Women who have made significant contributions to space science will be the subject of several Women’s History Month events at the University of Louisville.
“Empowerment: Making and Shaping History” features film screenings, discussions and talks. All events are free and open to the public.
- March 16, 7 p.m., Strickler Hall: The Louisville Astronomical Society presents Pam Platt, chief storyteller for The Exomedicine Institute, which is developing methods to perform cutting-edge medical experiments in space.
- March 22, 6 p.m., Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium: Reception followed by a screening of “Hidden Figures,” a 2016 movie based on the book of the same name about the team of female African-American mathematicians who worked at NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.
- March 23, 6:30 p.m., Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium: Back-to-back screenings of “Women in Space,” from the PBS series “Makers: Women Who Make America,” and “Sisters of the Sun,” from the National Geographic series “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey,” will be followed by a facilitated discussion and question-answer session.
- March 24, 4 p.m., Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium: Louisville native Sophia Mitchell, an aerospace engineer, will discuss the future of space exploration.
While all events are free, preregistration for the planetarium events is required. Check the planetarium website for more information.
The event is co-sponsored by the planetarium, the UofL Women’s and Gender Studies department, the UofL Women’s Center, the American Association of University Women UofL Chapter, the Society of Women in Physics and Astronomy UofL Chapter and the Louisville Astronomical Society.
Other events through March
Other women-focused events are planned throughout the month as well. Saturday, March 3, marks the 12th Annual Kentucky Women’s Book Festival, featuring authors from a wide variety of genres.
On Saturday night, Delta Zeta will present the 11th annual Miss University of Louisville Scholarship Pageant at the Women’s Club of Louisville.
The UofL Women’s Center and UofL Women’s Alumni Council and Alumni Office are partnering with Miss Black Kentucky USA, the Academy at Shawnee High School and Neighborhood Places on the Butterfly Effect Prom Dress Drive and Giveaway to help high school students have a special prom experience. The drive runs March 1-23.
Finally, the 5th Annual International Women’s Day Cultural Awareness event, hosted by Women 4 Women Student Board and the UofL Women’s Center, is March 8 from 6-8 p.m. in Bigelow Hall.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.
