All Lowell Women’s Week events are open to the public! Admission to programs is free unless otherwise noted.
Events listed below also include those taking place before and after Lowell Women’s Week (March 3 – 9).
Detailed event descriptions are listed below. Click thumbnail for a quick-reference printable schedule:
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Artist Reception for a Retrospective of Artist’s Books by Gail Smuda
3PM – 5PM • University Art Gallery at UMass Lowell, 71 Wilder Street (1st floor), McGauvran Student Center
The UML Art Department and University Gallery are pleased to present a solo exhibition of one-of-a-kind artist’s books by New Hampshire-based artist Gail Smuda. Using traditional sewing and embroidery techniques with mixed media to construct the content, Gail’s artist’s books speak to women’s issues and offer her own personal commentary on women’s history and gender politics. For example “Women through the Eyes of History” is a traditional bound book opened to reveal glass ‘pages’ that serve to protect old-timey portrait frames, although ironically, the paper frames contain no images or information. Visit GailSmuda.com to learn more about the artist. Sponsored by University Art Gallery at UMass Lowell.
More information: Michele Gagnon, michele_gagnon@uml.edu or 978-934-3491
Film Event: Arise
7PM – 9PM • Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street
Weaving together poetry, music, art & stunning scenery, mother-daughter West Coast filmmakers Lori Joyce and Candace Orlando capture the stories and experiences of extraordinary women from around the world working together to heal the injustices of our planet. This free film event marks the 2nd film of the 2013 Land, Air & Water Eco Film Series co-presented by Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust and the Lowell Film Collaborative with support from Lowell National Historical Park and the Lowell Cultural Council. Learn more about “Arise” at AriseTheMovie.com.
More information: Jane Calvin, jcalvin@lowelllandtrust.org or 978-934-0030
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MONDAY, MARCH 4
Lowell Women’s Week Breakfast
7AM – 9AM • Lenzi’s, 810 Merrimack Avenue (Route 110), Dracut, MA, 01826
Kick off the 18th Annual Lowell Women’s Week celebration at our Women’s Week Breakfast! Tickets: $25 adults / $20 students. Seating is General Admission, unless you purchase a table for your party. Sponsored by the Lowell Women’s Week Committee.
> Purchase tickets / more information
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TUESDAY, MARCH 5
MCC 8th Annual Women in STEM Luncheon
12:30PM – 2PM • Middlesex Community College Lower Cafeteria, 33 Kearney Square, Lowell
The Women in STEM luncheon will feature a panel of women studying or working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The women will share their stories of achieving their goals and discuss highlights of their research. Pre-registration is required by contacting Professor Margie Bleichman at 781-280-3825 or bleichmanm@middlesex.mass.edu. Sponsored by Middlesex Community College.
More information: Pat Demaras, demarasp@middlesex.mass.edu or 978-656-3256
Got a Minute? Merrimack Valley Time Exchange Information Session
4:30PM – 5:30PM • 517 Moody St.
This is a seminar style informational session about the Merrimack Valley Time Exchange pilot program. Attendees will learn about the neighbors-helping-neighbors principles upon which time exchanges are built, the benefits of time banking for individuals and organizations, and the services currently available through the Merrimack Valley Time Exchange. Event will include a Q&A session and an opportunity to register for the Merrimack Valley Time Exchange during the pilot program. Refreshments provided! RSVP kindly requested to Joy Mosenfelder at joy.mosenfelder@cbacre.org or 978-452-7523. Sponsored by the Coalition for a Better Acre.
More information: Joy Mosenfelder, 978-452-7523
Working Together, Creating Change with Habitat for Humanity’s WomenBuild
5:30PM – 7PM • Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC), 246 Market Street
Lowell Women’s Week is a perfect time to learn about Habitat for Humanity’s
WomenBuild! Come meet Habitat for Humanity’s Kim Trainor, share refreshments, hear about
their newest Lowell project, and learn how you can Work Together to Create Change this May as a part of WomenBuild. Sponsored by Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC).
More information: Gloria Polites, 978-364-5154 or gpolites@ltc.org / LTC.org / LowellHabitat.org
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
50 Shades of Woman
10AM – 4:30PM (Open House), 11:30AM – 1:30PM (Speaker & Reception)
Center for Hope and Healing, 144 Merrimack Street, Suite 304
The Center for Hope and Healing is holding an open house that features visual and interactive exhibits highlighting women of various backgrounds. Exhibits will include women working toward cultural and racial understanding, women working toward advancing religion, women pushing age boundaries, women fighting for economic justice, women challenging ideals of body and size, LBT women, and women challenging notions of what it means to be different. Around lunch time (11:30AM-1:30PM), we will host a speaker and reception addressing the topic of the intersectionality of oppressions. We welcome any and all to experience this display and to celebrate women and the social justice movements that they are involved in around the world. Sponsored by the Center for Hope and Healing.
