Celebrate Women in March

March is Women's History Month. The 2009 theme is Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet, and the National Women's History Project is honoring 100 women who have taken the lead in the environmental or "green" movement.

March 8 is International Women's Day, celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some countries, IWD is a national holiday.

March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. "HIV is Right Here at Home" is the theme for 2009. Women comprise about 27% of HIV infections in the United States, and 19% of reported cases in Alaska.

Locally, The Alaska Women's Hall of Fame inducts its inaugural class on March 6. The ceremony honors 50 women who have made or are making significant contributions to the shaping of Alaska. Lucy Frey, a founder of Alaska's lesbian community, is one of the women being honored.

Another of the inductees is Lena Morrow, subject of the play Make Good the Fires by Arlitia Jones. Lena came to Alaska in 1912 when women were just getting the vote. She was a socialist, activist, journalist, feminist and even ran for office in 1916. The play runs March 13-29 at Cyrano's.

The LunaFest Film Festival on March 20-21 presents ten short films by and about women. Proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Fund and local nonprofit women's organizations. LunaFest is showing at Out North and is sponsored in part by UAA Women's Studies. 

If you know about other Alaskan events celebrating women during March, please share your information in the comments.

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