The Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies hosted a chamber music theatre show covering different periods of the lives of groundbreaking African-American women in a recitation of Sojourner Truth’s famous speech “Ain’t I A Woman.”

Along with The Department of English and The Department of Theatre and Dance, the March. 22 show was produced by The Core Ensemble and performed by pianist Alfonso Hernandez and actress Deltoiya Goodman. The original stage adaption was written by Akin Babatunde.

“We knew women’s history month was coming up, and even though we’re the Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies we’ve never done any programming for women’s history month,” said Barclay Barrios, Director of the Center of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program. “I want people to learn about these four women’s lives in a way that provides context to the struggles they faced and the victories they won in their own lives.”

Adult Education major Dilcia Phillips said that she attended the event because it felt like the appropriate way to celebrate women’s history month.

“It’s important everyday, but even more so, women’s history month we focus on ourselves a little more and the young people coming up behind me I just hope it gives them some history of the past and strength for the future,” Phillips said. “Young women are still moving and shaking this world.”

Barrios said he hopes the department will organize more programming for women’s history month in the future.

Mackenzie Guiry is a contributing writer with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected]