2026 Women’s History Month at Alvernia

On Campus & Local Events, Book Recommendations, History & More

All are welcome to join Alvernia University at the following events on campus and locally during Women's History Month. Events that are open to the public are listed as such. In honor of the countless women who raise their voices in support of women’s rights, The National Women’s History Alliance has chosen “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future” as the theme for Women’s History Month 2026. Throughout 2026, the NWHA will encourage recognition of women, past and present, who have been leading the change in designing blueprints for sustainable transformation in all forms of intertwined issues.

Alvernia Women's Council (AWC)

Since its inception, the AWC has spearheaded numerous programs, including the AWC Fall Luncheon, the AWC mentorship program, on-campus student programs focused on personal and professional development, quarterly networking events and cultivation events are meant to inspire and strengthen the engagement of AWC members to each other and the University. The AWC is open to the campus, alumni and local community. Learn more about it HERE.

On Campus

National Catholic Sisters Week: March 8-14

In 1926, the seeds for Alvernia University were planted by women. Nearly 100 years later, the Franciscan Catholic roots of those original seeds run deep as four women hold top positions, including the first female lay president in Alvernia’s history, Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. Click HERE to read more about the Sisters' legacy and how Alvernia's leading women are continuing it.

Women’s History Month Chef Spotlight: Every Monday in March

• Time: 11:00am-3:00pm
• Location: Student Center Dining Hall
• Description: This Women’s History Month, we will honor our chefs whose perseverance, resilience, and creativity inspire dishes that bring people together. This month will feature a spotlight of one of our own Pack Hospitality team members!  

Coffee & Donuts with the Sisters  March 10

• Time: 8:45am-10:00pm
• Location: McGlinn Dining Hall
• Description: In honor of National Catholic Sisters Week and sponsored by Staff Senate, enjoy coffee and donuts with the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, the foundresses of Alvernia. Ask questions about Alvernia's Franciscan heritage and traditions, as well as their experiences on and off campus.  

Let’s Talk About It - Women’s History: March 11

• Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
• Location: Campus Commons Living Room

The Greater Reading Area Dance Exchange Festival: March 13-15

• Time: March 13 & 14, 7:30pm; March 15, 4:00pm
• Location: Francis Hall Theatre
• Tickets: RESERVE YOURS HERE

• Description: Alvernia is sponosring a celebration of dance in Berks County and America’s 250th anniversary. The G.R.A.D.E. Festival brings together adult-focused performance groups for the first time in Berks County history! Confirmed artists & organizations in alphabetical order:

  The Actor’s School
  Albright College Dance Team
  Alvernia University Dance Company
  Alvernia University Dance Team
  Amanda Pena (Flamenco)
  Barrio Alegria/ Grupo Aurhani (Mexican Folk Dance)
  Go Getter Movement Studioz (Aerial Dance)
  Helena Zahra (Bellydance)
  Heritage Hotties/ The Heritage of Green Hills (Dance/ Pom Team for Older Adults)
  Hooley School of Irish Dance
  JCWK Dance Lab (Contemporary Dance)
  Klassic Contemporary Ballet Company
  Latin AF Dance Company
  Que Rico Latin Dance Company
  Reading Rebelettes (Reading Rebels Dance Team)
  Reading Royals’ Ice Angels
  WH Dance Academy (Latin Dance)
  Xion Step and Dance Team (Albright College)

Let’s Talk About It - Intersectionality: March 18

• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Campus Commons Living Room
• Description: In honor of Women's History Month, join us for a discussion about women's struggles and the ways in which overlapping identities uniquely affect women. Come to express your thoughts or to just listen.

Women’s History Month Resource Fair: March 25

• Time: 11:30-1:30pm
• Location: Student Center Dining Hall
• Description: Come meet with various community members in Berks County to learn about resources and services available to ALL students. Get a chance to meet with the new Director of Social Services, Dr. Cattima Cirksey, meet Visiting Professor of Theology, Dr. Kathryn Davis, and enter for a chance to win gift cards!

Women’s History Month Trivia Night: March 26

• Time: 5:00-6:00pm
• Location: Bernardine Hall Lecture Hall
• Description: Come join the Office of JEI and Visiting Professor of Theology, Dr. Kathryn Davis, for a speed round of women’s history facts! Learn something new and get the chance to win prizes along the way!

In The Community

International Women's Day 2026 Celebration of Resilience: March 5

• Time: 6:00-7:30pm
• Location: Women’s Center of Montgomery County
• Description: Join the Women’s Center of Montgomery County’s International Women’s Day Celebration of Resilience: Transforming Challenges into Triumphs! They celebrate 50 years in this powerful evening of courage, transformation, and hope.
• Register Here.

