This month, community colleges celebrated Women’s History Month, or, as some like to call it, Womyn’s Herstory Month. “Herstorically,” in this country, the celebration began as a week-long event in 1982. Five years later, it obtained month-long status.

Women are celebrated during March in the United States, as well as in the United Kingdom and Australia. Plus, since 1911, International Women’s Day also happens on March 8. So, it’s an all-around wonderful month for honoring women.

Last year, the theme was “Valiant Women of the Vote” to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the suffragette movement. This year’s theme? “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced,” which continues last year’s call with some extra pizzaz.

It’s the time to recognize women’s contributions to our country, our world… and our community colleges!

A picture of Rosie the Riveter that says, "Herstory Month" for Women's History Month.

1. Women’s History Month Icons Celebrated at Community Colleges

Women Taking Office

seeroxburycc posts on Instagram for Women's History Month.

We are thrilled for the opportunity to work with a Mayor who identifies as a Black Woman. What an inspiration to our students at RCC.

The impact of your role in our city has only begun to unfold. We look forward to working alongside you to provide education and life skills in one of the most underserved communities of Boston. 

Congratulations Mayor Janey!

#bospoli #boston #cityofboston #seercc #communitycollege
Congratulations Mayor Janey! From @seeroxburycc on Instagram.

Roxbury Community College in Massachusetts celebrates swearing in Mayor Kim Janey on March 24. The 55th Mayor of Boston, she’s also the first woman and the first black mayor in the city’s history.

According to The Boston Globe,

“Unemployment rates for residents of color spiked higher at the start of the pandemic,” Janey said. “Over the past year, the same communities hardest hit by the public health crisis have experienced the highest rates of housing and food insecurity. I will address these economic disparities with new urgency to reopen Boston’s economy with equity.”

Kim Janey sworn in as acting mayor of Boston; ‘Today is a new day,’ The Boston Globe

Women Teaching, Taking Charge

marylandeducators writes on Instagram.

March is Women’s History Month! Today, MSEA celebrates First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. She is the first professor FLOTUS in history and is a lifelong educator. Dr. Biden earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in 2007. And she has most recently taught as a professor of writing at Northern Virginia Community College. The First Lady uses her teaching experience to advocate for educators, students and community colleges. 

“Teaching isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am.” – Dr. Jill Biden

#JillBiden #WomensHistoryMonth #Advocate #Education
“Teaching isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am,” says Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady and community college instructor. @marylandeducators on Instagram

Women’s History Month is also a great time to celebrate community college teacher, ed advocate and First Lady Dr. Biden. And since we’re taking a moment to fangirl, here are some other amazing quotes from our First Lady about the power of community colleges:

“As a community college professor for over twenty years, I’ve seen the determination, resilience and dedication of countless students. Regardless of circumstances, they show up. They work hard. They believe anything is possible.”

Dr. Jill Biden

“Women who are interested in pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees – especially in STEM fields – benefit from starting at a community college. They offer an affordable education, with flexible schedules and degrees close to home.”

More from Dr. Jill Biden… Because Women’s History Month ????

Women Taking Over New York!

@TheObserverNY on Twitter for Women's History Month.

Students, faculty and staff at SUNY Jamestown Community College commemorated Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. They constructed a tile-by-tile mosaic in tribute to Jamestown native and entertainment legend Lucille Ball.
Jamestown Community College celebrates their local entertainment legend, Lucy, Lucy, Lucy! @TheObserverNY on Twitter.

Students at Jamestown Community College and throughout the SUNY system asked some powerful questions this month.

“What if we honored women’s history the way we honored professional athletes?”

“What if a month after the Super Bowl, we celebrated super women?”

Thus, the 2021 Women’s Empowerment Draft was born. It’s a state-wide collaboration featuring 32 colleges and universities. Students honored trailblazers, living legends and lives lost too soon by emblazoning iconic women on jerseys and trading cards.

Students throughout the state paid homage to women like Sojourner Truth and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. They also commemorated lives that were lost, including Breonna Taylor.

