EIS InterCultural Focus March 2015 (PDF)

InterCultural Focus
Intag

March Events
03.05 Campus-Wide Purim Event with
LGBTSS
6:00 PM, The Hill
03.06 LMU Harvard LLI Presentation
3:00 – 6:00 PM, Location TBD
03.14 Fusion 2015
8:00 PM – 12:00 AM, U-Hall Atrium
03.17 Third Tuesday
7:00 – 9:00 PM, The Living Room
03.20 Campus-Wide Shabbat Dinner
6:00 PM, The Hill
03.25 The Studio
7:00 – 9:30 PM, DejaView Theater
03.26 Cesar Chavez Interfaith Service
12:15 – 1:30 PM, Sacred Heart Chapel

March 2015

A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
I hope your academic year is progressing nicely and that your
campuses are filled with life and excitement.
In this issue you will read updates about key programming,
services, recognitions, student highlights, and LA opportunities.
More details regarding these can now be found in this
newsletter. I encourage you to take advantage of the program
opportunities available through EIS. If you have not registered
for a graduation celebration, please consider doing so. I extend
my sincere gratitude and thanks to those who have stepped
forward and engaged in the work of providing quality student
development.
It is my pleasure to serve you, alongside the very talented group
of EIS professionals. I look forward to your continuing
engagement this Spring semester.

Women’s History Month: Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives

March is National Women’s History Month. Every year the National Women’s History Project selects a unifying theme to
be shared with all who want to promote women’s history. This year’s theme presents the opportunity to weave women’s
stories – individually and collectively – into the essential fabric of our nation’s history.
Accounts of the lives of individual women are critically important because they reveal exceptionally strong role models who
share a more expansive vision of what a woman can do. The stories of women’s lives, and the choices they made, encourage
girls and young women to think larger and bolder, and give boys and men a fuller understanding of the female experience.
Knowing women’s achievements challenges stereotypes and upends social assumptions about who women are and what
women can accomplish today.
There is a real power in hearing women’s stories, both personally and in a larger context. Remembering and recounting tales
of our ancestors’ talents, sacrifices, and commitments inspires today’s generations and opens the way to the future.
2015 is also the 35th anniversary of the Women’s History Movement and the National Women’s History Project. We are
proud that, after decades of dedicated research and technological advances, the stories of American women from all cultures
and classes are accessible and visible as never before. Numerous scholars and activists helped shape the Women’s History
Movement, and also provided the research and energy which created and sustains the National Women’s History Project.
During 2015, we recognize and celebrate the many ways that women’s history has become woven into the fabric of our
national story.
For more information on this article, please visit the National Women’s History Project website HERE.

Brief Timeline: How Did Women's History
Month Come into Existence?
According to the federal website devoted to Women's
History Month, the United States Congress established
Women's History Month albeit first as a "week," not an
entire month. Starting in 1981 and every year for the
next five years, Congress continued to pass resolutions
marking "Women’s History Week." Eventually it
became an entire month. However, it's important to see
Women's History Month within a gradual expansion of
women's rights legislation dating to the 1960s.
1963: Equal Pay Act.
1964: Civil Rights Act.
1977: Title IX Implemented

Women’s History Month Trivia Quiz
Answers are located at the end of the newsletter.
1. Who was the first woman in modern history to lead a
major Native-American tribe, the Cherokee Nation?
2. Who is considered the first American woman to be
ordained by full denominational authority in 1864, and who
also campaigned vigorously for full woman suffrage?
3. Who was the ecologist writer whose path breaking book,
“Silent Spring” in 1962 initiated the environmental
movement?
Margaret Zierdt. (2015). Women’s History Month Quiz. Santa Rosa,
CA: National Women’s History Project.

1981: Congress passed authorized and requested the
President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982
as “Women’s History Week."

Women’s HERstory Month at LMU

1987: After being petitioned by the National Women’s
History Project, Congress designated March as
“Women’s History Month."

03.03 Women Hall of Fame and Kick-Off
Convo Hour, Lawton Palm Walk

1988 - 1994: Congress passed additional resolutions
authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year
as Women’s History Month.
1995: Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued
annual proclamations designating the month of March as
“Women’s History Month.”

