Marching into Women's History Month

I believe there is something inherently wrong with "awarding" women one month of recognition. What about the other 11 months of the year? Are we to assume that these months (if not given as tokens to African-Americans and Native Americans) must then be National White Men's Month?

This aside, I'd like to tell you some of the really positive things happening in and around Women's History Month at UNC-CH.

First, being a resident assistant in Cobb hall at UNC means I can safely say the proclamation of Women's History Month in March has not fallen on completely deaf ears.

We RA's just love doing programs and bulletin boards so you can imagine the kind of excitement generated anytime a 'holiday' comes up, especially one that's so p.c. Sarcasm aside, WHM is especially important in my all-female dorm and its sister single-sex dorms where we are constantly assessing the needs of our women.

To aid all the area dorms, Wayne Thompson from Housing has received a CD Rom targeted towards Women's History Month. The CD has over 200 documents and 500 pictures and is available to all RA's to research. Also, each area office will be receiving other resource materials in their notebooks for WHM.

I am also proud to announce that next year on first floor Cobb we are having the first "Women's Issues Floor." This floor is targeted solely to the specific needs of its residents; men are not to be involved with any of the programs on this hall. All of the residents will be upperclasswomen. Each woman must go through an application process to determine eligibility for the floor. It is refreshing to see Housing taking a progressive step towards fulfilling the needs of its female students (who comprise over half of the population at UNC). Housing seems to be taking this idea seriously, and is very excited about the possibilities this program has to offer.

Another on-campus tie-in to WHM is that of the "Outstanding Undergrad/graduate Woman's Award Nominations." These nominations are to honor the University woman who has distinguished herself in any of the following: academia, athletics, leadership, character, or community service. Nomination forms are due to the WIN [Women's Issues Network] (216F, Suite B in the Carolina Union) or at the Union Desk by 5 p.m., March 7. Sponsored by the Women's Issue Network and Student Government.

All are welcome to the Women Leaders Reception on March 18 in Toy Lounge in Dey Hall at 5 p.m. where the recipients will be announced and the contributions of all UNC women will be celebrated. Please RSVP by March 7: 962-4959.

I would also like to mention the lesser-known fact that March 8th is International Women's Day. This day should remind us that we women are a culture unto ourselves. We must not forget our connection to our sisters across the seas-who often have struggles far surpassing ours here in the United States. The resources we fight for are there, but denied to us; in some countries the resources simply don't exist.

It would be phenomenal on the 8th if all the women of the world could come together for one moment-not separated by time or space- and be able to hold hands and talk together for awhile. You can email me at tchavis@unc.edu.