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Bowie State University News February 28, 2011 Bowie State Celebrates Women's History Month (BOWIE, Md.)-In celebration of Women's History Month, Bowie State University is hosting a number of inspiring events throughout the month of March. The series of events will celebrate the nationally-known accomplishments and movements made by women from the past and present. "Women's History Month is a time for everyone to celebrate the contributions of women, both in history and today," said Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Karen Johnson Shaheed. "It is important for the University to come together to recognize the role that so many women have played and continue to play in our society. I am especially pleased to bring attention to the published work of two of our faculty members." Beginning March 1, actress and singer, Sheryl Lee Ralph, will be on campus to kick-off the Women's History Month celebration at Bowie State University. The event will take place in the Center for Learning and Technology, Room 102 at 7 p.m. Sheryl is well-known for her role on the hit television series, Moesha. From acting to singing to producing, she has played various roles in film, television and Broadway. Recently, she wrote and directed an award-winning film short, Secrets. Later in March, a Tea Time and Book Discussion event will be held on the second floor of the Thurgood Marshall Library in the Special Collections Room on March 31 featuring the book, A Mom's Timeout: Inspirational Devotions for Moms by Moms, written by two Bowie State University faculty members in the Department of English and Modern Languages, Prof. Nicole Wilson and Prof. Tanya McInnis. Both professors are pictured to the left. In its third year at Bowie State, the Tea Time and Book Discussion is an annual event hosted by LaVera L. Burnim, wife of Bowie State University President Mickey L. Burnim, and the Women's History Month Committee to honor the work, strength and intellect of women. "The Tea Time and Book Discussion is an inspiring event which I look forward to each year," said Mrs. Burnim. "During Women's History Month, we pause to honor and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of women from all walks of life - in the past and the present. In conjunction with an initiative of First Lady Michelle Obama, this year we are trying to help women find "balance" in the many roles they assume on a daily basis. We often neglect to take time to reflect, replenish and renew ourselves; sometimes, we too need a timeout." The book, A Mom's Timeout, strongly encourages mothers, who often lead hectic lives, to pause and regain the strength they need to face the challenge of motherhood. The women in the book share stories and testimonies about their experiences and encourage moms to do what most moms claim they rarely have time to do, which is take a break. To learn more about the book, click here. "We are oping to expand our reach for the 2011 Tea Time and Book Discussion by directly reaching out to mothers in our communities," said Assistant Vice President of Development Yolanda Pruitt. "Nearly any woman can relate to this book in some way and we look forward to reading and sharing our stories together." Bowie State University Women's History Month Schedule An Evening with Sheryl Lee Ralph Tuesday, March 1 7 p.m. Center for Learning and Technology, Room 102 Bowie State University 14000 Jericho Park Road Tea Time and Book Discussion A Mom's Timeout: Inspirational Devotions for Moms by Moms Thursday, March 31 3 p.m. Thurgood Marshall Library, Special Collections Room Bowie State University 14000 Jericho Park Road For more information, click here. The national celebration originally began as a Women's History Week that was initiated in 1978 by the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women. The week of March 8 was selected for the celebration. Schools throughout the nation began to host their own programs catering to the chosen week. The celebration then expanded to the entire month of March in 1987 after the National Women's History Project successfully petitioned the expansion to Congress. Because of the approval from both House and Senate providing bipartisan support, the Women's History Month became an annually, recognized celebration for every month of March. Information is from the National Women's History Project. # # # Brandon Yancey, a Bowie State University graduate student majoring in communications, was a contributing to writer for this press release. ABOUT BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds who seek a high quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The University places special emphasis on the science, technology, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education for more information about BSU, visit the website at http://www.bowiestate.edu/. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.