By Bethany Flanagan
Managing Editor

March was Women’s History Month. It was recognized by the Intercultural Life Office,
which sponsored the second annual WomenSpeak. At 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, the program was celebrated at the PSU with refreshments,
fellowship, talents and testimonies.

“The purpose of the program was to provide an opportunity for the student body to come together and to celebrate the contributions that women have made to history, to learn about current world issues that women are dealing with, and to celebrate womanhood,” sophomore student director of WomenSpeak and social work major Elisabeth Gruber said.

“This isn’t a feminist event to say more power to women or to say that women are entitled to have a history month because of their superiority,” said junior Carissa Lopez, an intercultural studies and Spanish double major. “Clearly you could have a men’s history month as well.”

Lopez continued, “The events going on inspired men and women and challenged them to seek to impact their world in positive ways and for all humankind.”

Even though there are twice as many female students on campus than male students, more men hold positions of authority than women.

“We want to get people thinking and appreciating,” Gruber said. “I want to get them thinking about what it really means to be a woman, what Christian womanhood ought to look like, how to find one’s voice on this campus and to give students a chance to share their voices at the event itself.

“I hope that students walked away with an appreciation for the rich history women have contributed over the years.”

“Finding one’s voice has to start internally before it can be shown externally through actions,” Gruber said.

The WomenSpeak sponsors hope that each woman on campus understands that she has a voice that needs to be heard, and not just during Women’s History Month.

“We are at a pivotal point in our lives,” Gruber said. “It’s in these coming years that we discover ourselves and find who we’ll be for the rest of our lives. With confidence and wisdom, we can move forward into our futures and ready our voices to be heard so that which we speak will have greater impact on the world around us.”

“We should recognize the areas of need where we live and move to act in ways that are loving and compassionate,” Lopez said. “Gain a greater understanding of who you are in Christ and how he has called you into ministry and to be living witnesses of his love and mercy. Look for the gifts and talents of others and encourage them and uplift them to use those gifts towards the uplifting of the kingdom.”

“For next year’s event I hope even more women will get excited about the event and be willing to be a part of WomenSpeak,” Gruber said.