Cal State San Bernardino kicked off its month-long Womxn’s History Month celebration with an inclusive and insightful Opening Ceremony on Monday, March 4, which brought together students, faculty and staff. The event was held at the Santos Manuel Student Union North from 8:30-11 a.m. More than 75 attendees gathered to enjoy a buffet breakfast and to listen to an engaging panel discussion based on this month's theme, Sisterhood & Solidarity.

The Womxn’s History Month committee, co-chaired by Kalie King and Amber Adams, set a tone of inclusivity.

“We want to create an environment where everybody feels welcome,” said King. “This is for us to come together and recognize the things that womxn in our culture, in our country and in our world have done, and to focus on the way those things are still positively impacting us today.”

The panel featured a diverse group of womxn, including Jennifer Sorenson, senior associate vice president, Facilities Planning and Management; Lynniece Warren, executive director of Risk Management; Rowena Casis-Woidyla, director of Leadership Development and Employee Enrichment; and Albina Guerrero, assistant manager, Facilities Services.

The panelists tackled a variety of questions, including what they hoped the campus community would gain from Womxn’s History Month. Casis-Woidyla urged, “Find ways to partner with other womxn. Let’s break down the barriers.”

Warren added, “My hope is we celebrate the womxn not only in our professional spaces but in our personal spaces, as well.”

The Opening Ceremony for Women's History Month featured a panel discussion.
The panel discussion, facilitated by Women’s History Month Committee co-chairs, Kalie King and Amber Adams, featured panelists Jennifer Sorenson, Albina Guerrero, Lynniece Warren and Rowena Casis-Woidyla.

During the panel discussion, each speaker shared personal anecdotes and professional insights. Sorenson highlighted the role of the Women in Facilities group in fostering a sense of sisterhood, while Guerrero emphasized the power of solidarity and “womxn joining together to reach a common goal.” Casis-Woidyla spoke about the importance of “knowing who you are,” and Warren underscored the significance of having a value system and a mentor.

The panelists offered insights into the challenges and successes faced by womxn in their professional and personal spheres. Sorenson elicited laughter when addressing a lighthearted but shared frustration among womxn: the lack of pockets in women’s clothing.

Warren reflected on what success means to her and how important it is to treat others well and “leave places better than I found them.” During a particularly poignant moment, Casis-Woidyla shared about the recent loss of her father and how vital it is to be aware of the resources and support available, especially during difficult times.

Sorenson summed up the discussion: “It’s important to have events like this. We’re not all the same, and that’s great because that provides a richer discussion. You hear what we have in common, but then you also appreciate our differences.”

Reflecting on the event, master of science in entrepreneurship and innovation graduate student Sri Latha remarked on the importance of self-discovery and adaptability, noting, “I learned that discovering oneself is a journey with many facets. ... Careers are not linear; they weave through unforeseen paths.”

The Opening Ceremony set an inclusive and reflective tone for the remainder of Womxn’s History Month, encouraging the CSUSB community to celebrate the contributions of womxn while fostering an environment of mutual support and growth.

At CSUSB we intentionally spell womxn with an X as an objection to the patriarchal idea that womxn are an extension to men and the inclusion of all womxn go beyond just cis-women.

For more information, visit the Womxn’s History Month website.

Visit the Womxn’s History Month events page to view a comprehensive calendar.