Celebrating Inspirational Women

Santa Monica College (SMC) student Rian Decker, a sophomore anthropology and biology major and member of the SMC cheer squad, takes part in the SMC Women’s Day event by gleefully writing about the women in her life that inspire her during the SMC International Women’s Day event that took place on the SMC main campus, in front of the Library Walkway, in Santa Monica California on Thursday, March 8, 2018. The Women’s Day event welcomed all students to share inspirational stories about the inspirational women in their lives, and in the SMC community. (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

An attendee of the Santa Monica College International Women’s Day event takes part in the festivities by writing about the women in their life that inspire on purple paper, a universal color that represents all women, during the SMC International Women’s Day event that took place on the SMC main campus, in front of the Library Walkway, in Santa Monica California on Thursday, March 8, 2018. The Women’s Day event welcomed all students to share inspirational stories about the inspirational women in their lives, and in the SMC community. (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Santa Monica College (SMC) student Winnie Marcelin (center), a freshman communication studies major and a member of the SMC cheer squad, takes part in the SMC Women’s Day event by being focused while writing about the women in her life that inspire her during the SMC International Women’s Day event that took place on the SMC main campus, in front of the Library Walkway, in Santa Monica California on Thursday, March 8, 2018. The Women’s Day event welcomed all students to share inspirational stories about the inspirational women in their lives, and to celebrate the women in the SMC community. (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Members of the Santa Monica College cheer squad put on their purple bows with pride during the Santa Monica College International Women’s Day event that took place on the SMC main campus, in front of the Library Walkway, in Santa Monica California on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Internationally, the color purple that the women are wearing signifies dignity and justice and is a color that is universal in representing all women. (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Attendees of the Santa Monica College (SMC) International Women’s Day listen to Director of Student Assistance, SMC Women’s Day organizer, and key speaker Ana Laura Paiva (cq) during Santa Monica College International Women’s Day event that took place on the SMC main campus, in front of the Library Walkway, in Santa Monica California on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Paiva welcomed all the attendees of the Women’s Day event to come up and share inspirational stories about the inspirational women in their lives and to celebrate the women in the SMC community. (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Santa Monica College (SMC) student Klara Gadd (cq) listens as a peer of hers speaks during the during the Santa Monica College International Women’s Day event that took place on the SMC main campus, in front of the Library Walkway, in Santa Monica California on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Gadd would go on to give a tearful speech herself describing the influential women in her life and “the impact a women’s voice has once it is heard loud and clear.” (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Santa Monica College (SMC) student and SMC Women’s Day volunteer Brooke Harrington (cq) speaks on the experience of being a women during the Santa Monica College International Women’s Day event that took place on the SMC main campus, in front of the Library Walkway, in Santa Monica California on Thursday, March 8, 2018. The Women’s Day event welcomed all students to share inspirational stories about the inspirational women in their lives, and to celebrate the women in the SMC community. (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Wearing purple to symbolize International Women's Day 2018, students, faculty, and members of the Santa Monica College Cheer Squad gathered in front of the main campus library on Thursday, March 8. Music playing from loud speakers created a festive atmosphere, attracting a crowd of enthusiastic supporters. 

"I want this event to celebrate who we are as an international and local community at SMC. We're focusing on inspiring each other with this International Women's Day," said Ana Laura Paiva, Director of Student Assistance and organizer of the SMC International Women's Day event. Students and people on campus were encouraged to speak and share a story about the inspirational women in their life.

When asked what this day meant to her, student and Cheer Squad member Rubie Amaya-Yanez said, "Equality for all women, the beauty within everyone, and finally having that recognition that we're all beautiful, strong, intelligent, and capable."

Nancy Grass, faculty advisor for the Associated Students, said that throughout her life, the treatment of women has improved, but she still strongly believes, “We still aren’t there yet.” To her, International Women's Day is about reflecting on women who have inspired or made a difference in their lives. 

"There are many women who have inspired me," said SMC President Dr. Kathryn Jeffery while listening to speakers of the Women's Day event. "My mother has always been a motivator to me. She used to call me her wisdom child, even though i was the youngest, and it made me feel smart...I had a grandmother who was an entrepreneur...I have a number of people around me that inspire me on a daily basis who are women, and men who support women. And I just think it's important for me to be here today to support the students gathering in honor of Women's history month."

Students also stopped to write messages on a roll of purple paper to women who have inspired them, from Ke$ha to their aunts. SMC student Samuel Gomez stopped to write a note saying, "My grandma and mom inspire me to push forward and to never look back. We only get one."