More information: Daniel Basil Hamilton, daniel@centerforhopeandhealing.org or 978-452-7721
We Know Our Place … Do You?
10:30AM – 11:30AM • Middlesex Community College Upper Cafe, 33 Kearney Square, Lowell
The MCC Theatre Department will explore women’s issues and raise questions through improvisation and audience interaction in honor of Lowell Women’s Week 2013.
More information: Karen Oster, osterk@middlesex.mass.edu or 781-280-3939
Girl Scouts and Media
3PM – 5PM • Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC), 246 Market Street
Come and sample a Girl Scout program! We’ll explore the world of media from behind the scenes to in front of the camera. For girls grades 1-8. Space is limited, RSVP’s required. Sponsored by Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass.
RSVP’s and more information: Sacha Lu, slu@girlscouteasternmass.org or 978-701-6331
Interplay: Playing Together, Creating Change
5PM – 7PM • Sangha Yoga Studio, 256 Market Street, Lowell
Celebrate Lowell Women’s Week by playing for a change! Learn the language and ethic of play in a deep and powerful way with the easy structure of InterPlay, an active creative way to unlock your body’s wisdom. Experiment with stretching, breathing, moving your hand, and 3-sentence stories and sounds. In the process, build real opportunities for your body, mind, heart and spirit to work together again. InterPlay, a global social movement dedicated to connection, human sustainability and play, is a system of ideas and simple practices that can help reshape your life and communities. Anyone can do it! This group is suitable for adults of all ages and abilities. 5:00-5:30: light refreshments; 5:30-7:00: InterPlay. Sponsored by InterPlay & UMass Lowell.
More information: Anne Mulvey, anne_mulvey@uml.edu / C.C. King, ccking.interplay@gmail.com / Interplay.org
Working Together, Creating Change: An Evening of Music, Film, and Community
7PM – 9PM • Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street
Explore the shared struggles and experiences of women in the workplace — past and present — in the city where it all began. Join Lowell National Historical Park rangers for a screening of the 50-minute documentary Triangle Fire (2011), followed by a performance of original music based on the words of Lowell mill workers. How do your own 21st century work experiences connect to those of others? The evening will conclude with a lively dialogue incorporating visitors’ own stories and points of view.
More information: JoAnn Marcos, joann_marcos@nps.gov
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THURSDAY, MARCH 7
MCC Students’ Voices: Exploring the Conditions of Women on Four Continents
10:30AM – 12PM • Middlesex Community College Lower Cafe, 33 Kearney Square, Lowell
This panel event will discuss the realities of women in different places around the world. Middlesex Community College students from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America will share their perspectives through their own person experiences and points of view. Sponsored by MCC Women’s Leadership Network.
More information: Michelle Berrey, jamberrey@gmail.com or 248-231-2838
Islam & Feminism: Between Theology & Politics
11AM – 12:45PM • 11 University Avenue, Lowell
Lecture given by Dr. Ziba Mir-Hosseini, Research Associate at the London School of Oriental & African Studies and founder of the Musawah movement and website. “Given the linkage between religious and political identity, I shall argue that women’s struggle for equality in Muslim contexts is embedded in intimate links between democracy and gender equality and between theology and politics. This struggle is as much theological as it is political, and it is hard and at times futile to decide when theology ends and politics begins.” — Ziba Mir-Hosseini, PhD.
More information: Deina Abdelkader, deina_abdelkader@uml.edu or 978-317-6411
Latina Women Moving Forward
6PM • Middlesex Community College, Morse Federal Building Assembly Room
The 5th Annual Latina Moving Forward Program features Janin Duran of the Merrimack Valley Sandbox. Help us celebrate Latina Women’s voices, leadership, and contributions to our Greater Merrimack Valley community. Join us for refreshments, networking, Duran’s presentation, and the announcement of this year’s Latina Women Moving Forward Award Recipient! Duran has been with the Merrimack Valley Sandbox since 2011 and works closely with students and youth to turn their entrepreneurial ideas into a reality. An active member of our community, Duran works locally and globally to ensure we are supporting entrepreneurship in our diverse communities. She recently traveled to India as part of the MVS’ team visit to the Deshpande Foundation. Sponsored by Latina Women Moving Forward.