Author’s note: This video makes me cry in a good way every time I watch it. Definitely check out students honoring these Women’s History Month icons!

Food Break!

These Des Moines Area Community College students are cooking up a feast… With a side of humor! Doesn’t everyone love green eggs and ham?

dmaccpix posts on Instagram.

Spotted: Students at the Iowa Culinary Institute at #DMACC learning a thing or two! ????‍???? ???? @icichefs

???? @chefdeanluttrell 

#college #communitycollege #DMACCBears #gobears #iowa #ia365 #alliowa #iowagrams #thisisiowa #aroundiowa #culinaryarts #culinaryschool #cheflife #chef #inthekitchen #health #wellness #maskupia #coveryourbearface #DMACCday
Learning with Thing 1 and 2. @dmaccpix on Instagram.

2. Fundamental Faculty of Women’s History Month



Normandale Community College
@normandale_cc posts on Twitter for Women's History Month.

Every month is Women's History Month! Normandale's powerhouse and all-female cabinet includes seven smart, talented women with diverse expertise. #womenshistorymonth #banbossy #womeninhighered  #normandaleproud 

@DrJoyceEster
 
@JodeeMccallum
 
@JillBoldenow
 
@DaraHagen
Every month is Women’s History Month at Normandale Community College, where women take the lead in higher ed. @normandale_cc on Twitter.
Elgin Community College
@ElginCommColl posts on Twitter.

Irina Del Genio, Ph.d., associate dean of liberal, visual, and performing arts, reflects on her experience as an immigrant for Women's History Month. Read her story.
While Associate Dean of Liberal, Visual and Performing Arts Dr. Irina Del Genio can’t host the Immigrant Women’s Roundtable this year, she can share her story.
@ElginCommColl on Twitter.

Elgin Community College shares Dr. Irina Del Genio’s moving story and how she immigrated to this country. The professor says,

“No immigration story is the same, yet they all bear witness to a great sacrifice made by women for their children. I am not trying to diminish or overlook the role of fathers – I am simply stating that every immigrant story reminds us about mothers’ sacrifice. Mothers who are willing to travel to unfamiliar dangerous places, work low-paying jobs, leaving everything behind them to rebuild their lives from scratch, so their children have a chance at a better life. This always comes at a huge price.”

Dr. Irina Del Genio, CELEBRATING IMMIGRANT WOMEN: A REFLECTION ON WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
njcommcolleges posts on Instagram.

This #WomensHistoryMonth, we are celebrating #WomenofExcellence among our colleges' finest.

Dr. Marie C. Montes-Matías holds a BS in Industrial Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Rutgers University.

She started her career in the microbiology industry, but soon decided to switch to a more fulfilling career in teaching. That's how she became part of the #ProvenCommunity at @union_county_college. Montes-Matías has been teaching for over 11 years and received the 2018 John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Award from the League for Innovation in the Community College. 

As a professional, Montes-Matías found her niche in education and hopes to inspire younger generations to achieve their academic goals. 

She also enjoys working with student organizations and currently serves as co-advisor to the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. 

As a mentor of research projects for STEM majors, she is actively involved in promoting undergraduate research at Union County College.

Thank you, Dr. Montes-Matías, for your #ProvenExcellence!

#njcommunitycolleges #communitycollege  #student #proven #njproven #provenalumni #backtoschool #registernow #unionnj #unioncounty  #ucc #excellence #whm #womensmonth #womenshistory
New Jersey Community Colleges honors instructor Dr. Marie C. Montes-Matías for Women’s History Month. @njcommcolleges on Instagram.

Meet Dr. Marie Montes-Matías, who earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Rutgers University. She started her career in the microbiology industry before switching to a more fulfilling career in teaching.

An instructor at Union County College for 11+ years, she has also received the 2018 John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Award from the League for Innovation in the Community College. Congrats, Marie!

Anniversary Break!

morenovalleycollege writes on Instagram.

