Women’s History Month celebrations across the Inland Empire are highlighting the achievements, leadership, andcultural contributions of women throughout March, with several events placing a special focus on the voices and experiences of Black women in the region.
Libraries, colleges, cultural institutions, and business organizations in Riverside and San Bernardino counties are hostinga range of programs that include community conversations, leadership panels, art workshops, and public history discussions.
At the Inghram Branch Library in San Bernardino, a Women’s History Month zine workshop scheduled for March 18 willinvite participants to create their own small publications celebrating women’s stories and achievements.
The program encourages community members to reflect on women who have shaped their lives and communities while learning the basics of independent publishing and storytelling.
Community storytelling and creative expression are recurring themes in this year’s programming as many events aim to amplify personal narratives and highlight the often overlooked contributions of women in local history.
Later in the month, a public history program in Riverside titled “She Built This City: Women and the Making of Riverside,”scheduled for March 26, will explore the role women played in shaping the city’s civic, cultural and economic development.
The discussion will examine how women have helped build local institutions and community networks, even when their contributions were rarely documented in traditional historical narratives.
Universities throughout the Inland Empire are also hosting Women’s History Month programming centered on leadership, social justice and community advocacy.
California State University, San Bernardino has organized a series of campus events throughout March that include film screenings, educational panels and wellness discussions.
Some of the programming focuses specifically on issues affecting Black women, including health and communityadvocacy, while other events highlight women’s leadership and activism more broadly.
The campus programming is designed to bring students, faculty and community members together to reflect on thelegacy of women’s contributions and to discuss ongoing challenges related to gender equity.
Riverside City College is also hosting a Women’s History Month series that includes conversations about the leadershipexperiences of women of color in education and community organizing.
The programs aim to create spaces where students can hear directly from women leaders about navigating professional and civic life.
Beyond educational institutions, business and civic organizations are also recognizing women’s impact in the region.
On March 30, the Inland Cities East chapter of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce will host“Trailblazing Women of the Inland Empire: Vision, Voice and Victory” in San Bernardino.
The event will recognize women leaders, entrepreneurs and community advocates whose work has helped shape economic and civic life throughout the Inland Empire.
Organizers say the recognition event is intended to celebrate the accomplishments of women who are often working behind the scenes in business, nonprofit and community leadership roles.
The program is expected to highlight women whose work has advanced economic opportunity, mentorship and community development across the region.
Women’s History Month was first established as a national observance in 1987 after years of advocacy by educators andhistorians who sought greater recognition for women’s contributions to American history.
The annual observance has since grown into a nationwide series of educational and cultural events each March.
Across the Inland Empire, local programming continues to reflect the diversity of the region and the many ways women have shaped community life.
