The Binghamton University Globalistias (BUGs) co-sponsored two events for International Women’s Day to honor and inspire women on campus.
IWD, celebrated on March 8 in more than 25 countries, is an official holiday to celebrate the positive achievements of women by bringing people together to focus on women’s issues.
The Binghamton University Alumni Association, Career Development Center and BUGs sponsored a “Cool Connections: Hot Alumni” event from 5 to 6 p.m. in Academic A, featuring a video conference with Missy Gluckmann ’90, a global education entrepreneur and founder of Melibee Global and MelibeeU.
MelibeeU offers online training for global educators and students as part of Melibee Global, a global education consulting firm that emphasizes study abroad.
Steve Seepersaud, communication manager at the Office of Alumni Relations, said the Alumni Association was proud to co-sponsor this Hot Alumni event.
“Missy is a global education entrepreneur working with some of today’s most talented, fascinating speakers on global citizenship, diversity and culture,” Seepersaud said.
At the event, Gluckmann spoke about some Binghamton memories, “sheroes” (female heroes) and her business, Melibee Global.
Gluckmann spoke in detail about Melibee’s founding.
“It took me a long time to get to that point, but it felt like something I really needed to do,” Gluckmann said. “There might be a side of you that is kind of creative and don’t suppress that for as long as I did.”
At the end of the conference, Gluckmann offered advice to all of the students who attended.
“Make sure you are passionate and authentic,” Gluckmann said. “You are all unique, that’s why you’re here at Binghamton.”
Colleen Lauer, a senior majoring in English, said she attended the event because she thought it was an important topic.
“I thought it was very inspiring,” Lauer said. “It’s about international education, showing us we really can do anything and help others, connecting to them educationally.”
The second IWD event on campus was a documentary screening of “Beyond Belief,” a film that follows two mothers who lost their husbands in the Sept. 11 attacks and dedicated themselves to empowering Afghan women.
The Office of International Programs, International Student and Scholar Services, the Women’s Studies Program, the Women’s Student Union, the Center for Civic Engagement and BUGs sponsored this event, which took place at 7 p.m. in Lecture Hall 7.
Kerry Cook, study abroad coordinator in the Office of International Programs, said they chose to screen this documentary because it addresses many issues affecting the world today.
“A lot of issues showing controversy and overcoming, it shows strength of women, representing this ideal,” Cook said.
The documentary screening was followed by a discussion led by graduate teaching assistant Katherine Felt, a first-year doctoral student in the political science department. The discussion focused on the history of the U.S.-Afghan relationship, the role of women in violent conflict and the different responses to violence, specifically in the post-Sept. 11 context.
Felt closed the discussion by reminding students about the importance of diversity.
“You get these sweeping generalizations about people in the Middle East, in Afghanistan,” Felt said. “But they are diverse. They are diverse just like us.”
Claire Chang, a sophomore double-majoring in art and political science, said she believes the event was appropriate for IWD.
“In this documentary, it had an international perspective to it,” Chang said. “It featured two women from the U.S. connecting with women in Afghanistan.”
Cook said students should recognize and be aware of IWD and find some way to celebrate it.
“[IWD] doesn’t necessarily have to be about women who are international,” Cook said. “[It is] a day to celebrate women. Strength of women. Celebrate women who have inspired us throughout history.”