Women’s History Month celebrates the contributions women have made to the United States and recognizes the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.

Public Fresno State events include:

March 2-31: Akoma Art Exhibit: Celebrating Black Women Artists, sponsored by the Africana Studies Program, Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery, Fresno State Library, curated by Vanessa Addison-Williams and Tyler Alcé. Akoma is the Adinkra symbol for “heart,” signifying the heart of a community-based practice and vision that Black women artists offer to uplift Black women, culture and history. Contact: Dr. Meta Schettler, mschettl@csufresno.edu.

March 6: Opening reception for the Akoma Art Exhibit, honoring commissioned paintings by Kambrya Bailey (“Restoration Song: Labor of Love”) and Britney Holman (“Heart of a Nation”), from 5 to 8 p.m. in Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery, Fresno State Library. Refreshments and free copies of the new Africana Studies zine, “I Am Because We Are,” will be available. Sponsored by the Africana Studies Program. Contact: Dr. Meta Schettler, mschettl@csufresno.edu.

March 7: “Bold Stories, Real Impact: A Look Inside Rippin Sindher’s Films,” presented by Cineculture, 5:30 p.m. in the Peters Education Center Auditorium at the Student Recreation Center. The screening includes six films by Selma native and film director Rippin Sindher, followed by a discussion with the filmmaker. Contact: Dr. Mary Husain, mhusain@csufresno.edu.

March 11: Identity poetry workshop series, led by master of fine arts graduate Angelina Leanos, from noon to 1 p.m. at Thomas Building, Room 110. Contact: Kathy Moua, kathybk@mail.fresnostate.edu.

March 11: Poetry event, sponsored by the American Indian Programs and Services Team at the Cross Cultural and Gender Center, noon to 1 p.m. at Thomas Building, Room 110. Sessions will focus on indigenous cultural beliefs, heritage and traditions to empower students to discuss how heritage and culture impact their lives and identities. Students can customize their personal poetry journals through a guided presentation by master of fine arts graduate and Cross Cultural and Gender Center student staff member Angelina Leanos with worksheets, writing utensils, art materials and journals (while supplies last). Registration link. Contact: Kathy Moua, kathybk@mail.fresnostate.edu.

March 14: “Bella” movie showing, presented by Cineculture and the Jewish Studies Program, from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. at the Peters Education Center Auditorium at the Student Recreation Center. By director Jeff Lieberman, “Bella” chronicles the political career of American political activist Bella Abzug. A discussion with Lieberman follows the film. Contact: Dr. Mary Husain, mhusain@csufresno.edu, or Dr. Jill Fields, jfields@csufresno.edu.

March 18, Forensic anthropology lab tour with faculty Dr. Chelsey Juarez, presented by the Anthropology Department, 2:30 to4:30 p.m. in McLane Hall, Room 212. Contact: Dr. Dvera Saxton, dsaxton@mail.fresnostate.edu. 

March 19: “He(art) of Rest Sound Bath with Sound for the People,” presented by the Africana Studies Program and Sound for the People. Enjoy an immersive sound bath in a space honoring the work of Black women artists, followed by a tea service by local apothecarist Meketta Renee. Contact: Dr. Nkenna Onwuzuruoha, nonwuzuruoha@csufresno.edu.

March 20: Special reception for the Akoma Artists with Benjamin Boone and Faylita Hicks, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery, Fresno State Library. Refreshments, live music, dynamic spoken word. Sponsored by the Africana Studies Program. Contact: Dr. Meta Schettler, mschettl@csufresno.edu.

March 27: “Amplify Your Heart,” paint and sip night with Kambrya Bailey, 7 to 9 p.m. at Tower Blendz, 802 E. Olive Ave., Fresno. Free smoothie and paint supplies, RSVP required for the 20 available spots. Sponsored by the Africana Studies Program. Contact: Dr. Meta Schettler, mschettl@csufresno.edu.  

March 27: “Sankofa Gardens Workday,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Fresno State Horticulture Nursery (3150 E. Barstow Ave.). Join Minkah Taharkah from the California Farmer Justice Collaborative at a spring land prep workshop for a new Africana Studies garden plot. RSVP. Contact: Dr. Meta Schettler, mschettl@csufresno.edu.

March 27: Reproductive Justice Tea, a discussion on reproductive justice and activism with tea and pastries, presented by the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Fresno State Library Room 3212, featuring local reproductive justice-focused community organizations. Contact: Dr. Larissa Mercado-Lopez, lmercadolopez@mail.fresnostate.edu.

March 28: “Yasmeen’s Element” (2024), presented by Cineculture, 5:30 p.m. at the Peters Education Center Auditorium at the Student Recreation Center. “Yasmeen’s Element,” by Pakistani-American director Amman Abbasi, is the story of Yasmeen, a student who is eager to learn. She is helped and sometimes hindered by those she encounters, a parable for what women’s education can be in an unstable place. A discussion with Abbasi follows the film. Contact: Dr. Mary Husain, mhusain@csufresno.edu.

March 28-April 5: “Antigone,” presented by University Theatre. The conflict between justice and law rises to poetic heights in Anne Carson’s innovative translation of Sophocles’ classic tale of civil disobedience. Woods Theater (Speech Arts). Event times. Tickets are $10-$20. Contact: Miguel Gastelum, mgastelum@mail.fresnostate.edu.