Women's History Month

The National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA) proudly presents the 2025 theme “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” This theme celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. Through their efforts, they have served as an inspiration for all generations — both past and present.

Importance & Relevance 

Throughout history, the process of information sharing has been a powerful catalyst for change. An honest, open examination of new insights and knowledge can create a framework for collaboration. This, in turn, promotes the well-being of groups, businesses, communities, and society as a whole. From classrooms to boardrooms, and from grassroots movements to global initiatives, women educators and leaders have played a pivotal role in nurturing minds and inspiring transformative action. The 2025 theme spotlights the contributions women have made to the American educational system, the free marketplace of ideas, and the very fabric of our democracy.

Goals & Objectives

• Honor: Recognize the achievements and contributions of women educators, mentors, and leaders.
• Inspire: Motivate all generations to pursue education and leadership roles.
• Educate: Raise awareness about the unheralded legacies of women from every walk of life, highlighting their unique contributions and diverse backgrounds, including socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, culture, abilities, and personal experiences.
• Unite: Bring together communities to explore, share, and celebrate women’s history and achievements.
• Envision: Create a blueprint for the future that honors our foremothers and builds bridges for the next generation of women.

March 2025

• Alice Wright Franzke Feminist Award Reception - Tuesday, March 4, 4 to 5:15 p.m., Sarita Kenedy East Law Library, Law Alumni Room. (Sue Nash, Ph.D.)
• Merienda Marianista - Wednesday, March 5, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Contreras Lounge. Center for Inclusive Excellence. (Julieta Sanchez). Join us for Merienda Marianista during Women's History Month! We invite the St. Mary's Community to build fellowship and take a snack break to celebrate our Marianist family spirit. All are welcome to stop by and enjoy pan dulce and coffee. The Merienda Tradition is a time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. Merienda is a common term in Europe and Latin America that refers to an afternoon snack or a simple bocadillo, fruit, yogurt or some sort of sweet bread or pastry.
• A Celebration of Women in STEM - Thursday, March 6, 6 to 7:30 p.m., University Center, Mengler Conference Room. School of Science Engineering and Technology. (Katherine Sauter)
• Silencing Biases in Leadership Panel Discussion - Tuesday, March 18, 9:45 to 11 a.m., Alkek 107. Greehey School of Business (Prof. Camilla Montoya)
• Merienda Marianista - Wednesday, March 19, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Contreras Lounge. Center for Inclusive Excellence. (Julieta Sanchez). 
• Women in Law Leadership Awards - Wednesday, March 19, 4:30 p.m., Sarita Kenedy East Law Library, Law Alumni Room. School of Law, 4th Court of Appeals. (Sr. Grace Walle, F.M.I., D.Min.)
• Coffee and Conversations: A Panel of St. Mary's Alumni and Current Criminal Justice Practitioners - Thursday, March 20, 1 to 4 p.m., University Center, Conference Room B. Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology. (Tanya Grant, Ph.D.)
• 4th Annual Feminist of Color Appreciation Dinner - Thursday, March 20, 6 to 9 p.m., University Center, Alumni Conference Room. Women's Affairs Council. (Suji Luna, Jayden Mendez)
• Wisdom & Warriors: Celebrating Native American Women and the Women in Your Life - Friday, March 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., University Center, Mengler Conference Room. Native American Student Association and Department of Communication Studies. (Prof. Kathe Lehman-Meyer). Interactive 15-minute segments will introduce guests to traditions of native American women. Most Native American organizations are represented by a specific flower, and guests will learn more about the important role that flowers may play in their celebrations. Guests will be able to pick up a flower and write a note to celebrate a woman in their own lives who have made a difference for them.
• Art Exhibit Opening Reception Featuring Artwork by Thelma Acevedo - Friday, March 21, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Blume Library, 2nd Floor Art Exhibit area. Art and Fine Arts Department. (Prof. Brian St. John)
• Blessing of the Women - Feast of the Annunciation - Tuesday, March 25, 9:45 to 10:15 a.m., Barrett Memorial Bell Tower. Office of Inclusive Excellence and University Ministry. (Sr. Grace Walle, F.M.I., D.Min.) Breakfast tacos and refreshments will be served.
• Empowering Latina Narratives - Thursday, March 27, 3 to 4 p.m., University Center, Conference Room B. Department of English Literature & Language (Margaret Cantú-Sánchez)

The 2025 St. Mary's University Women’s History Month Committee:

Faculty
Margaret Cantú-Sánchez, Ph.D.; Mallory Coley, Ph.D.; Janet Dizinno, Ph.D.; Prof. Diane Duesterhoeft; Tanya Grant, Ph.D.; Erika Grimm, Ph.D.; Amanda Hill, Ph.D.; Lesly Krome, Ph.D.; Prof. Kathe Lehman-Meyer; Sr. LaReine-Marie Mosely, Ph.D.; Prof. Camilla Montoya; Sue Nash, Ph.D.; Leona Pallansch, Ph.D.; Nanci Reiland, D.N.P.; Belinda Román, Ph.D.; Prof. Brian St. John; Angeli Willson, Ph.D. (Coordinator)

Staff
Brissa Campos Toscano; Vanessa Jimenez; Julieta Sanchez; Kat Sauter; Stella Silva, Ph.D.; Delia Von Muldau; Sister Grace Walle, F.M.I., D.Min.

Students
Nicole Estrada, Suji Luna, Jayden Mendez

Community
Diana Alcocer; Richard Dancer; Chief Justice Rebeca Martinez

Affiliated Students, Faculty and Staff