Presented by Marians Service Organization

03.17 Women in the Arts and Media Panel
Convo Hour, Seaver 100
03.25 Poetry Slam and Empowerment Night
7:00 – 9:30 PM, Bird’s Nest
03.26 Girl Rising Documentary Screening
7:00 – 9:30 PM, Seaver 100

Student Spotlight: Christian Goodie
Major: Communication and Fine Arts
Student Classification: Senior
Hometown: Granada Hills, CA

Describe your participation with Praxis, why did you choose to get involved with this program?
“My participation in Praxis is both founding father to the program and older brother to the group. Most of the brothers in the
Praxis Academy are younger then me, so I try to be a positive older brother figure to the guys while mentoring them as well. I chose
to get involved with this program last year once former office of black student service director Melvin Roberts ran the program past
me. I saw this program as great resource and vehicle to give back and reach great pinnacles along side other like minded African
American leaders on campus. This program exemplifies Black Male Achievement and focuses on the central aspects of
Brotherhood, Mentorship, Networking, Professionalism, Service, and Leadership as significant ways to further our community.
This is a great program for African American males to be involved in and serves as a remarkable tool for "educating the whole
person"

What are your passions and what are you involved with, both on and off campus?
My passion lies in social justice and with the arts, hence why I am a "communication and fine arts" major. I am passionate about
social justice because through my experiences of traveling while here at LMU, through studying abroad in Ghana, West Africa,
participating in a 10 day leadership program to Japan, and leading an Alternative Breaks trip to South Africa focusing on the
Social Justice issue of Special Needs and disabilities, I've learned that we live in a very rich, diverse, and beautiful world with so
many phenomenal cultures and people. However, I have also learned that there are many issues in the world that need a voice to
stand behind, that need citizens to speak up for, that need leaders to write legislature to address. I have learned that their are
people who need hope, who need love, who need comfort, who need a voice saying "I'm here for you, as well as you can be
whatever you want to be". I have seen it, felt it, and made it my duty if not anyone else's to be that voice. I essentially want to be an
actor and social entrepreneur using this platform to be and advocate for social justice. With this platform I want inspire thousands,
even millions, to be advocates for social justice and passionate for social change. But if I can't inspire the mass I can inspire at
least inspire one,and if I at least inspire one then I've done my job, I'm successful. Furthermore I am involved with the Shepherd of
the Hills Church children's ministry, with a social entrepreneurial start up company named Delta Books, developing two post trip
actions for my trips abroad, and working on an business model canvas for a non-profit I would like to start.”

Tomodachi Inouye Scholars:
Japanese Student Visit

This March, the LMU Tomodachi Inouye Scholars
will host students from Sophia University. The
Japanese students spend the day at LMU, where
they will attend classes, participate in a unity lunch,
and display a library exhibit about the Tomodachi
Inouye Scholars Program.

Giovanni Douresseau to Give
Motivational Speeches, Awarded
Scholarship

Giovanni Douresseau will be giving two
motivational speeches at an elementary school in
Manhattan Beach after students watched his
inspirational documentary about overcoming his
obstacles through surfing. Douresseau has also
been offered a scholarship to pursue graduate
studies in Japan.

Student Spotlight: Miriam Vega
Major: Communication Studies & Women’s Studies
Student Classification: Senior
Hometown: Inglewood, CA
Describe your participation in LLI and your community outreach project.
“Last year, I was selected to take part in the Latino Leadership Initiative along with four other LMU students. Throughout our
conference, we were asked to engage in thought-provoking reflections and meaningful dialogue. After careful observation, our
group noticed that many of the participants thanked their parents for their sacrifice and unconditional support throughout their
educational journey. For this reason, we decided to create a daylong conference for parents and students in which we could
discuss the importance of a college education. We believe it is essential to include both the parents and the students in the
college application process, a crucial step in many of our lives. We have reached out to various communities, including my own,
with invitations to our conference. We hope this conference starts the dialogue about higher education in many homes thus
leading to the increase of Latinos in college.”

What are your passions and what are you involved with, both on and off campus?
“I am strongly passionate about the issues of education and immigration. These issues have had a direct impact in my life as an
undocumented student and I am a passionate advocate for both. During my time here at LMU, I have been involved in numerous
clubs including El Espejo, where I have served as a mentor for students of Lennox Middle School (my former middle school) for
the last three years, Belles Service Organization, which provides me with weekly service opportunities at Richstone Family
Center and lastly, RESILIENCE, a social justice club on campus that provides a safe space for students like myself to come
together in reflection and advocacy. In addition to participation in this program, I am active volunteer for the Los Angeles
Mayor’s office.”

What are your plans for the future?
“Upon graduation, I plan to complete a year of service in Los Angeles and then pursue a Masters of Social Welfare degree at
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. I then intend to get some years of experience in the work field to later purse a doctorate
degree.”

Excelencia in Education:
An Analysis on Hispanic-Serving Institutions
According to a new study conducted by Excelencia in
Education, 60% of Hispanic undergraduate students
are enrolled in Hispanic serving instituions. In
addition, the analysis also found that the number of
states with Hispanic serving insitutions has increased
from 13 to 21 and undergraduate enrollment in these
universities has increased by 230% within twenty
years.
Excelencia in Education. (2015). Hispanic-Serving Institutions,
2013-14. Washington, DC: Excelencia in Education.

