The University of Delaware will celebrate Women’s History Month in March with a host of events and activities that honor the accomplishments of women. International Women’s Day — which is celebrated on March 8 — also offers an opportunity to reflect on progress made, raise awareness for women’s equality, and celebrate women’s achievements.

Attend the inaugural Ida B. Wells lecture

Who: Department of Women and Gender Studies.

What: Black Mothers and Police Violence - the Ida B. Wells lecture.

When: Tuesday, March 7, 4-5:30 p.m.

Where: Mitchell Hall.

How much: Free.

Know this: The lecture will feature a conversation between two Black mothers whose sons were killed by the police or a police surrogate — Sybrina Fulton (mother of Trayvon Martin) and Loretta Prater (mother of Leslie Prater). The lecture is named for Ida B. Wells, an investigative journalist and early civil rights activist who spoke to audiences across the country to expose the horrors of lynching. Mary Ruth Warner will be honored as the first recipient of an award in her name for her contributions to the University of Delaware and the Department of Women and Gender Studies.

More info: Register online.

Ask Black women faculty about their experiences at UD

Who: The Graduate College.

What: Diversity in Academia Panel Discussion Series: Experiences of Black Women Faculty at UD.

When: Thursday, March 2, 12-1:30 p.m.

Where: Please RSVP for location.

How much: Free.

Know this: On the cusp between Black History Month and Women’s History Month, the Graduate College’s Graduate Diversity Programming Initiative is taking the opportunity to amplify the voices of Black women faculty on the UD campus. A distinguished panel of Black women, including Kimberly Blockett, chair and professor, Department of Africana Studies, and Monique H. Head, associate professor and associate chair, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, plans for a candid and thought-provoking panel discussion.

More info: Register online.

Support women in electrical and computer engineering

What: The Women in Electrical and Computer Engineering (WECE) student group is decorating the iSuite in Evans Hall with floral arrangements, neon lights and a motivational banner for Women’s History Month. In addition, the achievements of UD WECE alumni and historical contributions of women in the field of electrical and computer engineering will be on display. 

All members of the UD community are invited to stop by the iSuite and share a motivational message with ECE’s women students on the banner (sharpies provided).  

When: March 1–April 7.

Where: iSuite in Evans Hall.

How much: Free.

Know this: The recruitment company Zippa estimates that 10% of all electrical engineers and 13.7% of all computer engineers identify as women. WECE is committed to closing this gap and encouraging more women to pursue ECE as a major by creating a positive, welcoming community for students in electrical and computer engineering. 

More info: Follow @wece_udel on Instagram for pictures of events, posts about our members and alumni and more.

Support women’s equality in education

Who: The Women’s Leadership Initiative at UD’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics.

What: A social media campaign dedicated to the displaced Afghan students pursuing their education at UD.

When: Wednesday, March 8 - International Women’s Day.

Where: Online.

Know this: In honor of International Women’s Day 2023, the Women’s Leadership Initiative at UD’s Lerner College will dedicate its social posts to the voices of a few of the displaced Afghan students pursuing their education at the University of Delaware. Fourteen Afghan women who fled their country when it fell to the Taliban in August of 2021 were welcomed by UD later that winter through the English Language Institute’s Women’s Initiative in Service and Education and are now matriculating undergraduate students at UD. 

More info: Support the students’ pursuit of education by donating online.

Attend a leadership conference

Who: The Women’s Leadership Initiative at UD’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and the Blue Hen Leadership Program.

What: Change Makers Leadership Conference.

When: Sunday, March 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Trabant University Center.

How much: $5-20.

Know this: There are many dynamic women leading on campus, whether it’s a student organization board member, residence hall assistant, athletic team lead, or in the classroom. This session will feature some key elements women use to grow along their leadership journey.  Student leaders will share their tips and techniques for juggling their student responsibilities and thriving as leaders.

More info: Register online.

Learn about women’s communication styles

Who: Blue Hen Leadership Program.

What: A workshop about women’s communications styles.

When: Wednesday, March 1, 5 p.m.

Where: Perkins Student Center, Collins Room.

How much: Free.

Know this: In honor of Women’s History Month, learn about women’s communication styles. Sometimes, one’s vision of a leader is the outspoken, or loudly-speaking, male-presenting individual, but that is not a requirement, and is not always the best in all situations. This workshop will highlight the strengths of women’s communication, how it can differ from men’s, and ways to empower a woman’s voice. 

More info: The workshop is open to all. RSVP online.

Learn about leadership in education

Who: Delaware Academy for School Leadership.

What: 5th Annual Women Leading Delaware Education Conference: “She Leads”

When: Wednesday, March 22. 

Where: Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington.

How much: $89-$99.

Know this: The Women Leading Delaware Education Conference is a networking and professional learning event for all leaders in K-12 and higher education settings. The conference serves to address issues specific to women and leadership, as well as provide a powerful opportunity for leaders to convene for an impactful day of connection, introspection and inspiration. Hosted by the Delaware Academy for School Leadership, housed within the School Success Center in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Delaware, along with the Delaware Department of Education, the conference schedule features multiple breakout session options and networking opportunities.

More info: Register online.

Listen to a podcast

Who: The Women’s Leadership Initiative at UD’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics.

What: Inspiring Women Leaders of Today and Tomorrow podcast.

Where: Listen on Spotify, Apple and Amazon.

Know this: In the Inspiring Women Leaders of Today and Tomorrow podcast, women share about the challenges and opportunities in their rise through leadership. There’s no straight path or one way to success, and the podcast spotlights various career journeys.

Join a campus rally in solidarity with women of Iran

Who: Iranian Graduate Student Association.

What: A campus rally in solidarity with women of Iran.

When: Wednesday, March 8, 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: South Green, in front of Morris Library.

Know this: The rally is taking place on International Women's Day and is one of many campus rallies happening at universities all over the globe.

Learn about concepts of beauty around the world

Who: ELI (English Language Institute) Women's Group and UD World Scholars Program

What: International Women’s Day panel and discussion.

When: Wednesday, March 8, 6-7:30 p.m.

Where: iHouse Living-Learning Community, Ray Street C

How much: Free.

Know this: Learn about how people perceive beauty in different countries and cultures and how cultural beauty standards affect girls and women worldwide. Engage in discussion with women from around the world and share your experiences.

More info: The discussion is open to all members of the UD community. Register online.

Learn about Anne Sullivan, teacher and educational innovator

Who: UD’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) program.

What: Anne Sullivan Macy: Teacher or Educational Innovator – online presentation.

When: Thursday, March 16, 2:15-3:45 p.m.

Where: Online.

How much: Free.

Know this: In honor of Women’s History Month, join Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) instructor Susan Watkins to learn more about the life and contributions of a truly remarkable educator, Anne Sullivan Macy. Most people associate Annie Sullivan with Helen Keller as her teacher and lifelong companion. Her influence, however, is more far-reaching than most people realize, and her educational style has had a lasting impact on today's students and teaching methods.

More info: Register online.