More information: Maria Lopez, lopez-maria@comcast.net or 978-399-4805
Film Event: Yogawoman
6:30PM Film Screening • Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC), 246 Market Street
8PM Free Reception • Sangha Yoga Collective, 256 Market Street
Yoga was brought to the west from India by a lineage of male teachers. Now there’s a generation of women who are leading the way. Led by a new generation of dynamic female teachers, this “new” yoga replaces the male-centered, rigid style with a distinctly feminine practice that honors intuition, family, flow, connection, community, activism, and the cyclical nature of women’s lives. Don’t miss this groundbreaking film that captures this fascinating time of awakening female power! Suggested Donation: $7.00. Learn more about Yogawoman at Yogawoman.tv. Co-presenters: Sangha Yoga Collective, Lowell Film Collaborative
More information: Suzzanne Cromwell, info@lowellfilmcollaborative.org or LowellFilmCollaborative.org
Film Event: Miss Representation
7PM – 9:30PM • UMass Lowell O’Leary Library, 61 Wilder Street, Room 222
The documentary Miss Representation, by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, and aired on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. The film explores how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence.The Women’s Leadership Committee, Association of Students of African Origin, SISTERS, and MALES are hosting a screening of the movie and discussion in conjunction with UMASS Dartmouth. This program is FREE to all community members. Sponsored by the Women’s Leadership Committee at UMass Lowell.
More information: Susie Paterson, susan_paterson@student.uml.edu
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SATURDAY, MARCH 9
FinanciallyHers
9AM – 2PM • Stoklosa Middle School, 560 Broadway Street
FinanciallyHers will empower women to be strong, independent financial decision makers in an environment where they can build their competency relating to their money decisions in life. Participants will choose two workshops to attend. All workshops are designed to provide relevant financial strategies applicable to all lifestyles. Participants will receive a gift bag that includes a gift card to Market Basket. Free event, but pre-registration is required! Contact Gladys at 978-654-5673 or go to www.ctifamilyfinance.org. Sponsored by Community Teamwork, Inc.
Participants will choose from the following workshops:
Identifying Resources in Your Community. Do you know where to turn for help? There are plenty of doors available; you just need to know where to knock. This workshop will help you find community resources in the Greater Lowell Area to help you meet your needs.
Protecting Yourself from Financial Scams. Have you ever been told that you won something, but can’t even remember enrolling? How do you know if it’s not a scam? Do you know what warning signs to look out for? This workshop will teach you how to protect yourself by figuring out what is real and what is a scam.
How to Start a Home-Based Business. Do you have a hobby you would like to turn into a business? Have you wondered how you could set up your business from home? This workshop will cover things you need to consider such as business plan basics, marketing, and business ideas.
Credit and Debt Management. This workshop will cover the importance of obtaining a free copy of your credit report at least once a year, how to review it, understand, and manage your debt to a comfortable level.
Planning for Success. Where would you like to be 5, 10, 15 years from today? Do you ever take time to think about how you will get there? During this workshop, you will get a start on creating your own roadmap to your success.
Couponing Basics. Are you tired of hearing your friends brag about how little they paid for groceries & household products by couponing? Wondering how you could make that happen? Here’s your chance to learn some secrets & tips on using coupons and how to make it work for you.
Building a Savings Cushion. Saving money sometimes seems impossible with all the unexpected car problems, home repairs, and the kids getting sick. Yet, having a financial cushion is one of the most important things you can do to feel financially secure and have some peace of mind. This workshop will discuss actions you can take to make savings a priority.
Understanding How Investments Work. Are you contributing to your employer’s sponsored retirement plan (401K, 403b, simple IRA)? Are you putting away money for your kid’s education in a regular savings account instead of a 529 Plan? Come learn how you may be losing money by not taking advantage of financial products within in your reach.
Understanding the Cost of Living. Have you ever gone to buy a gallon of milk with exact change only to realize once you’re there that the price went up? Do you know why this happens? This workshop will help you understand the changes in the economy and how they affect your pocket.
Putting On Airs: American 19th Century Fashion and Social Status
1PM – 1:45PM • Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street
Travel back to 19th century Lowell as we explore the ‘well-dressed Mill Girl’ — is she fact or fancy? What assumptions do we make based on dress and fashion today? Join presenter Ellen Frost, Park Ranger & LNHP Costume Coordinator, and consider the evidence of outward signs of status of 19th century women’s clothing. Sponsored by Lowell National Historical Park.