Celebrating 30 years of serving Valley residents. On March 1, 2010, Moreno Valley College became a fully accredited college, making it the 111th California Community College. #mvcollege #communitycolleges #30YearsAtMVC #anniversary #college #YouBelongAtMVC
Moreno Valley College celebrated a huge anniversary this month! Eleven years ago, they became the 111th community college in California. So, get out your confetti! ???? @morenovalleycollege on Instagram.

3. Savvy Students of Women’s History Month

Nadine Ordaz Writes on LinkedIn.


I feel so honored to see my own college post an article about me and my recent #NASA experience. 

This experience has definitely shown me that even community college students can secure these types of great opportunities. Thank you to Berkeley City College for supporting me further. 

#adastra #stem #ccstudent #latinainstem #womeninstem
 
Peralta Community College District shares:
Berkeley City College Student,Nadine Ordaz,Selected for #NASA Virtual Experience????"I have always wanted to pursue a career in #spaceexploration and the NCAS program was the perfect first step for me," says BCC student Nadine Ordaz. I’m thankful to know that being a #communitycollege student does not make me any less or keep me from pursuing amazing opportunities." ????REACH FOR THE STARS Nadine!????

https://bit.ly/3ezMEIS 
.
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
#BerkeleyCityCollege #endcommunitycollegestigma #EndCCStigma #studentsuccess
Nadine Ordaz shares their gratitude for Berkeley City College for taking them to the stars on a NASA experience!

Nadine was one out of 104 community college students from across the country to participate in the nine-day, virtual NASA experience.

According to the PeraltaGEMS newsletter, “Selected community college students learn more about NASA’s missions and careers in science and engineering throughout the virtual experience… Students also attend briefings given by NASA subject matter experts, receive information on how to apply for NASA internships, and virtually tour NASA’s unique facilities during the event.”

Nadine says, “I’m thankful to know that being a community college student does not make me any less or keep me from pursuing amazing opportunities.”

@MassBayCommCol writes on Twitter.
Happy Women's History Month! What better way to celebrate by posting our first women's basketball team.
 This year for our 60th anniversary we'll be taking a look back into our yearbooks and archives on "MassBay Mondays".
Share your photos with #MassBay60 #MassBayMonday
What better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than with this great throwback to their first women’s basketball team? Happy 60th anniversary Mass Bay Community College! @MassBayCommCol on Twitter.

cnmsuncats writes on Instagram.

Meet Brianna Green, a CNM Alum! ⚛️ 
•
Brianna Green started her journey in 2015 by enrolling into a geology class. From there, Brianna went on to #NewMexico Tech and #graduated with a Bachelor’s in Earth Science. 
•
This #CNM #Alum is traveling to Norway next month to collect soil samples from the frozen tundra. Green will return to the University of Tennessee to study if and how microbes in those samples release greenhouse gasses. She’s just starting her Masters to Ph.D. program in the Earth and Planetary Science Department.
•
Way to go Brianna!
This Central New Mexico Community College alum is traveling to Norway next month to collect soil samples from the frozen tundra! She’s also on her way to earning her Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Science. Go Brianna! @cnmsuncats on Instagram.

Puppy Break!!!


mcccpa posts on Instagram.

Happy #NationalPuppyDay! Our furry friend Paxton, looks pawesome in his Montco swag! ???? Show off your #MontcoPets and tag us in your photos!⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#Corgi #CorgisOfInstagram #CommunityCollege #CorgiModel #MontcoFamily
March is also the celebration of National Puppy Day! Although for this Montgomery County Community College corgi, it looks like he’s hoping this embarrassing photo won’t make it to social media ???????????????? @mcccpa on Instagram.
A picture of the #WHM hashtag
Wishing you and all the women in your life a very happy #WHM.

And that wraps it up for this month!

 If you’re looking for more, then check out Top 10 Stories of the Month: January 2021 Edition and #cccommunity3: Black History Month was Famous, Fantastic, and Fearless.

Do you have a personal best you’d like to share? Then please send your good news to reachout@interactcom.com for a chance to be featured in our next #cccommunity3!

Share This Story

By Published On: March 30, 2021Last Updated: April 4, 2022Categories: Blog ArticlesTags: