This Women’s History Month, Baldwin Wallace’s University’s Women’s Center and Women in STEM program hosted a variety of events to celebrate the month.

One of these events was the first-ever “Bracelets and Bonds” event that took place on Mar. 3. Participants got to make bracelets, make new friends and chat in the Women’s Center.

Then, on Mar. 24, the Women’s Center held its Women in STEM Speaker Series, where famous women in STEM fields attended and spoke to the attendees about what STEM and their identities as women meant to themselves and to others, and how they manage with obstacles in their careers. 

The Women’s Center was started as a place for students to rest, study and learn about women’s health, history and to celebrate their accomplishments. The Women’s Center also offers services like The Sex Health Series that talks about women’s sexual health and history, free hygiene products free to use that are donated by the Women’s Center, and many other services. 

Women in STEM was started about three years ago by student alumna Kyla Koós, and since, the program has built a focus around creating an inclusive and supported space for all woman students with mentorship, academic questions and raising awareness about women’s issues. In the past, Women in STEM has partnered with the Women’s Center to hold many events, such as a rock painting event and honoring graduating seniors by giving them their cords. 

“We hope that our events like these are good for strengthening friendships new and old, and the teaching and mentorship aspect of these events, so we can answer any questions they may have about academia. That’s what I hope to accomplish,” Marissa Brigger, treasurer of Women in STEM, said.

Brigger said that being able to hold a role in the program is exceptionally meaningful to her, because she’s able to more fully appreciate the efforts of past women in academics and their impact on the present day.

“Women’s History Month is important because, with my identity as a woman in STEM, it is a time of year where we can recognize the previous pioneers of the many different fields and what they’ve done to break those barriers that women have faced in academia,” Brigger said. “And being able to hold space for that is very meaningful.”