Bridgewater, Va. – Women at Work highlighted International Women’s Day with a book display in the Forrer Learning Commons. International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8, which was chosen to commemorate an event that occurred in Russia in 1917 where a group of women got together and held a strike for peace, equality and the right to vote. 

The intent of International Women’s Day is to highlight the achievements of women in a cultural, political and socioeconomic way.

Women at Work put up an array of books – including biographies and memoirs, feminist theory, philosophy, female representation in art and literature.  

“For International Women’s Day, we wanted to host a book display so that people could come and educate themselves on the different perspectives of women, both now and throughout history,” said junior and president of Women at Work Beth Gaver. 

Some book covers are concealed so that the book cannot be judged by anything other than its summary. The Women at Work Instagram (@bc.women.at.work) page has the full list of books posted.

 A few notable inclusions are “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, “I am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai, “Unbought and Unbossed” by Shirley Chisolm and “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur.

“I personally recommend the books ‘The Witch Doesn’t Burn in This One’ and ‘The Princess Saves Herself in This One,’ both of which are by Amanda Lovelace,” said senior Caitlin Vinson. “I thoroughly enjoyed both books and the author’s writing style. I find these books to be inspiring to women, because it encourages taking control of your own life. Not waiting on someone to come and save you, but rather, you are capable of saving yourself.”

The books will likely be on display until the end of the month.

Women at Work will be hosting a Women in STEM panel, in conjunction with the Computing Club, on March 23 at 6 p.m. in the Great Room of the Learning Commons. 

“It will be really fun,” said Gaver. “There will be a bunch of women in STEM talking about what they do, how they got to where they are and all that fun stuff,” 

Gaver states that the club is hoping to partner with Model United Nations to do a campaign for sustainable development goals. Goal number 11 of the MUN is particularly catered to gender equality. 

Gaver urges anyone who has ideas for Women at Work or wants to be in a leadership role to reach out to her. They are looking for people who are willing to fight for change and women’s rights. Anyone can join the club regardless of gender. 

For more information regarding Women at Work events or if you would like to become a member of the board, please contact Beth Gaver directly at [email protected] or follow the club on Instagram @bc.women.at.work.