Dear Hornet Community,
It is unfathomable to think about how much of the world’s culture, history, language, and thought are shaped from a male-dominated perspective. Nearly 50% of the world’s population self-identifies as women, so centering their stories and experiences is critically important. To increase awareness and go through a process of unlearning discriminatory ideologies and behaviors, at Sacramento State, we recognize March as International Women’s "Herstory" Month and March 8 as International Women’s Day with this year’s theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’.
Within Sac State’s College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies (SSIS), the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies examines through an intersectional lens the social production of gender and the experiences of women. Through the social justice and feminist activist leadership of department Chair Dr. Sujatha Moni and the departmental faculty, this field of study invests in opportunities for students to apply their personal experiences and learning through real-world projects, community activism, and internships. Today and every day, we celebrate their over 50-year history of creating leaders for social change.
It is equally unthinkable and disappointing to live in a world where every aspect of its design prioritizes certain abilities over disability. An estimated 1 in 6 (nearly 17%) of the world’s population self-identifies as a person with a visible and/or invisible disability. On March 1, 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed March Developmental Disability Awareness Month, featuring this year’s theme, “A World of Opportunities.” In his proclamation, Newsom committed to removing barriers and increasing services and partnerships that invest in supportive structures for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Sac State is on a mission to become an antiracism and inclusive campus, and we must make it our intention and practice to elevate our expectations of our community and work toward a worldview that not only includes women and disabled people but also centers their contributions, experiences, narratives, intersections, and brilliance.
In partnership,
Dr. Mia Settles-Tidwell
Vice President of Inclusive Excellence and University Diversity Officer
