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Telling Grandmothers' Stories Celebrates Women's History
More than 50 exhibitors from the University and the community honored the memories of the women who influenced their lives during the 8th annual “Telling Our Grandmothers’ Stories” exhibition Wednesday, March 21 in the University Center, Lone Star Ballroom.
 The event, co-sponsored by the University English Department and the Women’s Center for Education and Service has more than doubled in size since its inception in 2000. Presenters include women from throughout the community. This year’s speakers included Dr. Laura Munoz, professor of history, and Dr. Harvey Knull, dean Graduate Education.
“These presentations are a reflection of the lives of our grandmothers and the generations that came before us,” said Rhonda Williamson, coordinator of the Women’s Center. “It is important to remember and honor the unique women who influenced the lives of today’s women both at the University and in the community as a whole.”
“Telling Our Grandmothers’ Stories” was conceived by Dr. Susan Garza, associate professor in the University’s College of Arts and Humanities, as a means of recovering and capturing the history of women of all ages, ethnicities and interests. The stories are conveyed through various non-traditional formats ranging from oral, video and audio presentations to paintings, photographs, posters, letters, displays and other forms of expression.
“We interpret ‘grandmother’ in the larger sense of the word to include women who came before us and created stories that form who we are,” said Garza. “We have found that publishing these stories is a critical component to recovering these women’s voices in a meaningful way and to insure that they are not lost but are added to the history of tradition that has already been told.”
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