2026 Women’s History Month Celebration
March 2026
“Leading Change with Power, Healing, and Resilience”
Call for WHM 2026 Program Proposals
Fill out the following form and send it to msanford@umw.edu.
Women’s Basic Necessities Drive
March 1 – 31 | DONATION LOCATION: James Farmer Multicultural Center
Co-sponsored by UMW NAACP College Chapter, Women of Color, and the Latino Student Association
UMW NAACP CC, Women of Color, and the Latino Student Association are sponsoring a month-long drive with a local non-profit organization aiming to collect basic resources for women in the greater Fredericksburg area. We are asking for your donations for basic necessities including: food, clothes, and feminine hygiene projects. All donations will be given to the Empowerhouse, a local shelter and resource for victims of domestic violence.
Talking History with Kate Haulman
Wednesday, March 11 | 3:30 – 4:30 pm | Monroe 210
This event will be an informal conversation with Kate Haulman, the author of The Mother of Washington in the Nineteenth Century. Haulman’s new book is a history of nineteenth-century conceptions of motherhood as seen through the evolving public memory of Mary Washington. The book is structured around and tells the story of the construction of the Mary Washington Monument here in Fredericksburg. I think our students will find it extremely interesting, given the institutional name connection and the local connection to Fredericksburg.
Great Lives Lecture Series: Gertrude Bell
Thursday, March 12 | 7:30 pm | Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall
The Coldwell Banker Elite Lecture
Gertrude Bell’s years in 1920s Iraq marked the height of a remarkable life that bridged cultures and shaped nations. After a privileged upbringing and rigorous education, she devoted herself to exploring and understanding the Middle East, beginning with her travels through Arabia just prior to World War I.
Following the outbreak of the war, Bell served in the Cairo Bureau, worked closely with T.E. Lawrence, and held key intelligence positions in Mesopotamia, first in Basra and later in Baghdad, where she became chief intelligence agent for the British.
With the end of the war came the Cairo Conference in 1921, and her importance in the creation of the new country of Iraq: her role as friend and mentor to Prince Faisal politically and personally.
Through all of this, whether in England or the Middle East, Gertrude Bell experienced the dismissive, demoralizing attitudes of men towards women. Yet, confident in her own abilities, she was determined to win recognition for her work. She succeeded brilliantly, acknowledged by the Arabs as an “honorary man” and known throughout the world as an extraordinary Person.
Janet Wallach is the author of ten books and has written extensively about influential women. This lecture will be in conversation with Nabil Al-Tikriti, Professor of Middle East History at the University of Mary Washington.
Candice Chua Women in Physics Colloquium
Friday, March 13 | 3 pm | Jepson Science Building, Room 225
Co-sponsored by the Society of Physics Students
Candice Cu-Uy-Gam Chua will share her experience as a graduate student at MIT and will talk about her research into ultra-cold atomic physics working in the group of the 2001 Nobel Laureate Wolfgang Ketterle.
Women in STEM Panel
Friday, March 13 | 4:30 pm | Location TBD
Co-sponsored by WeSTEM and the Society of Physics Students
A panel of women working professionally in various STEM disciplines will answer questions from the audience about STEM careers, talk about challenges and successes throughout their journeys, and more! Questions will be solicited in advance, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the event.
Sisterhood & Success: A Women’s Business Showcase
Monday, March 16 | 5 pm | Chandler Ballroom, Cedric Rucker University Center
Sisterhood & Success: A Women’s Business Summit is a seminar designed to honor Black Women entrepreneurs in recognition of Women’s History Month. This seminar creates a space to honor impactful innovators across history, educate future business-owners and leaders, and spotlight local Women-owned businesses. Learn, network, and celebrate the power of sisterhood and success, because supporting Women in business is supporting the future of our communities.
Women’s History Month Major Performer: Carly Harvey
Saturday, March 21 | 7 pm | The Underground, Lee Hall
Based out of Washington, DC, Carly Harvey combines Blues, Jazz, Soul, and Indigenous American styles to produce a unique sound. She is the originator of the “Native Scat”—an improvisational fusion of a traditional Jazz scat with Native vocables. In addition to performing as a solo act, Carly is an entertaining and dynamic band leader.
According to DC Music Review, “Carly is grace, confidence, originality, and the right amount of sexy swagger all at once. She commands the stage with her voice and presence and draws you in intensely. Then she seems to end each song with an infectious smile of pure gratitude that beams so brightly into the audience.
In July 2018, Carly was featured in Big City Blues Magazine as one of the youngest Blues artists to watch. She is also a three-time DC Blues Society Battle of the Bands Winner and was proclaimed DC’s Queen of the Blues in 2016 by Dr. Nick Johnson of WPFW Radio. In 2021, Carly was nominated 7 times and won the WAMMIE award for Best Blues Artist. Most recently Carly was casted on season 28 of The Voice turning two chairs and choosing team Bublé.
Carly is an Eastern Band Tsalagi and Tuscarora descendant and it is her belief that Blues not only comes from the African American experience but is also directly influenced by Indigenous American Minor Pentatonic Melodies and Stomp Dance Songs. She offers lectures in schools, universities, and internationally to educate people about the music that gives her so much pride in her Afro-Indigenous heritage.
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Undergraduate Research Symposium
Wednesday, March 25 | 4 – 6 pm | Lee Hall, Room 411
Sponsored by the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
UMW students present their research on topics related to women’s, gender and sexuality studies as either oral presentations or in poster form.
Women’s History Month: Mixed Media Showcase
Monday, March 30 | 6 -9 pm | The Underground, Lee Hall
Co-sponsored by Latino Student Association, Women of Color, and For the Culture Clubs
This event is an art show where women on campus will be able to submit their art and showcase it at our Mixed Media Gallery! At this event, artists are also encouraged to sell their creative pieces, such as prints or other items.
All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For more information, please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at (540) 654-1044 or visit students.umw.edu/multicultural. Please email us at jfmc@umw.edu if you have any questions regarding disability-related accommodations.