Empowering women of UTRGV

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) will host its first virtual luncheon from 4 to 5 p.m. today to highlight women at UTRGV in observance of International Women’s Day. 

           “UTRGV’s responsibility to the community is to break down the wall between the halls, the academy and the community,” said Cathryn Merla-Watson, co-director of Gender and Women Studies at UTRGV. “So, offering opportunities for self-education and helping the broader public in the RGV and beyond to understand the sort of complexities that animate how women are oppressed … this year, in particular women have been sort of disproportionately burdened with dealing with this pandemic as caregivers, as mothers and sisters, as doctors, nurses, or even teachers.” 

           According to the International Women’s Day website, the goal is to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women; the day started in 1911. Merla-Watson added that the Socialist Party of America started the day.  

           She said women are marginalized, and thus, need to be highlighted. 

           The luncheon will have a four–UTRGV–women panel from various departments at the university. 

           Some panel speakers include professors and staff from the Gender Studies and Athletics departments. Additionally, others include from organizations, such as CAB and the TRiO Student Support Services. 

           Alejandra Santos, the cultural committee chair for CAB, has been working on the event since December. 

           She brainstormed several ideas. At first, she wanted to do something on Instagram where students sent her the names of professors or someone who uplifted them. After receiving feedback from her peers, she decided to do a virtual luncheon because it can be done in-person and remotely. 

           “I believe that International Women’s Day is, probably, one of the best holidays ever,” Santos said excitingly. “I [noticed] that CAB had never done anything for International Women’s Day, and I was like, ‘That’s not really fair.’”  

           While finding professors who’d speak during the event, Santos initially wanted women in STEM because she’s a student in the field. However, she felt that wouldn’t achieve her goal for inclusiveness. That, Santos said, was the main issue during the planning phase. 

           Santos fixed the issue by talking with Aaron Hinojosa, the program coordinator for Center for Diversity and Inclusion. After working together, the event will promote gender-neutral language and inclusiveness for the ever-growing UTRGV campus community. 

           Santos looks forward to hearing stories from the UTRGV women speakers. She added that she hopes students who attend the virtual luncheon will ask questions regarding what it’s like to be women and how they accomplished their goals. 

           “I am super busy with school and work,” Santos said. “I just wanted to be able to have an event in which I just get a chance to be surrounded by a lot of empowering girl bosses and I haven’t been able to do that here. I just want a chance to network … [and] make friends.” 

Merla-Watson said that participating in events such as this promotes activism. Before coming to UTRGV, she worked with the Esperanza Center for Peace and Justice in San Antonio, an organization that brings awareness about women from different backgrounds, to organize a women’s march. 

She added that, in addition to showing support for women’s accomplishments, there is work needed to further the goal for gender equity. 

           “Showing your support for not just celebrating women’s accomplishments, which is very important, but also showing support toward dismantling these kinds of systems that oppressed women,” Merla-Watson said. 

           To RSVP for the event, visit CAB’s V-Link page. For more information, email CAB@utrgv.edu.