UHCL faculty and staff participate in ‘A Day Without a Woman’

Wearing red in order to signify “revolutionary love and sacrifice,” and white in honor of women’s suffrage, faculty and staff from across the UHCL campus gathered in solidarity for “A Day Without A Woman.”

Following the Women’s March that took place Jan. 21, “A Day Without A Woman” served to further enlighten individuals of the importance of equality across the board, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religion. Individuals from around the world were invited to participate by avoiding shopping for the day unless at small, women-and minority-owned businesses, taking the day off from paid or unpaid work and/or wearing the color red.

Members of UHCL faculty and staff, who gathered together for a picture, also shared their personal experiences and reasons for participating in the “A Day Without A Woman,” strike. These are their stories and experiences.

Angela Howard

Professor of History

“I think readers should notice that there are issues that may be defined as women’s issues, but they go far beyond what happens to a woman, issues of human trafficking, safe food and water, education, as well as sexual harassment and reproductive rights, for example. Some of these issues seem to have more impact for women, but we all suffer because everybody suffers if not everyone is protected, if not everyone is given her or his rights, if not everyone has the right to speak. The dire current situation notwithstanding, in my last six decades, I have witnessed and participated in significant changes regarding women’s access to education and employment. I look around this university and see a presence of women established as faculty and in administration that makes me feel very proud.

In a time of uncertainty and anxiety, I see people gather together peacefully, purposefully, to make it known that they care about the impact of ‘making America Great again’ if that means reinstituting practices that are racist, sexist and hostile to the contribution that cultural diversity brings to our social development. The rising of peaceful political protest ennobles us all. Their passion and collective purpose to maintain and advance the gains of the past 70 years gives me courage to continue the quest for liberty and justice for all.”

Beth Hentges, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Psychology

Department Chair Psychology and Women’s Studies

“I attended today for two reasons. First, to stand in solidarity for all the women whose voices cannot be heard. Those who could not afford to miss work, those who risk being sanctioned for speaking.

Secondly, I attended because I want my daughters to be able to fully live their lives equal with men. I do not want their female gender identity to limit what they can accomplish because of arbitrary limits placed by others.

I remember as a child telling someone I wanted to be a vet. He kept correcting me and saying ‘you mean veterinarian’s assistant right?’ He refused to accept that a girl could be a veterinarian.”

 

 

 

Diana I. Bowen, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Communication

“I would simply add that today is about empowerment. As we consider the importance of honoring the women that came before us and paved the way for what we have today, we also look ahead at the immense amount of work that lies ahead.

Unfortunately, there have been countless times in which I have been reminded that there is still a lot of work to be done. Some difficult moments occur when hurtful or backward comments come from otherwise well-meaning people, friends, who might not consider the impact of their words or actions. That’s why a day like today is so important. It is nice to look around and reflect on the wonderful work of our allies and friends. It is also a day of action.”

Sharon K. Hall, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychology and Women’s Studies

“I didn’t know I could become a scientist. Women scientists who were my supervisors showed me what was possible. Hopefully, feminists who wish to be exemplars for other women will empower others and enable this kind of positive effect. A willingness to be seen and heard in solidarity with all women is something I like being a part of.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather Kanenberg, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Social Work

Director of Field Education

“I think it is important that we pause to recognize the millions of women across our nation who do not have the ability to strike today. Given the pay disparities and the employment gap, we know that many hundreds of thousands of women are living in a vulnerable state of economic insecurity.  I am fortunate and privileged enough that I could have probably coordinated things in a way to stay home today. Instead, I am wearing red today while at work, and I stand in solidarity with all of those women who are unable to strike today.”

Yolanda M. Barnes, M.S.

Assistant Director of Student Life – Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement

“I first must recognize the privilege I have to even consider striking today. It’s a choice for me, but for other folks who identify as women, joining this movement in a strike is not possible for multiple reasons. I decided not to strike because of a goal I’ve set for myself this year. For me, my greatest form of resistance is being present. Being seen, heard and respected. I wanted to be at work today in solidarity with my students and colleagues.

My first known experience with discrimination due to my gender expression was in high school. I was applying for a leadership position with an organization I was connected to. Before the final decisions were made, my advisor pulled me into their office to say I was not going to be considered as a candidate for this position. I asked why and was told, ‘You’re too strong of a woman. I don’t think they’re ready for you.’ As a 16 year old, I was devastated because I didn’t understand what that meant. I was hurt and cried when they officially told me I was not selected. That experience of being told I was too strong pushed me in a way I never expected. I’m strong because I have a set of core values that define me as a human being. I believe in the importance of living in a world that is equitable and justice-centered for all people. I do the work that I do because I strongly believe that I have the ability to create positive social change. If that’s too strong for you, I would suggest moving out of my way, because I still have a lot of work to do.”

Shreerekha Subramanian

Associate Professor of Humanities

Department Chair, Liberal Arts

“I teach HUMN and WMST courses here and am a committed feminist.

However, I would like to share with you about the beginnings of this identity for me. It did not start in a college classroom, or a high school classroom, or in the United States.  It started long before formal schooling of any kind for me. In fact, it came to me from an unschooled, fourth grade drop-out, a divorced single mother who could ill afford three square meals a day but learned to read, write, think and became more learned than most academics I know, a woman who learned through books sent to her from the local library that she reviewed, her payment being a chance to read all the books from around the world in translation. She was an autodidact, fierce, independent, one of a kind, and my founding inspiration in life.

This woman was my mother’s mother, my ammumma.  She is the first feminist I reckoned with very early in life.  Her message was not wrapped up in all the right language – she said, ‘Girl, your looks ain’t gonna take you too far in life and though I got the looks, it did me no good. You better learn all you can, get your university degree, and stand on your own two feet ALWAYS.’ I was able to grow up enough to hear her out, and so I did do just that – learned all I could, and am now empowered enough to speak, teach, and share.

Growing up into a woman was a given, but I knew I had to grow up into a feminist to honor my dreams and desires.”

Christine Walther, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Psychology

“I think it is important for the UHCL community to see that there are people on campus who are active in this area. I got involved because I want to do what I can to bring attention to women’s rights in an effort to create change. I hope that today will bring attention to continuing inequalities and encourage others to become part of the conversations and actions both on and off campus.”

 

 

 

 

 

Linda Contreras Bullock

Assistant Dean for Student Diversity

“I participated in ‘A Day Without A Woman’ because of my mother, who was born in 1920. She always encouraged me to step out of the little boxes that we are usually put in, as Latina women, from the old days. She encouraged me to do what I wanted to do. I was a wanderlust. I have lived in 12 countries, and she was always happy for me to travel. She never stopped me from leaving home, again, from leaving the states, again, and going around the world. During those years, when I was growing up, that was unheard of.

Angie Montelongo

Director of Orientation and New Student Programs

“It was important for me to participate in the ‘A Day Without A Woman’ strike. I had to be at work, but I wanted to wear red and show my support and solidarity for this effort. The hash tag I used yesterday was #istrikeforequalpay because it is 2017 and it is about time. That was why it was important to me. It was rewarding to be around a lot of like-minded people, and it was especially rewarding to see a couple of men. I was happy to see that it was not just women who are fighting for women’s equal rights.”