March is recognized nationally as Women's History Month. Students from the University of Nevada, Reno and the Reno community celebrated the month in various ways.

On March 8, the Associated Students of the University of Nevada (ASUN, the undergraduate student government) commemorated the month by hosting the Girl Effect, an educational event to discuss women in poverty. Take Back the Night, an event held annually across the country, was scheduled for March 7, but has been postponed until mid-April. This event protests sexual assault, rape and other violent acts against women.

Marysa Falk, senior at the University of Nevada, Reno studying journalism, recently returned from a trip she took to Washington, D.C. for the National Young Feminist Leadership Conference. Having her student government recognize Women's History Month meant a lot to her.

"Just like national coverage of Women's History Month, it's equally important for our student government to cover it," she said. "It's important we understand women's history to know what battles we've faced and how we can stop them from happening again."

The University's Women's Studies Program, part of the Gender, Race and Identity Program within the College of Liberal Arts, co-sponsored the International Women's Day Scholarship Fundraising Dinner on March 8. According to Donna Clontz, program chair for the Nevada Women's History Project, more than 300 people attended the dinner and more than $5,000 was raised for scholarships for women studying at the University of Nevada, Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College and Western Nevada College.

"We're extremely pleased with the community response from all over Northern Nevada in support of the calendar of events we planned for Women's History Month this year," Clontz said.

"Several organizations planned special programs for March that featured speakers on many aspects of women's history, issues and causes... we're so grateful so all their energy, commitment and support of women and girls in our community."

After the successful scholarship dinner, multiple demonstrations were held on various days to educate passers-by on women's issues. Join me on the bridge, an event held across the globe to symbolize unity, was held south of campus on Virginia Street's I-80 overpass on March 8, a grassroots lobby weekend was hosted by the Nevada Women's Lobby on March 13-15 for the public, a women's rally was held on March 25 in Reno City Hall and more.

For more information, visit the University of Nevada, Reno Women's Studies department.