Wilson Celebrates Women's History Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |   Feb. 25, 2016

Chambersburg, Pa. — In recognition of Women’s History Month in March, Wilson College will host three lectures and open a new Women’s History Exhibit at the Hankey Center. The exhibit, “Trailblazers and Innovators: Portraits of Educated Women,” is free and open to the public.

The exhibit spotlights Wilson graduates from the years 1875-1975 who made notable contributions in their fields, including medicine, academia, science, law, business, the arts, the military, political activism, social work, libraries and education. It also includes a section on “advice” for women choosing careers and how that advice changed over time, reflecting cultural changes regarding educated, working women.

“The purpose of the exhibit is to recognize the accomplishments of Wilson’s alumnae in various fields of work, during a time when it took great fortitude to gain an education, as well as succeed in some fields which were dominated by men,” said Amy Ensley, Hankey Center director. The exhibit will run through the year.

In addition, the college will sponsor the following Women’s History Month lectures, which are also free and open to the public:

• Author Kim van Alkemade, Orphan #8, Monday, March 7, at 4 p.m.
  Van Alkemade is the bestselling author of Orphan #8. Inspired by true events, and incorporating years of archival research, the novel tell the story of a woman who must choose between revenge and mercy when she encounters the doctor who subjected her to dangerous medical experiments in a New York City Jewish orphanage. This talk is being held in conjunction with the Wilson Writers Series.
   

• Dianna Heim, “Claiming Ground: Challenges and Activism Among Pennsylvania’s Women Farmers,” Thursday, March 24, at noon.
  Heim’s master’s thesis at Wilson College explores the challenges faced by women farmers from a feminist perspective. Through the use of oral history interviews, she examines the role of activist for those women working in Pennsylvania agriculture.
   

• Karlee Johnston, “Elizabeth McGeorge Sullivan ’38,” Wednesday, March 30, at 4 p.m.
  Johnston recently interned at the Hankey Center and worked with the Elizabeth McGeorge Sullivan ’38 collection. She will discuss Sullivan’s World War II service as a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) pilot and how women’s service was treated differently than men’s. Items from the collection, including Sullivan’s WASP uniform, will be displayed.

MEDIA CONTACT:       
Amy Ensley, Director of the Hankey Center
Phone: 717-264-4141, Ext. 3279
Email: amy.ensley@wilson.edu

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Founded in 1869, Wilson College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering bachelor’s degrees in 29 majors and seven master’s degrees. Wilson is committed to providing an affordable education that offers value to its students beyond graduation.

Located in Chambersburg, Pa., the college had a fall 2015 enrollment of 923, which includes students from 22 states and 16 countries. Visit www.wilson.edu for more information.