Middle Tennessee State University’s June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students invites the community to “B.E. True Blue” — Belong and Engage — in celebration of National Women’s History Month throughout March.

“During 2024, we recognize the example of women who are committed to embracing everyone and excluding no one in our common quest for freedom and opportunity,” said Maigan Wipfli, director of the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students.

Nearly 20 Women’s History Month events are on the calendar and feature guest speakers and panel discussions as well as games, movies and mingling. Events are free and open to the public.

Kickoff ceremony, True Grit Conference

The monthlong observance officially kicks off March 12, with two combined events held in Tucker Theatre in Boutwell Dramatic Arts Building, 615 Champion Way.

The “Women of True Grit Conference” will start at 1 p.m. with Edie Hand, author of “Women of True Grit,” which spotlights over 60 women who have overcome adversity. Hand will be joined on stage by NASA engineer Sheilia Nash-Stevenson. Hand will also moderate a panel of women who are featured in her book.

At 2 p.m. is the opening ceremony and Trailblazer Awards that will spotlight women who impact the community in positive ways.

Trailblazer honorees this year include Julie Myatt, associate professor of English and MT Engage director; Janet McCormick, Communication Studies professor; Vickie Harden, associate professor and Master of Social Work Program coordinator; Nia Allen, Diversity Dissertation Fellow in Textiles, Merchandising and Design Program; and psychology student Zofia Zagalsky.

Women’s History Month keynote speaker

Highlight of the month will be an evening with the wit and wisdom of Women’s History Month keynote speaker Rebekah Taussig at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 28, in the Student Union Ballroom, 1768 MTSU Blvd.

Taussig is author of the memoir “Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body,” a collection essays and creator of the Instagram account, @sitting_pretty.

Taussig was 14 months old when she was diagnosed with a malignant cancer that attacked her spine. Two years of treatment left her cancer-free but paralyzed from the waist down. She’s spent her life as an educator, writer and advocate for the disabled.

Human trafficking speaker

The MTSU Department of Social Work will host “Human Trafficking: Putting a Name to My Face” from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, in Academic Classroom Building Room 104, 1751 MTSU Blvd.

Guest speaker Celia Williamson, professor of social work and executive director of the Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute at Ohio’s University of Toledo, will discuss how professionals and community members alike can identify and support victims.

Williamson, who has 30 years in the anti-human trafficking field and has authored numerous studies on the subject, works extensively with victims of sex trafficking.

Other events

• Closing the Gender Negotiation Gap: The Power of Entitlement, 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, Business and Aerospace Building, Room N127.

• Writing HerStory, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 16, Student Union Building, second-floor conference room, 1768 MTSU Blvd.

• A conversation with writer Danielle Chapman, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, Ingram MT Center, 2269 Middle Tennessee Blvd.

• National Women’s History Month Craft Night Pickup: Board and Brush, 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, March 18, 19 and 20, Student Union Building, Room 330, 1768 MTSU Blvd.

For more details about other events, visit the Women’s History Month calendar, or visit https://mtsu.edu/jac/ and click the National Women’s History Month tab.

Off-campus visitors planning to attend daytime activities during the month can obtain a temporary permit from the Parking and Transportation Services office at 205 City View Drive or print a visitor pass at https://mtsu.t2hosted.com. Visitor permits are $2 per day. A parking map and more information is available at https://mtsu.edu/parking/.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)