Advocating for Women’s Equity In Spite of Barriers

Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a series dedicated to commemorating Women’s History Month at UTRGV.

The National Women’s History Alliance has established this year’s Women’s History Month theme to be “women who advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.” This is a theme that challenges the anti-DEI laws agenda that Texas Senate Bill 17 enforces in public institutions. 

As of Jan. 1, TX SB17 is effective for compliance of all Texas public institutions of higher education. Section 3 of the bill amends Section 51 of the Texas Education Code, which establishes in Sec. 51.9317 that state-funded institutions cannot maintain or establish a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office with the purpose of “(A) influencing hiring or employment practices at the institution with respect to race, sex, color, or ethnicity, other than through the use of color-blind and sex-neutral hiring processes in accordance with any applicable state and federal antidiscrimination laws; (B) promoting differential treatment of or providing special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, color, or ethnicity.”

Furthermore, the bill also prohibits institutions from soliciting DEI statements that might influence its hiring or employment practices in line with promoting differential treatment. 

All Texas public institutions have complied with the language of the bill. At UTRGV, discourse and speculation surrounding its effect on campus have varied across the communities affected regarding gender, race and other identity factors. 

Interdisciplinary Studies Assistant Professor Silvia Solis reflects on the possible effects of SB17 in the commemoration of Women’s History Month at the institutional level considering this year’s theme. 

“We live in Texas, where currently DEI centers are being shut down,” Solis said. “I believe it is a really important theme. I am sure it is in relation to all of the policies coming through with Senate Bill 17.” 

According to her, many university officials and faculty members may be at a stand still on what they are allowed to do to commemorate women’s history and still comply with the bill’s guidelines. 

Events that have been a tradition in the past, such as the International Women’s Day luncheon, which serves as the award ceremony for the “Outstanding Female International Student” scholarship, will not be commemorated nor awarded this year. International Admission and Student Services has offered the scholarship yearly since 2015. 

Pulse Magazine reached out for interviews with IASS Director Samantha Lopez and Jodie Dominguez, Director of the Center for Student Involvement, to inquire about the lack of signature women’s history events this year. However, as of press time, they did not respond. 

Cathryn Merla-Watson, the coordinator for the Gender and Women’s Studies Program, said that, given the current hostile climate toward initiatives and topics related to  women’s equity, diversity and inclusion, it is very risky to talk about the issues in the classroom. 

“But I do it and I feel like it’s an ethical and moral obligation to do so,” Merla-Watson said.

She said the celebrations of Women’s History Month manifested on- and off-campus are important not only to change the public perception or discourse around women’s struggles and history, but also for women in local communities to connect and build networks or support. 

Solis encourages students to use education as a tool for promoting the causes, despite restrictions, similar to how women’s movements have historically organized to create change.

“It’s an opportunity for students to step up and create the initiatives they want to see on campus,” she said. 

Merla-Watson recommends students to join organizations that coincide with causes they want to advocate for. She also promotes the creation of events and initiatives that will help create spaces on campus to commemorate and celebrate women’s history. 

“At moments like this, where it seems like all gloom and doom, we are actually still doing the work,” she said. “We are always going to do the work.”