In recognition of Women’s History Month, Wilkes University hosted “Equalitea,” a campus event that combined historical reflection, community engagement and academic discussion. Held on March 24 in the Sordoni Art Gallery, the event invited students and faculty to gather over tea and pastries while engaging in conversations about equality, history and the role of women’s and gender studies.
Women’s History Month, observed annually in March, traces its origins to the women’s rights movement and efforts to recognize the contributions of women in American history. From the fight for suffrage in the early 20th century to ongoing advocacy for gender equality, the observance serves as both a celebration and a call to continued awareness and action.
Events like Equalitea reflect these goals by creating spaces for dialogue, education and community-building.
The event featured refreshments from Front Porch Bakery, fostering a welcoming atmosphere that encouraged open conversation among attendees from a variety of academic disciplines. Organizers emphasized the importance of inclusivity and the importance of interdisciplinary perspectives in discussion about gender and equality.
Kailey Rocker, assistant professor of anthropology, described the purpose of the event as both celebratory and reflective.
“The event is called Equalitea, and we are celebrating the American Revolution. We are celebrating the Women’s and Gender study minor here at Wilkes University,” Rocker said.
“This event is just to bring people together who are interested in similar topics, who are also interested in talking about the concept of equality, especially if it intersects with our nation’s history and also with the discipline of women and gender studies.” Rocker continued.
Rocker further emphasized the value of shared dialogue in academic spaces.
“For me, this event has been an opportunity to meet students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, who are brought together by their love of conversation, their love of building community.” Rocker stated.
She continued speaking about the importance of events such as Equalitea, because they can be used to reflect on the past and where women stand in the present day.
Student involvement also played a significant role in the event’s impact. Mallori Vanko, a junior psychology major, contributed by creating promotional materials and voter registration resources aimed at increasing awareness.
“I actually helped out with the event; I made a poster. I made some voter registration things too, to spread awareness,” Vanko said.
She continued stating the importance of women’s history and how spreading awareness can do so much for the community.
“I think it’s good to be able to spread awareness about women’s history and suffrage movement and women’s rights. I think having these events is a good way to get people involved in the awareness aspect.” She said.
When asked about potentially pursuing a minor in Women’s and Gender studies, she added, “I’m thinking about it.”
Equalitea also served as a preview for the university’s upcoming Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) Conference, which will continue the conversation on a larger academic scale.
The annual conference is scheduled for March 30-31 in the Henry Student Center, with events taking place on the second floor.
The keynote address, “An Equality of Mind”: The Value of Women’s Education in Early National American, will be held March 30 at 7 p.m. in the Jean and Paul Adams Commons.
The conference will feature a range of sessions exploring historical and contemporary issues in gender studies, encouraging continued engagement with the themes introduced during Equalitea. Faculty, students, and community members are invited to attend and participate in discussions that examine the intersections of history, education, and social progress.
As Women’s History Month continues, events like Equalitea highlight the importance of recognizing past achievements while fostering meaningful conversations about the present and future. By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, Wilkes University reinforces its commitment to education, inclusivity and the ongoing pursuit of equality.
