GLENDALE : Women’s History Month Celebrated

Glendale College kicked off its celebration of Women’s History Month on Tuesday with a campy “Battle of the Sexes” and the showing of a documentary about domestic violence.

In its eighth year, the event emphasizes women’s accomplishments and highlights issues of concern to women through classroom presentations and evening performances, said Dr. Peggy Renner, its coordinator and a history teacher at Glendale College.

The “Battle of the Sexes” involved a panel of three male and three female students who were asked stereotypical questions about the opposite sex. For example, women were asked about sports, and men were asked about makeup. The day’s events also included a showing of “Defending Our Lives,” a videotape about domestic violence that will be shown throughout the month.

“Prairie Winds,” a program by performance artist Delia Dreis, who will dramatize the harrowing experiences of 11 pioneer women, is slated March 17 and 18. Discussions and presentations are scheduled throughout the month on such topics as the gender gap in pay, combining motherhood and career, feminism, women and success, how advertising affects women and rape awareness.

“We live in a world that has traditionally shown us the accomplishments of men. We want to show that women too can be scientists, mathematicians and athletes,” Renner said.

The college began celebrating Women’s History Month after then-President Ronald Reagan issued an executive order in 1983 denoting March as a time to celebrate women’s history.

All events are open to the public.