KU events will commemorate 50th anniversary of February Sisters movement

LAWRENCE — Throughout April 2022, University of Kansas partners will host a series of events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the February Sisters occupation of the East Asian studies building, a demonstration intended to draw attention to gender inequities on the KU campus.

On Feb. 9, 1972, the February Sisters — a group of 35 women and four of their children — occupied the building for 13 hours to demand change at the university, including the establishment of Hilltop Day Care Center, the development of a Women’s Studies program and major, the accessibility of birth control pills and gynecological exams through Student Health Services, the appointment of more women administrators and the implementation of a federally mandated affirmative action program.

KU’s Department of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity, Hall Center for the Humanities and the Watkins Museum of History invite the public to programming for further reflection on how the February Sisters movement has informed activism and equity at KU.

“We’re very excited to co-host these panels and explore the significance of the February Sisters, not just at the time, but in the 50 years since,” said Nick Syrett, current chair of the women, gender & sexuality studies department. “To that end, we’ve lined up a fantastic group of panelists — including student activists and Kansas politicians — who can speak to us about the current state of gender and racial inequality and what they’re all doing to make our university and our state more equitable for all people.”

A schedule of events:
 
“Celebrating 50 Years of the February Sisters featuring Robin Morgan, author of ‘Sisterhood is Powerful’”
6:30-8 p.m. April 5
KU Memorial Union, Centennial Room
With a reception to follow, 8-9 p.m.
 
“Listening to All Voices: Women & Politics”
6:30-8 p.m. April 7
Lawrence Public Library, Auditorium
 
“We Demand: The Call for Healthcare, Childcare, Affirmative Action & Leadership Reforms at KU”
6:30-8 p.m. April 12
KU Memorial Union, Centennial Room
 
“50 Years Later: Current Student Activism at KU”
6:30-8 p.m. April 14
KU Memorial Union, Centennial Room.

For more information, including a link to watch the panels live, visit http://wgss.ku.edu/50-years-february-sisters.

If you have any questions or require a reasonable accommodation to participate in these events, please email wgss@ku.edu.