Luther College celebrates Women’s History Month in March with lectures and music

DECORAH, IOWA—Luther College will celebrate Women’s History Month in March with a series of events, which include lectures and a Center Stage Series concert. A Luther alum will return to give a talk on her book. 

“The identity studies department wants Women’s History Month at Luther to be intentional in showing how it intersects with Black History Month and Asian and Pacific Islander History Month through our events,” said Char Kunkel, head of the identity studies department at Luther. “We want to honor women’s history, but show how it intersects with other identities.” 

“People ask, ‘Why Women’s History Month?’ The month celebrates what women are doing now, but to me the stress on history is even more important,” said Kate Narveson, professor of English, who helped organize Women’s History Month events. “We need reminding that our opportunities as educated women in the US are a privilege not known by most women, won by brave and unfinished efforts to dismantle restrictive structures and imagine equal lives.”

Women’s History Month at Luther includes the following events: 

Grace Ji-Sun Kim, an ordained Presbyterian minister and professor at Earlham School of Religion in Indiana, will give the Sihler Lecture, “Theology of Visibility,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. In 2021, she published “Invisible,” a book on theology; throughout her career she has published and edited more than 20 books. Kim is also the host of Madang, a podcast which discusses topics such as Christianity, religion and culture. At 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall Kim will speak at a chapel service honoring International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8.  

Mary Jane White, poet and translator, will give the talk “In Love with Another’s Words: The Translator as the Literary Ambassador” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, in the Nansen Room of Dahl Centennial Union followed by a Q&A with Lise Kildegaard, professor of English at Luther. White translated the work of Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva, who was called one of the greatest poets of the 20th century by the American poet Joseph Brodsky. 

The all-women tenThing Brass Ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall as part of the Luther Center Stage Series. The 10-piece brass ensemble formed in 2007 and performs selections from composers like Mozart, Bernstein and Bartok. 

Lydia X. Z. Brown will give the Price Distinguished Lecture, “Until We All Are Free: Disability Justice Interventions in Queer, Trans, Feminist Movements,” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. Brown is a queer, disabled and East Asian advocate, organizer, attorney, strategist and writer. They also serve as the director of public policy at the National Disability Institute and are the founding executive director of the Autistic People of Color Fund. The event is co-sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio. ASL interpretation will be provided. Attendees should also refrain from wearing any fragrances to this lecture. 

Luther will continue to celebrate women’s history in April with a talk by alumna Sheri Brenden, class of 1981, about her book “Break Point: Two Minnesota Athletes and the Road to Title IX” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. Her book focuses on two Minnesota high school athletes and gender equity in girls’ sports before the passage of Title IX. One of the athletes is Sheri Brenden’s sister, Peg Brenden, class of 1976, who will also speak at the event. A reception will follow. 

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.