SWIC celebrates 10 years of women's history events

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[This month, Southwestern Illinois College will mark the 10th anniversary of its popular Herstory program, a series of events honoring Women's History Month.

In 2000, two SWIC faculty members had an idea to celebrate women and their achievements. Herstory was born. Today, as Herstory begins its milestone anniversary, the college offers a vibrant program that educates and entertains both students and community members.

"I am very excited about this year's events. We have one of the strongest Women's History Month celebrations in our region, perhaps even in the nation," said Kim Vrooman, an adjunct English instructor. "On behalf of the committee, I invite you out to enjoy the variety of events planned to enlighten and enrich our students and community."

Join SWIC in commemorating women with historical discussions, informational seminars, films, children's events, a weekend-long celebration and more.

Herstory officially kicked-off Tuesday, March 2 with Women Artists of African Descent. Friederich reprises her Women Artists of African Descent presentation at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, March 4 at the East St. Louis Community College Center, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd.

Changing the Face of Medicine: Women in the Civil War shares how women challenged gender roles of the Civil War era, revolutionizing the role of women in medicine, at 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 10 at the Belleville Campus Liberal Arts Building, Room 1106, 2500 Carlyle Ave., and again at 1 p.m., Thursday, March 11 at the Red Bud Campus Performing Arts Room, 500 W. South Fourth St.

Herstory Weekend 2010 rounds off the first two weeks with a Tapestry Of Community Offerings event featuring a clothing exchange, music, art, film, dance, handicrafts, food an insightful conversation. Proceeds from the weekend benefit TOCO's Single Parent Scholarship awarded through the SWIC Foundation. Green Apple Salon staff will cut the hair of community members donating their locks to Beautiful Lengths, a program that uses the donated hair to create wigs for cancer survivors. Weekend events begin at 7 p.m., Friday, March 12 and 7 p.m., Saturday, March 13 at the Ground Floor Club, 215 E. Main St., Belleville.

More Herstory events will continue during the last two weeks of March. Look for additional details about the entire month of events at fac.swic.edu/herstory or contact Herstory Chairwoman Kim Vrooman at 618-580-0303 or kimberly.vrooman@swic.edu.