Women leading women

TAMUK honors

Women on International Women’s Day

Each year on March 8, International Women’s Day, women are recognized and celebrated around the world and on campus.

Student Engagement and Campus Life hosted the frst of what’s to be an annual event recognizing female student leaders on campus from diferent organizations and colleges.

Students recognized were nominated by faculty, staf or students on campus.

Miss TAMUK opened the event inviting Dr. Rito Silva, who was raised by a single mother and grandmother to speak. Silva said he will always be an advocate for women at Javelina Nation.

“We are women. We’re here. We’re going make our mark. We’re going to impact I don’t know how many future Javelina generations […] and that’s just something that I hope that these wom en, these nominees are able to recognize and that whatever they’re doing on campus will make a diference,” First Year and Family Engagement Coordinator Julianne Go mez said.

The event came after SECL noticed there were no events throughout Women’s History Month highlighting female stu dent leaders.

“It’s defnitely an hon- or. It feels that I’m getting recognized for the hard work I do but not only that I’m just a representation of all the amazing women that are in my sorority and every single thing they do because there is 40 other women who are completely and entirely involved in our organization and they are amazing,” Marketing major and Sisterhood Chairman for Theta Phi Alpha Angelica Alvarez said. Alvarez, a marketing intern for the Center for Student Success, says she leads by putting her best foot forward, being kind to all, leading by example and showing it’s okay to ask for help.

Javelina Cheerleader and General Business major Alyssa Trejo was also among the students recognized

“There’s so many strong women and more women are entering the workplace and it’s really just amazing I think that [women] need to be recognized especially because we work so hard to get where we are now and so it’s just awesome we have this,” Trejo said.

Student nominees also included from the Campus Activities Board - Sophia Yzaguirre, from Alpha Sigma Alpha - Ellen Henry, from Delta Phi Epsilon - Leigha Rodriguez, from Kappa Delta Chi

- Clarissa Cadena, from Student EngagementMicaela Gracia, from Rec Sports - Mercedes Macias, from Athletics - Jory Cervantes, from Women’s Track & Field - Vitiana Robert, from Student Government Association

- Jacquelyn Estelle, from Housing & Residence Life - Anika Martinez, from Student Health & Wellness - Esmeralda Gutierrez, from the College of Education & Human Performance - Juana Villanueva, from the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources - Eva Morgan, from the College of Business Administration - Mitzi De La Cruz, from the College of Engineering - Alicia Grey, and from the College of Arts & Sciences - Erial Hawkins.

Mujeres A Través Del Tiempo is a free and open to the public event that is taking place from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, in the Memorial Student Union Ballrooms on campus.

The mural was gifted to the university by artist Dr. Arnold Gonzalez. Gonzalez obtained his degree from this university, and his mural is valued at more than $100,000. The book was edited by Dr. Susan Roberson.

Inside this book, 16 South Texas women are featured who made an impact in the area. Thirteen of these women have ties to this university as professors or staf members and all these women were infuential in either music and entertainment or ranching, education and politics.

Dr. Manuel Flores, who wrote chapters in the book, believes the book showcases women who were part of the fabulous history of South Texas.

“The stories are excellent and inspirational, and they show the struggles many South Texan women had to endure in order to make a diference in this region,” he said. “It also shows that women rose above the dust storm of cattle drives and ranching and discrimination of all kinds in politics and education to be a part of this marvelous and historic area of our state.”

Dr. Pamela Wright was one of the authors who contributed to the book as well.

“This project was so enjoyable,” she said. “I had access to Dr. Clotilde Garcia’s archives. I spent hours reading through her papers, and actually touching documents she herself handled or created. It was such an honor to be able to tell a bit of her story in this way. She had such a significant impact here in South Texas.”

“As a woman myself, I understand how important it is to tell women’s stories because women’s voices are often silenced–especially the voices of minority women like Dr. Cleo,” Wright continued.

“She was such a pioneer, being one of the frst Mexican American women to become a medical doctor in Texas. It feels good to be a part of such an important project, recording the impact that women like her have had in the region.”

Wright believes it is important that we celebrate and or recognize Women’s History Month.

“For far too long, history has been written by men,” she said. “Women’s History Month wasn’t even ofcially recognized until 1987, which is extremely late when looking back through history. That’s exactly why it’s important to note the history written and made by women. We were making history all along, but it took a long time to recognize and celebrate that fact.”

Elisa Guerra, manager of operations and planning for the College of Arts and Sciences, is part of the event’s planning committee.

“This book provides an opportunity to showcase how women in South Texas found their place in avenues long dominated by men,” Guerra said. “Individually, and taken together, the chapters showcase the contributions made by women and highlight their strengths and talents.”

Guerra believes that the book and mural impact not only students but especially female students.

“Both works serve as reminders of those who came before us and the paths they blazed, inspiring future generations of Javelina women to leave their mark,” she said.

The mural is displayed in the Ballrooms of the Memorial Student Union ballroom.