This fall, UNC Greensboro continues diving into history of women’s suffrage and the historic and ongoing struggles of equity and equality in the United States through the event series “She Can, We Can: Beyond the Women’s Suffrage Centennial.”
A range of dynamic and diverse performances, discussions, and workshops reflect on the questions: What political advances and compromises resulted in the passage of the 19th Amendment, and how have these shaped issues of equity in our own time?
“The theme is more or less an honest look at the successes and failures of the past, and how they affect our culture today. While there are collaborative events all across campus, what is special to me are the individual conversations they generate, and the resulting commitment to future equity and equality,” said Professor of Music Steve Haines who, as provost faculty fellow, has served as the curator of the series.
Although the suffrage movement resulted in the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, examining the history and cultural context of the series helps us recognize how far we have come, and how far we still have to travel in the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in the nation.
“She Can, We Can” events will take place throughout the entire year, but below are some highlights for the fall semester. Many events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Note: As we are in the midst of a pandemic, please visit this website frequently for updated event information.
- Women Navigating 21st Century Academia
September 10, 10 a.m, EUC Auditorium
Hear from women across disciplines and career stages who have found success in academia despite societal and practical challenges. They discuss what solutions can be enacted to better address the needs of women to navigate and find success in the academy.
- She Can, We Can: Be an Entrepreneur Everywhere
September 14, 8 a.m., Elliott University Center Auditorium & Claxton Room
“She Can, We Can: Be an Entrepreneur Everywhere” is a free symposium that focuses on the idea that more individuals will succeed if they have business skills, knowledge, resources, and contacts. The symposium will feature successful entrepreneurs to give tips, learning opportunities around what makes successful entrepreneurs worldwide, development opportunities between students, emerging entrepreneurs, working entrepreneurs, business professionals and community organizations. More information is available here.
- Margaret Atwood with UCLS, originally planned for Sept. 24, has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 7:00 pm.
- Sitkovetsky and Friends Presents: Olga Kern, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Marjorie Bagley, Emi Hildebrand, Scott Rawls, Eric Koontz, Alexandra Johnson, Debra Pivetta
September 26, 4 p.m, UNCG School of Music, Tew Recital Hall
Following her first Greensboro event, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven Favorites, at the Tanger Center, international star pianist and Cliburn Competition gold-medal laureate Olga Kern is joined by violinists Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Marjorie Bagley, and Emi Hildebrand; violists Scott Rawls, Eric Koontz; cellist Jennifer Alexandra Johnston; and floutist Debra Reuter-Pivetta. The ensemble will present Beethoven’s Serenade op.25 for flute, violin, and viola, Debussy’s “String Quartet op. 10, and Beethoven’s Sonata op.24 F major, “Spring.” This is a ticketed event.
- Spokes & Votes: Pedaling the Path to Democracy for All
October 2, 9 a.m, Greensboro History Museum
Celebrate how bicycling transforms communities in a day-long celebration of the revolutionary impact of the bicycle on the women’s movement of the early 20th century. A community bike-ride of Greensboro’s three historical women’s colleges will be followed by a day-long celebration of this legacy, featuring a costume contest, a bike rodeo, a history exhibit, and much more! There will be something for everyone: make your own suffrage sash, get registered to vote, learn about the past, and go for a family-friendly bike ride.
- Shana Tucker, with UCLS
October 29, 8 p.m, Tew Recital Hall
Jazz, roots folk, acoustic pop, and R&B are united by singer-storyteller Shana Tucker. Her unique genre of “ChamberSoul,” offers a rich weave of music and narrative. A trained classical musician, Tucker has worked with Cirque du Soleil and received grants from the United Arts Council and Nevada Arts Council, and has been a panelist for the Washington Women in Jazz Festival. This is a ticketed event.
- Embracing the Rise of the Unconventional Woman
November 5, 3 p.m, TBD
“Embracing the Rise of the Unconventional Woman: On Otherhood, Hookups and Partner Cohabitation, Athleticism, and Careers in Skilled Trades” will be an interdisciplinary speaker and discussion panel that will explore traditionally non-normative life choices and the significance and impact of such choices on the lives of women. Hosted by Dr. Janet Boseovski (UNCG Psychology), the panel will bring together speakers who will discuss childfree living (Dr. Amy Blackstone, University of Maine), cohabitation and hookups (Dr. Arielle Kuperberg, UNCG Sociology), firefighting and powerlifting (Hannah Johnson, Greensboro), and careers in trades (Pam Frye, Frye Build and Design, Greensboro). Visit the UNCG Department of Psychology for more event information.
- The North Carolina Theatre for Young People Production: Flora & Ulysses by John Glore
Friday, Nov. 12 – Sunday, Nov. 21, UNCG Taylor Theatre
Can a little squirrel change the human heart? After getting sucked up by a vacuum cleaner, a (now hairless) squirrel is rescued by Flora Belle Buckman, a 10-year-old self-proclaimed cynic. She names him Ulysses and discovers he has been reborn as a superhero. Since 1962, UNCG’s North Carolina Theatre for Young People has performed live theater for more than two million children in Greensboro, Guilford County, across the state, and throughout the region. Taylor Theatre, located at 406 Tate Street, was designed with young audiences in mind, and each of the 475 seats provides an intimate view of the stage. This is a ticketed event.
- North Carolina Jazz Girls Day
November 13, 12 p.m, UNCG Recital Hall, Music Building
This day, open to middle and high school girls interested in playing or singing jazz, will include rehearsals, workshops, lectures, and mentoring that will culminate in an evening mentor concert. Please register at jazz.uncg.edu.
Many more events are planned for the spring for “She Can, We Can,” including the Margaret Atwood event, a visit from former U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Tretheway, actress Geena Davis, “Deaf Women Can: Then and Now,” an event showcasing the varied achievements of Deaf Women throughout history to present day, and more. See the “She Can, We Can” website for the full schedule.
Compiled by Dana Broadus and Susan Kirby-Smith, with copy drawn from the “She Can, We Can” website.
