Pacific Index

Professor Lorely French offers some insight to the many events planned at Pacific to celebrate National Women’s History Month in March

   At Pacific University, celebrations are set to stretch throughout all of March in honor of National Women’s History Month. Not only is this time dedicated to appreciating the history of women, but it also looks towards all that’s yet to come. “As an older feminist,” shares Professor Lorely French with an easygoing smile. “Living through the last half of the 70s, the 80s, when we saw a lot of change and a lot of things happening, I just think it’s ever evolving.” Social change and feminism certainly are ever-changing pictures, but March is the perfect month to reflect on the past in order to prepare for the future. 

   “I love seeing that change and not being stuck,” Professor French says passionately. Professor French, alongside several other staff at Pacific, have taken it upon themselves to organize a month’s worth of events to acknowledge the history of women. “For me, being involved in these events, I learn new ideas…I might know the history of things, but I don’t know what’s going on now,” she humbly admits, sharing why she’s so invested in making sure March isn’t just another month on the calendar.

   “Last year we had a march,” Professor French reflects, digging through her calendar to pull up the list of events scheduled for this year. Following in the footsteps of last year, a march will once again take place next month, offering all students an opportunity to learn more about National Women’s History Month, as well as participate in a bit of advocacy. A singer will kick-off the event at 3 pm on March 4. Poster-making will then commence, and finally, the marching will begin. “Way, way back when people were looking for the votes in the 19^th century, there were always women’s marches,” Professor French describes. “As we’ve evolved, we’ve realized that we just want to welcome all genders.” The event has been restructured with this spirit in mind, hoping to ensure that everyone feels welcome at the march. 

   Days after the march, there will be an opportunity to engage in the opening night of an art exhibit featuring women artists on March 7. “In general, women’s art has not been recognized,” says Professor French. She hopes that the exhibit will help encourage women to not shy away from the arts and to instead pursue whatever ambitions they may have. She also points out that this exhibition features a special artist: Ceija Stojka. Stojka sadly passed in 2013, but she lived through the Romani Holocaust and was able to turn her experiences into art. She didn’t begin painting until she was well into her 50s, and is proof that it’s never too late to pick up a paintbrush. “For me, as an older person, it’s inspirational that you can really start anytime,” Professor French expresses with great admiration. The exhibition will open at Art at the Cave in Vancouver, Wash.

   “In the library, there’s an exhibit called ‘Women Rising’,” continues Professor French, listing off more ways Pacific is acknowledging the month. The exhibit shows an array of protest memorabilia dating from the 1970s to present day from the feminist activist, Mary Whitmore. A reception will follow in honor of this exhibit on March 12^th at 4 pm in the Tran Library. Professor French also pointed out a movie showing on March 19^th and hinted that there are many more events still under-wraps. 

   As March inches closer, Professor French shouldn’t just be considered as an organizer of events, but also as a source of inspiration. Her experience as a feminist makes her a deep well of knowledge with plenty of invaluable advice for young women at Pacific. “I would say find your own voices,” she urges. “We were good, and it’s nice to recognize, but our model wasn’t perfect either.” Just as Professor French humbly admitted, the feminist movement is ever evolving and the methods used in her time may not be what’s best now. “We have this tendency to say ‘oh, you don’t know how bad it was.’ But you know, we didn’t have the answer either,” she continues. “But I love it, that so much is going on and that people are still so involved in everything.”