include panelists Tiye Phoenix, a recording artist and school counselor; Shanita Hubbard, a professor and author of “Ride or Die: A Feminist Manifesto for the Well-Being of Black Women”; StaHHR, a recording artist; Queen Herawin, an educator and recording artist; and Rap-Unzel, a recording artist. The event is sponsored by the Department of African-American Studies in conjunction with the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Culture, and Girls For A Change.

Women's HerStory Month Mixer

March 20, 3-4:30 p.m., University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., Suite 215

This event will be an interactive experience for all (faculty, staff, and students) women across VCU to mingle and get an opportunity to experience female-owned businesses in Richmond.

Details and registration.

Defining Womanhood: A Conversation with Trans Women and Femmes of Color

March 22, 6-7:30 p.m., SGA Senate Chambers, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., First Floor

Organized by OMSA, this event will feature a panel discussion with trans women and femmes of color, exploring questions such as how they define womanhood and femininity for themselves, shared obstacles, sources of joy and self-care, and more. Pizza will be provided

Details and registration.

Indigenous HerStory: The Native Experience at VCU

March 23, 5:30-7 p.m., Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., Suite 215

How has the native student experience changed at VCU over the last 50 years? The event will feature an intergenerational discussion with Indigenous VCU alumni on navigating ignorance, finding community, & more. panelists include Elsie Sydelle Stewart, 84, who is a member of the Chickahominy Tribe. Mellow Mushroom Pizza will be served.

Details and registration.

Transform Talk: Dr. Deborah Noble-Triplett

March 27, 7-8 p.m., West Grace North, 830 W Grace St., Classroom 1030J

Deborah Noble-Triplett, Ph.D., senior vice provost for academic affairs at VCU, will speak on leadership and student success.

Details and registration.

Being My Own Boss X Shawna Kenney "How To Make a Living in the Arts"

March 30, 5 p.m., Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., Suite 215

Author, storyteller, writing coach, Shawna Kenney is coming to VCU for a discussion about her evolution from punk rock show promoter to dominatrix, journalist and UCLA writing instructor. She'll also be reading selections from a few of her books. Q&A to follow.

Shawna Kenney is the author of the memoir “I Was a Teenage Dominatrix,” co-author of “Live at the Safari Club: A History of harDCcore Punk in the Nation’s Capital 1988-1998” and “Imposters” and editor  of “Book Lovers: Sexy Stories from Under the Covers.” Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Bust, Ms., Vice, and more. She serves as a contributing editor with Narratively magazine and teaches creative writing via UCLA Extension.

Details and registration.