Women's History Month events planned at ENMU

PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University students from a variety of cultures are out to show Portales what strong women look like.

Multi-Cultural Affairs at ENMU is going with the theme “Significant Women in Action,” for Women’s History Month in March, according to Catalina Arana of Hispanic Affairs.

Throughout March, the organizations within Multi-Cultural Affairs will host events and presentations highlighting women of different cultures.

One of the opening events, slated for Thursday, is a performance featuring “three women who are part black and part Latino; it’s them showing how two cultures can come together,” Arana said.

She said the three women will act out part of the performance in Spanish.

Arana said the “Women in China” presentation will entail International Affairs officers giving a presentation on what is expected of women in China.

“I feel like all of them (the events) are super exciting because just getting to know what different women have been through — I feel like it’s very important to know what different women in different cultures have had to go through,” she said.

Native American Affairs office assistant Ancynita Small said she and others are excited to be bringing Native America fashion designer Marisa Mike, who has been doing well in the fashion design scene, to the university as part of Women’s History Month.

“She incorporates Native American design into her clothes. She brings her culture into her art and through that, shows others how she sees things,” Small said. “She enjoys her work because she is able to change the traditional Native American dress into something more contemporary while staying true to her background.”

All of the events are free.

Here’s the schedule:

• Meet and Greet with ENMU Royalty: Noon Wednesday in the Campus Union Building lobby

• Black Latina-Celebrate Women's History Month: 7 p.m. Thursday in the Becky Sharp Auditorium

The female ensemble will exhibit African and Latino cultures and their ability to stand firmly united, regardless of geographical locations.

• Women in China-Celebrate Women's History Month: 3 p.m. March 8 in the Sandia Room of the Campus Union Building

International Club officers will present and enlighten about traditional music and dance, traditional clothes and great Chinese women in history.

• Native Fashion Designer-Celebrate Women's History Month: 2 p.m. March 29 in the Sandia Room of the Campus Union Building

Marisa Mike, of the Navajo Nation, featured in Phoenix Fashion Week from Tonalea, Arizona, has a mission to create a women's contemporary style that meets the traditional Navajo attire.