Leading the Way: Women in Leadership: March 27

• Time: 7:30-9:00pm
• Location: United Way of Berks County
• Description: In celebration of International Women's Month, United Way Emerging Leaders United (ELU) is excited to offer this exciting event designed to highlight the trailblazing women in Berks County. Attendees will have the opportunity to chat with each of our featured guests in a small group. These established women will be sharing their unique leadership journeys.
• Register Here.

Women’s History Month at the Museum of the American Revolution  

Celebrate Revolutionary women and unsung Revolutionaries throughout Women's History Month with the Museum this March. In the Museum’s galleries and online, experience a fuller and more inclusive history of the nation’s beginnings for all ages. Plan your visit.

Book Recommendations from the Frank A. Franco Library

Check out book recommendations from Information Literacy Librarian, Jo Dienst. Bolded titles below and starred titles in the attached PDF are available in the Franco Library collection, with other titles available through the Berks County Public Libraries.

Adult Fiction

• Woman Without Shame: Poems by Sandra Cisneros, 2022
• Fat Girls Dance by Cathleen Meredith, 2024
• For She is Wrath by Emily Varga, 2024
• Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix, 2025
• The Simple Art of Killing a Woman by Patricia Melo, 2023

Non-Fiction

• The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science by Dava Sobel, 2024
• Woman Walk the Line: How the Women in Country Music Changed Our Lives by Holly Gleason, 2017
• Mama: A Queer Black Woman’s Story of a Family Lost and Found by Nikkya Hargrove, 2024
• Sex Is A Spectrum: The Biological Limits of the Binary by Agustin Fuentes, 2025
• Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope by Amanda Nguyen, 2025

Academic Research

• Diagnosis Female: How Medical Bias Endangers Women’s Health by Emily Dwass, 2019
• Pathologies of Patriarchy: Death, Suffering, Care, and Coping in the Gendered Gaps of HIV/AIDS Interventions in Nigeria by Eloho Ese Basikoro, 2020
• Jewish Voices in Feminism: Transnational Perspectives by Nelly Las, 2015
• Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age by Kathleen Sheppard, 2024
• We Were Feminists Once: From Riot Grrrl to CoverGirl, the Buying and Selling of a Political Movement by Andi Zeisler, 2016

Jo’s Favorites (Your Information Literacy Librarian)

• A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang, 2024
• Pandora’s Jar: Women in the Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes, 2020
• Bog Queen by Anna North, 2025
• In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, 2019
• Who’s Afraid of Gender? By Judith Butler, 2024

Movies & TV Shows to Watch

Look What SHE Did! Series

Look What SHE Did! is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to inspire women and girls to greatness by bringing to light stories of remarkable women who changed the world. They create short films and events featuring female storytellers celebrating women who inspire them, freely offering the films to be viewed, discussed, and enjoyed.

“Ma Rainey's Black Bottom” on Netflix – 2020 (R)

In July 1927, Ma Rainey is a highly regarded blues singer who has recently been contracted by white producers. During a recording session, tensions rise between Ma, her ambitious horn player, who wishes to break free of Ma by securing his own record deal, and the white management determined to control the uncontrollable "Mother of the Blues.”  

“Hidden Figures” on Disney+ – 2016 (PG)

This inspiring film highlights the scientific contributions of three incredible women of color; Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. These brilliant African-American women working at NASA “served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history; the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit.”

“The Joy Luck Club” rent on Prime or Apple TV – 1993 (R)

In San Francisco, a group of aging Chinese women meet regularly to trade familial stories while playing Mahjong. In a series of sixteen short stories that span generations and continents, this adaptation of Amy Tan's bestselling novel explores cultural conflict and the often-turbulent relationships between four first-generation Chinese-American women and their mothers.

“A Ballerina’s Tale” on Roku – 2015 (R)

A feature documentary on African American ballerina Misty Copeland that examines her prodigious rise, her potentially career ending injury alongside themes of race and body image in the elite ballet world.

“Bridgerton” on Netflix – 2020 (TV-MA)

Based on the series by Julia Quinn, produced by Shonda Rhimes, and led by showrunner Jess Brownell, the eight close-knit siblings of the Bridgerton family look for love and happiness in London high society.

“Killing Eve” on Netflix – 2018-2022 (TV-14)

Super-spy Eve and assassin Villanelle go head-to-head in a fierce game of cat and mouse, with intrigue blossoming into obsession when the British spy pursues a playful, stylish and utterly ruthless assassin working for a mysterious organization.

“Barbie” on HBO MAX – 2023 (PG-13)

Directed by Greta Gerwig, it is the first film with a sole female director to surpass $1 billion in global box office revenue. Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the outside world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among regular humans.