More information: Ellen Frost, ellen_frost@nps.gov
Equal Pay for Equal Work: The Unfulfilled Promise of Equity
2PM – 3:30PM • Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street
Join Park Ranger Rubby Wuabu — and voices from Lowell’s past — for a lively discussion of the legacies of gendered wage disparity. Sponsored by Lowell National Historical Park.
More information: Rubby Wuabu, rubby_wuabu@nps.gov
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SUNDAY, MARCH 10
Writing for Change: Women’s Creative Writing Workshop
10AM – 12PM • Boott Cotton Mills Museum, 115 John Street
Starting with excerpts from the “Lowell Offering” and other sources of Lowell women’s literature, join Park Ranger Resi Polixa to create (y)our own pieces of any writing genre, centered around the theme of “change.” Collaborative writing exercises will encourage conversation and relaxed atmosphere. Towards the end of the session, we will have the chance to share pieces out loud. Sponsored by Lowell National Historical Park.
More information: Resi Polixa, theresa_polixa@nps.gov
Women’s Footsteps Walking Tour
1PM – 3PM • Boott Cotton Mills Museum, 115 John Street
Take a stroll with Park Ranger Jo Ann Marcos to see and hear about the first workers of the Lowell Mills. Visit the boarding house and stroll through downtown experiencing the life of the Yankee “Mill Girls.” Our stroll will take us by the Visitor Center where we will take a short break and then proceed through the Acre to hear about the women who would eventually replace the Mill Girls. Dress warm, tour will leave the Boott at 1PM rain or shine. Estimated tour time is 2 hrs. Sponsored by Lowell National Historical Park.
More information: JoAnn Marcos, joann_marcos@nps.gov
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MONDAY, MARCH 11
(New Date!) Lowell Women’s Week Public Art Reception
5PM – 8PM • Mayor’s Reception Room (2nd Floor), Lowell City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street
Celebrate the creative vision of local women and connect with the Women’s Week community! Join us for a FREE public reception for the 2013 Lowell Women’s Week Public Art Project, consisting of 16 stunning life-size interpretations of this year’s theme, “working together, creating change.” Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Lowell Women’s Week Public Art Committee.
More information: Anne Mulvey, anne_mulvey@uml.edu
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
Braided Streams: Women of Faith Speak
11AM-12:15PM & 2PM-3:15PM • Morning session at Dugan Hall Room 208, 883 Broadway St.; Afternoon session at Coburn Hall Room 304, 850
Women student panelists from diverse faith traditions reflect on their experience of the intersection between religion and gender. Sponsored by UMass Lowell.
More information: Imogene Stulken, Imogene_Stulken@uml.edu
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SATURDAY, MARCH 23
Lowell Folklife Series presents Women’s Singing Traditions: Veronica Robles and her Mariachi Band
7:30PM • Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street
To help celebrate International Women’s Month, the Lowell Folklife Series is pleased to present this free concert featuring Veronica Robles with her Mariachi. Known affectionately by fans as La Mera, Mera, Robles is widely recognized as the most authentic representative of Mexican music and culture in New England. Sponsored by Lowell National Historical Park.
More information: http://blog.massfolkarts.org/blog/index.php/2013/03/veronica-robles-her-mariachi/
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THURSDAY, APRIL 4
Gathering at the Well Forum: Women Organizing for Economic Justice
8:30AM-12:30PM • Alumnae Hall, 84 University Avenue
The Forum will feature “We Were There!” (a multi-media women’s labor history project), an interactive presentation by Women’s Caucus of Occupy Boston, & a roundtable of groups working toward economic and social justice. Sponsored by the UMass Lowell Center for Women and Work and the Work, Labor, & Society Program.
More information: Darcie Boyer, darcie_boyer@uml.edu
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24
Take Back the Day AND Night
9:30AM – 8:45PM • Rally starts at Lowell City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street
Take Back the Day and Night is a new twist on Take Back the Night. Statistics show that sexual assaults happen at all times of day, so it is important to recognize that in our programming. We will be holding events to raise awareness and educate our community all day long and will finish the event with the well-known march and rally piece that will begin at City Hall at 6PM. Sponsored by the Center for Hope and Healing and the Take Back the Night Committee.
More information: Elena Ansara, eansara@utec-lowell.org or 978-856-3916
