Ohio University Chillicothe celebrates Women’s History Month

As part of Women’s History Month, Ohio University Chillicothe celebrated women who educate and inspire generations with a film screening and panel on Thursday, March 20, 2025, in the Bennett Hall Auditorium. 

The program featured a screening of the film "Iron Jawed Angels," which focuses on the American women's suffrage movement during the 1910s and follows women's suffrage leaders Alice Paul and Lucy Burns as they use peaceful and effective nonviolent strategies, tactics, and dialogues to revolutionize the American feminist movement to grant women the right to vote.

A panel of local leaders and educators shared reactions to the movie, along with information on their ongoing work in the community to move women's rights forward. Panelists included Associate Professor of Instruction in Sociology Marguerite Hernandez, Associate Professor of Instruction in English Debra Nickles, Associate Professor of Social Work Stacey Saunders-Adams, and ERA Action Director Tammy Simkins. Assistant Professor of Instruction in Social Work Nikki Priest served as moderator for the panel.

Roberta Milliken, dean of campus and community relations, welcomed community members, OHIO Chillicothe faculty, staff, and students.

“I've been involved with promoting women's studies and women's issues for most of my academic career, and it's been hard work, but it has been important, meaningful and fulfilling work,” Milliken said. “This is a celebration of women's accomplishments, and there are many to celebrate, and we have our own tradition here on our campus that we started about five years ago now, where we like to honor a person who has done a lot for women, to inspire them and to raise them up and to teach others about their important work as well.”

Panelists shared reactions to the film and spoke about their career paths and advocacy work on gender equality issues, persistent economic disparities that exist for women in the U.S. and worldwide, and the importance of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment.

Stacey Saunders-Adams, associate professor of social work, presented the Woman of Distinction award to Dr. Marguerite Hernandez, associate professor of instruction in sociology.

"Dr. Hernandez demonstrates a deep commitment to community involvement, generously giving back through her time, talent and resources,” said Cynthia Anderson, chair and professor of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Ohio University. “She is a role model for her students, a respected colleague, and a powerful advocate for empowering women and promoting social change in our community.”

In collaboration with WOUB Public Media and the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library, Ohio University Chillicothe will host a Women’s History Month screening of Free for All: The Public Library on Tuesday, March 25 at 6 p.m. in the Bennett Hall Auditorium. Afterward, a panel discussion will feature librarians from public, school, and university libraries.