Metro West Times

Women’s History Month Featuring “Voices of Resilience”

International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8, is the global celebration of the social, political, cultural, economic, and artistic achievements of women.  For IWD 2023 the theme is #EmbraceEquity.

In the spirit of IWD 2023, Bay Path University is partnering with the Longmeadow Adult Community Center to present “Voices of Resilience,” developed and curated by Professor Janine Fondon, MFA, of Bay Path University.  “Voices of Resilience” will use music, storytelling, and museum panels to spotlight women and women of color from the 1800s to the present, who were activists in the justice, equity, and inclusion space.

The opening night event in Longmeadow will now include voices from the Salem Witch Trials to freedom fighters, local Longmeadow history, a vocal performance by the stellar singer “Ethel Lee,” and informational art panels.

Professor Fondon worked on the project with scholars Dr. Demetria Shabazz and Dr. Lucie K. Lewis and states, “Let us remember all the ladies on the move and be inspired to stand on their shoulders of greatness. Together, we must take collective steps across communities to create a more equitable world for all. Let's honor the voices of resilience by sharing their untold, less-known stories and steps in a world that often keeps them hidden in plain sight.”

Marybeth Bergeron of the Longmeadow Adult Community Center Fund, Inc., and sponsor of this special presentation said, “The Longmeadow Adult Community Center Fund, which is supported largely through private donations from our community, is pleased and honored to sponsor the Voices of Resilience exhibit and multimedia presentation on International Women’s Day. The program will resonate with this year’s IWD theme, #EmbraceEquity, by celebrating the diversity of women who have made significant contributions to local and regional history and culture, yet whose stories often remain untold.”

Janine McVay, also of the Longmeadow Adult Community Center Fund, Inc., and Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Bay Path University also assisted in bringing the exhibit to the local communiherety:  "This is the second year we've offered programming on International Women's Day, and it is a terrific opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of women - from our region to across our nation and the globe - and to advance women's equality and empowerment however we can."

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