Pitt-Bradford to honor 'Visionary Women'

Pitt-Bradford will celebrate “Visionary Women” during its Women's History Month activities in March.

All events will be free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

The month will kick off with a program at 7 p.m. March 4 in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons, where those attending will be invited to tell stories or talk about the women who have influenced them, take part in group discussions and enjoy refreshments. The Diamond Steppers, Pitt-Bradford's popular step team, will also perform at the event.

At noon on March 5 in the University Room, actress Laura Keyes, a historical interpreter known for her portrayals of Mary Todd Lincoln and other famous women, will speak about her experience creating shows from concept to finished product.

That evening, Little Green Pig Theatrical Concern of Raleigh, N.C., will present “Horses,” a new performance piece by Dana Marks with original music. It begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theater in Blaisdell Hall.

On March 13, Cherish the Ladies, one of the top Celtic groups in the world, will bring Irish music to the stage of the Bromeley Family Theater beginning at 7:30 p.m. The group of five Irish-American women formed in New York City in 1985 to celebrate the rise of women in what had been a male-dominated music scene.

A wine and cheese tasting beginning at 6 p.m. is included with tickets, which cost $30 each for the public. Tickets are available from the Bromeley Family Theater Box Office by calling (814)362-5113 or online at www.upb.pitt.edu/TheArts.

On March 19, Beth Ann Fennelly will read from her work at 7:30 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room. Fennelly is the Poet Laureate of Mississippi and teaches in the Master of Fine Arts program at the University of Mississippi, where she was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year. She has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Pushcart Prize and a Fulbright fellowship to Brazil. For more information, visit www.bethannfennelly.com.

Filmmaker Pam Maus will be on campus March 21 and 22 for discussions and a screening of two of her documentaries, “From the Second Wave to the Tidal Wave” and “NextStepRun!.”

Maus will speak about women in filmmaking at 4 p.m. March 21 in the Bromeley Family Theater. On March 22, her documentaries will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in the Bromeley Theater, followed by a panel discussion featuring Maus, faculty and students. There is a $5 charge for the film screening and panel discussion.

“From the Second Wave to the Tidal Wave” looks at the stories of three 1960s activists who have returned to the fight for gender equality following the 2016 election. “NextStepRun!” follows four women throughout the country as they run for their respective local House of Representative seats in Arkansas, Maine, Michigan and Oklahoma in 2014.

The popular annual Empty Bowls and Baskets dinner will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. March 21 in the Mukaiyama University Room. Diners pay $10 to receive a simple meal and homemade bowl, basket or other item. Proceeds benefit The Friendship Table.

The final event will be a reading by local poet Helen Ruggieri at 7 p.m. April 1 in the University Room.

Other student-led events throughout the month include a panel discussion, interactive event, trivia night and a free showing of the movie, “Black Swan.” For more events, visit Pitt-Bradford's events calendar at www.upb.pitt.edu/calendar/.