In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Maricopa County Community College District is hosting virtual and in-person events across many of the Maricopa Community Colleges.

The events exploring topics from how to thrive in a male-dominated career to STEM and intersectionality between gender and race. 

“The thousands of women who make up our staff, faculty and student body offer perspectives and expertise that make our district stronger, and I am honored to celebrate them, especially during Women’s History Month,” said Dr. Eric Leshinskie, MCCCD interim provost. “I also want to recognize the impactful women who support our students on a day-to-day basis, who guide our system in leadership positions, and who serve on our governing board. I am incredibly fortunate to learn from and work alongside such dynamic role models every day.”

The district, ranked among America’s Best Employers for Women in 2018 by Forbes, employs 6,818 women across its workforce, in addition to the majority of upper leadership. Of executive leadership roles, including college presidents and district leadership, 56% are filled by women and 85% of its governing board is led by women. 

MCCCD also offers a Women’s Mentor Program, available to all Maricopa employees, providing an opportunity for guided professional development and growth through dialogue with Maricopa leaders. In addition, the district offers Women Rising, an organization that empowers female students with student-led chapters across the district.

Below is a sampling of this year’s Women’s History Month events. All events are free and open to the public.

• Women and Their Work; Art and Art History Lecture Series, March 8, 2022, In-Person and Virtual Event, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., Chandler-Gilbert Community College, 2626 E. Pecos Road, Chandler

Join Chandler-Gilbert Community College for a lecture by Sara Madandar, an Iranian multidisciplinary artist based in New Orleans. The event also includes a conversation moderated by CGCC Visual Arts Faculty, Professor Michael Ceschiat, and Dr. Roja Najafi.

• Women’s History Month Event Calendar, Throughout March 2022, In-Person and Virtual Events, Estrella Mountain Community College, 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale
  

Join Estrella Mountain Community College for a month-long series of events celebrating Women’s History Month.

• Visiting Voice: Melissa Denizard, March 8,, In-Person and Virtual Event, 4 p.m., GateWay Community College, 108 N 40th St., Phoenix

Join GateWay Community College to explore how one voice from Generation Z, Melissa Denizard, is mobilizing for justice and positive change, engaging and educating on Black Feminism, Black liberation, and righting historical injustices on college campuses.

• Virtual Netflix Watch Party, featuring RBG, March 8, Virtual Event, 4 - 5:40 p.m., Glendale Community College, 6000 W. Olive Ave., Glendale
  

Join Glendale Community College for a screening of documentary "RBG," which details Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life and landmark work on women's rights. 

*Participants will need their own Netflix access.  

• Defeat Racism @ Work: Intersectionality Between Gender and Race, March 4, Virtual Event, 10 - 11:30 a.m. Paradise Valley Community College, 18401 N. 32nd St., Phoenix
  

Join Paradise Valley Community College as Patricia Davis, founder of Defeat Racism at Work Enterprises, leads participants in a discussion around intersectionality focused on gender and race.

• Do No Harm: Medical Professionals On Reproductive Rights, March 3, Virtual Event, 6-7 p.m., Phoenix College, 1202
  

Caring for patients with uteruses has become complex under laws restricting reproductive rights. Physicians, nurses, and midwives will share their experiences, including the risks they face in practice. 

• Women in STEM Careers, March 24, Virtual Event, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Rio Salado College
  

Join Rio Salado College for a webinar on Women in STEM Careers, featuring speakers including Professor Nichole Neal, a Chandler-Gilbert Community College Physical Sciences and Engineering faculty member, and Dr. Tara Nkrumah, assistant research professor in the Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology at Arizona State University.

• The Unicorn Experience: Finding Your #UnicornMagic, March 29, Virtual Event, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Scottsdale Community College, 9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale
  

Join Scottsdale Community College to hear from award-winning STEM advocate, diversity and inclusion champion, and tech leader, Jamila Parham, as she shares her inspirational story and practical tips for how young girls and women can create their own #unicornmagic and stand out in every environment they're in. This event is cosponsored by Mesa Community College.