Women and Gender Studies Archives

Women's History Month 2010

2010 was the 30th Anniversary of the National Women's History Project. Often, women in history are left out of books, so the  theme was Writing Women Back Into History to celebrate and commemorate the incredible women from history who made this world a better place, from ecology to art, sports to politics. 

Even when recognized in their own times, women are often included in the history books. Women's History Month is a way to celebrate the achievements of historic women. USU celebrated these women by inviting students to dress up as their favorite feminist role model from literature, history or pop culture and explain on the runway why their character was chosen. Read more here. Watch a video about the event here.

A special thanks to Dr. Christy Glass for a great presentation on writing women back into history. The costumes of students were great tributes to the women we all admire, especially Ted Pease, the best Julia Child ever! A special thanks to Dr. Brenda Cooper, the heart behind the event! Read about the event here.

The Runway Awards:
1. Best in Show
Lady Gaga: Kate Auman- One night Anniversary Inn ($100)
2. Crime Fighters—Sleuths and Warrior Women
Anne Bonny & Mary Read, infamous pirates: Jessica Black and Rebecca Moses. Two, Firehouse Pizza $20 coupons
Sacagewea: Annie Adams. Angie’s $15
Wonder Woman, Ben Hougaard: Border’s $15
3. Red Carpet Strutters—Starlets and Strumpets
Olive, Little Miss Sunshine: Cassie Christensen. El Sol $15
4. The Social Justice League—Crusaders for Women’s and Civil Rights
Ruby Bridges, first student integrate New Orleans school: Alecia Mendez. Best Buy $50
Jo Freeman, feminist activist: Kasey Van Dyke. Revive Haircut, Hollie Jones
Mami Till Mobley, mother of Emmitt Till: Bernadette Caldwell. Firehouse Pizza $20 coupon
Evita Peron: Haley Phippen. Sol Essentials Pedicure $40
Meena Keshwar Kamal: Fresh Market Gift Basket, Vicki Snow
5. Wild Women of Rock ‘n Roll
Spice Girls: Bailey McMurdie, Noelle Johansen, Erika Rasmussen, Parker Dahl, Stephanie Zollinger. Old Navy Five, $5 coupons; Logan Lanes, five free games
Tina Turner: Symone Caldwell. Crumb Brothers $20
6. Game Face—Athletes
Maria Sharapova, Kayla Clark. El Sol $15
7. Unapologetic Heroes
Cleopatra: Josh Rosen: Fresh Market Gift Basket
Rory Gilmore, Gilmore Girls, April Larsen. El Sol $15
Alice in Wonderland Staci Perry. Crumb Brothers $20

Women Rock the Runway in photos:

Student Staci Perry dressed as Alice in Wonderland.

Runway directors: Dr. Brenda Cooper as Frida Kahlo and Dr. Ted Pease as Julia Child.

Dr. Cooper with the Runway winner, Kate Auman as Lady Gaga.

Trent, a student dressed as Dottie, a WWII basbeball player.

Starlets and Strumpets such as Lucille Ball.

The Warrior Women category waiting to be judged.

Judges:  Mark Damen as a Greek goddess and Maure Smith as Joan of Arc.

Left to right: Storee Powell (Pippi Longstocking), Dr. Ted Pease (Julia Child), Dr. Brenda Cooper (Frida Kahlo), Jess Larsen (Audrey Hepburn), Mindy Haws (Aretha Franklin).

Storee Powell as Pippi Longstocking with husband Jim.

The WGS team from left to right: Mindy Haws, Jess Larsen holding Wonder Woman Barbie, and Storee Powell.

Student Haley Phippen as Evita Peron.

Annie Adams dressed as Sacagawea.

Anne Bonny, Charlie's Angels and Amelia Earhart.

Wonderwoman, also known as Ben Hougaard.

Thanks to our amazing co-sponsors: GLBTA, Dept. of History, Dept. of JCOM, Honors Program, MC Library, Dept. of Sociology, Women and Gender Research Institute, Women's Resource Center.

Thank you to the Logan donor's who gave the prizes!! Angie’s Anniversary Inn Best Buy Border's Caffe Ibis Crumb Brothers El Sol Einstein Bagels  Firehouse Pizza The Flower Shoppe Fran Beaded This Fresh Market Juniper Logan Lanes Logo Shop Old Navy Olive Garden Old Grist Mill Hollie Jones/Revive Salon The Italian Place Kristen Mathesius/Sol Essentials Tummi Yummi's Subway

Thanks to these Student Volunteers:
Kelsha Bundy, Jill Little, Courtnie Packer, Nate Pratt, Katie Reeves Pickett, Josh Rosen, Satenik Sargsyan

Women's History Month 2009

The theme for 2009 was the Reinventing Barbie Bash because it was the 50th Anniversary of Barbie. USU students were invited to submit America's favorite doll in an altered state to challenge gender stereotypes and societal norms like body image and careers based on gender. Read more about the purpose of the event here. Also, read about the "Retro Bake Sale" the WGS team put on as a fundraiser for the Barbie Bash here. The WGS team wore bright pink Barbie shirts to 'take back' the color stolen by Barbie.

Barbies were displayed in the Merrill-Cazier Library. See here for KSL coverage of the displayed Barbies. Winners were chosen in several different categories, including a People's Choice Award. The event started with Dr. Titchener's enthusiastic speech on Women and History. Next, Dr. Jeannie Thomas spoke about Barbie still kick’n at 50! Winners received gifts donated from local Logan businesses.

The HIGHLIGHT of the event was Dr. Brenda Cooper's FABULOUS makeover by Gary Arave who was a renowned make artist who worked on Broadway for 10 years. Brenda was made-up to look like a real-life Barbie to show how absurd the extreme hair and makeup of Barbie is.

See the Reinvented Barbies:

The WGS team who put on the Barbie Bash:

A former Broadway artist, Gary Arave, makes up Brenda Cooper as a real-life Barbie as Maure Smith watches.

Watch out Barbie, Brenda is giving you a run for you plastic money.

Dr. Ted Pease, a man well-dressed in pink, receives a gift from WGS students.

WGS students with Dr. Cooper at the Bash.

WGS team member Jess Larsen getting her plastic on.

Gary also made over the WGS team. Amy Mattson gets her 'face' on.

Amy Mattson with her Barbie face and shirt.

Katie Reeves with mascot Barbie.

Barbie makeovers for the WGS crew to highlight the absurdity of Barbie.