Nebraska Athletics Honors Women's History MonthNebraska Athletics Honors Women's History Month

Nebraska Athletics Honors Women's History Month

Lincoln, Neb. – For the entire month of March, Nebraska Athletics engaged in a coordinated effort to celebrate Women’s History Month through the programming of several key events and initiatives. Women’s History Month featured multiple self-defense classes designed for women, a Women Supporting Women networking event, and much more.

"The month-long celebration recognizes women's achievements, courage, leadership, and contributions to society," said Joann Ross, an academic advisor for Nebraska Athletics. In addition to her role in athletics, Ross also serves as the chair for the Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women (CCSW). Ross played a vital role in this year's Women's History Month programming, contributing to events such as Women's Week and the Women's History Month Banquet.

"It provides a new lens through which to view societal shifts, highlighting women's perspectives on cultural, political, economic, and societal changes," Ross added. "Celebrating women serves as an inspiration to future generations."

Self-Defense Classes
During the first week of March, Husker Life Skills hosted two separate Women’s Self-Defense classes, one for staff members and another geared towards student-athletes. The classes taught those in attendance the basics to tactical, spiritual, and physical survival for a woman in today’s world. Over the course of the two sessions, over 50 student-athletes and staff members took advantage of the opportunity to learn more about personal self-defense.

Women Supporting Women
On the evening of March 4, the Women Supporting Women networking event took place in Memorial Stadium. Women Supporting Women helped connect over 30 aspiring young women with various female professionals in the community, including dean of the UNL College of Business Kathy Farrell and Lincoln City Council Member and mayoral candidate Leirion Gaylor Baird. Judi Jones, a junior Track & Field student-athlete, was a major force in coordinating and implementing the event from the onset.

“In college, I have realized the importance of great women role models and I wanted to create an experience for other women to be exposed to great women leaders,” said Jones.

The event was kicked off by a few remarks from Farrell, who shared some networking and professional development tips with those in attendance. Following her speech, the professionals made their way over to their respective stations, as the women spent the next hour moving throughout the room connecting with potential mentors.

“The people who have inspired me, they made me realize that it is possible for women to excel in all areas of life,” Jones said. “It’s important to celebrate women because women have been disadvantaged and we need to help support women and make them achieve their full potential.”

Staff Members Honored During Women’s Week
As part of Women’s Week from March 1 to 8, three athletic staff members were honored as Women Creating Change Through Courage and Compassion nominees: Erynn Butzke (Spirit Squad Head Coach), Sammi Cowger (Director of PEO Programs, Life Skills and Enrichment), and Ashley Rudolph (Assistant Athletic Trainer, Women’s Basketball). Congratulations to all of these women for their continued leadership and contributions to Nebraska Athletics. For the complete list of nominees, click here.

Women’s History Month Banquet
Culminating the end of Women’s Week, the UNL Women’s Center hosted a Women’s History Month Banquet on March 7. Open for anyone to attend, the banquet was highlighted by keystone speaker Patty Pansing Brooks, a Nebraska state senator. Brooks spoke to those in attendance about not only gender inequities in today’s world, but about race and sexual orientation as well. The event also included a moving performance by the University Chorale and the presentation of the Chancellor's Awards for Outstanding Contributions to the Status of Women.

International Women’s Day
On Friday, March 8, Nebraska Athletics played its part in paying homage to International Women’s Day. In a salute to women all across the globe, a group of female Husker student-athletes visited a local senior living facility and spent a couple hours playing games and interacting with residents.

Looking Ahead
As Nebraska Athletics and Husker Life Skills wrap up the month-long effort celebrating women’s’ history, it is important to remember all the integral contributions women have made for our society and continue to make every day. Moving forward, Husker Life Skills is aiming to celebrate a different group each month of the academic year, so be on the lookout for more exciting news in this regard as time goes by.