Upcoming Deadlines
Deadlines for Fall Study Abroad and FAFSA are
approaching fast. Be sure to fill out your
applications as soon as possible!
March 2: Fall 2015 Study Abroad Application Deadline
March 2: FAFSA due for returning students

EVENTS IN LOS ANGELES

American
by Priscilla Torres

th

4 Annual Jewish Women’s Conference of Southern
California, UCLA
March 1
Event Information
Andell Family Sundays: Art of Ancient Colombia,
LACMA
March 1, 8, 29
Event Information
Celtic Faire at Fairplex, Pomona
March 7 – 8
Event Information
Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition, California Science
Center
March 10 – September 7, 2015
Event Information
A Taste Around the World Food Festival, Monrovia
March 15, 2015
Event Information
Norooz Festival & Persian Parade, Los Angeles
March 21, 2015
Event Information
Cherry Blossom Festival, Descanso Gardens, La Canada
Flintridge
March 21 – 22, 2015
Event Information

Alternative Break:
Human Trafficking and Land Rights in the
Philippines
The Center for Service and Action is still accepting
applications for the alternative break to the Philippines. The
trip is centered on human trafficking and land rights. The
cost of the trip is $2,000. If you are interested in
participating, please contact the Alternative Breaks Team at
alternativebreakslmu@gmail.com or stop by the Center for
Service and Action located in St. Robert’s Annex.

I walked in,
My eyes soared past the global view,
The influence one event can have,
The articles of proof.
This isn’t a made up story,
Or something of the science fiction age.
This is real.
It happened not too long ago.
I felt my body slowly drifting back in time.
I could see the faces,
The faces of people I knew,
My friends’ families,
Their history as a familial entity,
A community of collective souls.
The destruction,
The sheer destruction.
It was astounding.
For a moment I felt empty,
Completely devoid of wholeness.
My blood did this.
My ancestors did this.
All in the name of America,
All in the name of freedom,
All in the name of diplomacy,
All in the name of a war.
I have never felt more American,
I have never felt more guilt,
More shame,
More responsibility,
Over something I had no control over.
My own kind did this.
Americans.
The people of the United States of America.
But what’s worse?
Humans,
Humans did this to humans.
One line has permeated my thoughts every day since,
You have a responsibility,
This can’t happen again,
Promise me you won’t let this happen again.

5th Annual Lavender Graduation
Celebration
The fifth annual lavender graduation celebration is set
to take place on Saturday, May 2, 2015 in Murphy
Recital Hall. The ceremony will take place at 10:00
AM and the reception will follow at 11:00 AM.

Student Spotlight: Trent Nakamura
Major: Film Production & Recording Arts
Student Classification: Senior
Hometown: Honolulu, HI

Why did you choose to work at Ethnic & Intercultural Services?
“I chose to work in Ethnic and Intercultural Services because I wanted to stay in touch with my roots when I moved from Hawaii
to the mainland. Celebrating culture and identity is a constant when living in the islands. Because of this, I wanted to not only
maintain my cultural identity, but also learn about others.”

What are your passions and what are you involved with, both on and off campus?
“I could talk about movies and filmmaking forever. I also love music, social media, and my friends. On campus, I serve as the
director of the Asian Pacific American Coalition and the Membership Development Chair of the Gender Sexuality Alliance. Off
Campus, I'm currently interning under the Producer of a commercial company called Knox Avenue.”

What are your plans for the future?
“I plan to work in the film industry as an independent producer. I have always been concerned with minority representation in
media and hope to increase our representation appropriately in my work.”

Apply for Teach for America
Teach for America is currently accepting applications for the 2015
Corps. The last deadline for seniors to apply this year is March 6. In
addition, March 6 is the early application deadline for students
graduating between July 2015 – June 2016 for the 2016 Corps!
Please contact Emily Fizer at Emily.Fizer@teachforamerica.org for
more information.

Women’s \History Month Quiz: Answers
1. Wilma Mankiller (1945 – 2010)
2. Olympia Brown (1835 – 1926)
3. Rachel Carson (1907 – 1964)

Would you like to contribute to the
InterCultural Focus newsletter?
Please submit your ideas or articles via email at
eis@lmu.edu for review by our
Newsletter Committee.

EIS Social Media Merger
APSS, BSS, CLSS, and JSL Facebook pages will be
consolidated into the EIS Facebook page by summer
2015. If you are interested in receiving news and
updates from these departments, please follow EIS on
Facebook HERE.

Malone 301
eis@lmu.edu  (310) 338-5808