Brittany Salley-Rains took some time for herself on International Women’s Day, Monday, playing with a parachute and enjoying the afternoon sun on the Oval. (Greg Lindstrom/Montana Kaimin)

UM plays parachute games for Women’s Day

by Kate Whittle | March 9, 2010 | Montana Kaimin

Monday was the 99th annual International Women’s Day. The University of Montana Women’s Resource Center celebrated by playing parachute games on the Oval.

Sandra Nokes, outreach coordinator at the Women’s Center, was wearing a “Clit Power” button pinned to her jacket.

“They’re not doing a march this year, so we thought we’d celebrate,” Nokes said. “The way that makes the most sense to us is a parachute.”

The day was first observed in Europe in 1911 in the midst of the suffragette movement, according to the International Women’s Day Web site. Throughout the years, the day has been used to call attention to women’s issues like poverty, health care and domestic violence.

The Women’s Day Web site listed events for hundreds of countries, including special yoga classes in Japan, a women’s cycle rally in Nepal and a film night in Fiji.

President Barack Obama spoke at a White House reception attended by a number of women, including American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

March is Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day isn’t the only lady-related event. The Women and Gender Studies department is screening “Mardi Gras: Made in China,” Wednesday at 4 p.m. in Liberal Arts room 302. The documentary traces Mardi Gras beads from New Orleans to the factories where Chinese girls sew beads for a living.

Member Robyn Hegland said the Women’s Center has several events planned for spring, including “This Night of Mayhem and Creativity,” a music and art night on April 14.

Women’s Resource Center members meet Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in UC 207, no ovaries needed. 

“Women and men are welcome,” said Hegland.

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

This story has been viewed 186 times.