SCC kicked off Women’s History Month in March with style and grace, with events to empower women and raise the awareness about their accomplishments.

Women’s History Month began in the United States in the 1970s. Now it is celebrated not only in the United States but in the United Kingdom and Australia. The month honors women through their contributions throughout history and in contemporary society.

To celebrate Women’s History Month, SCC featured its newest club, Minority Female Initiative, which launched Jan. 28.

The club encourages cultural experience, diversity, self-efficacy and leadership skills development through mentoring and networking.

“I think it is important to reflect on the great women of our past and to grow and learn from what they taught us,” club adviser and founder Rachel Harrison said.

SCC business student Kiana M. Flores joined the club to meet women with similar dreams and concerns.

“This club is diverse and I have the opportunities to meet like-minded women and hear motivational speeches from role models,” Flores said.

Diego Leal, a political science student, supports the club and thinks it is a great resource for all students.

“I think it is a great thing to dedicate a month to bringing awareness to the great accomplishments of women in our society,” Leal said. “I think planning more events dedicated to it on campus would help increase awareness and students’ involvement.”

As part of the month’s events, a speaker from the “I Always Get Consent” campaign in cooperation with Arizona State University presented in the Turquoise Room on March 4 from noon to 1:30 p.m. It served as part of the Education and Prevention of Campus Sexual Assault campaign.

SCC students also had the opportunity to attend the Women Rising Conference at Phoenix College on March 6. The conference kicked off the Female Empowerment Network (Women Rising) initiative to help minority females. This was the first event for Women Rising Conference.

“I hope that we can get students involved and they get a better understanding of what the Women’s History Month is about and they will want to join the Women Rising Conference,” Harrison said.

For more information about Women’s History Month events, contact SCC’s Center for Civic and Global Engagement.