Multicultural Programs Blog

Voter Awareness at Missouri State University

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Voting Awareness: October 17th I 2:00-3:30pm I Multicultural Resource Center (PSU 101)

The Office of Multicultural Programs & LGBTQ+ Student Services has worked months to bring Missouri State students a voter awareness event. Learn all about voting, advocacy, and become registered with PROMO and Paws to the Polls.

Who is Paws to the Polls?

Paws to the Polls is a nonpartisan grassroots campus initiative created to educate, offer voter support, and provide outreach to Missouri State University students.  The mission is for students to learn the relevance of civic engagement and how it embodies MSU’s public affairs mission.

Who is PROMO?

PROMO, Promoting Missouri, is this state’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy and lobbying non-profit organization. First starting in 1986, this organization was founded as PACE (People Aligned for Change and Equality) with the goal of making Missouri fairer. At this point in history, Bowers v. Hardwick was taking place in the US Supreme Court, a case addressing sodomy law in Georgia. Shortly after, Missouri Supreme Court quoted Bowers v. Hardwick in a court decision and made extremely disparaging comments related to the LGBTQ+ community. From that moment, it was decided by local citizens that Missouri needed a new political organization, and that was the beginning of PACE. As the LGBTQ+ equality movement grew over the years, the focus became more dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community specifically and the name was changed to PROMO.

 

Why is all of this important?

Missouri State student voting data, collected from Paws to the Polls, shows that college students have the lowest rates of voter participation in the United States. Most recent data from 2020 shows that Missouri State students had approximately 63% voting rate which is the highest it has been in several election cycles. This upcoming event is a great way to ensure Missouri State students’ values and needs are being heard in our elections.

 

voting percentage graph

Women’s Herstory Month

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In history, we view awareness months as chances to increase our familiarity with and focus on the past and present-day struggles of historically marginalized communities. 

How Women’s History Month started

Did you know, women’s history month started as women’s history week?

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the majority of women started to campaign for women’s right particularly the right to vote. People in the United States celebrate the achievement and history of women every March. In March 1978, educators in Santa Rosa, California was the first to celebrate women’s history as a means of getting much attention on the achievement and contribution of women in society. The commission came up with a history week which started on the 8th of March 1978. Other countries like Canada and Australia joined in honoring women after the 1978 celebration made a big wave.  

Themes For Previous Women’s History Month 

Each year the national women’s history alliance has a specific theme for history month. Previous themes included. “Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet” (2009), Celebrating Women in Stem (2013), and “Valiant Women of The Vote” is the theme for 2020 and 2021. The women’s history month and the theme for 2023 is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories”. 

Why Do We Celebrate Women’s History Month 

Today, we reflect on the contributions of women in U.S. history. From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth to Rosa Parks, A chronology of significant moments in women’s history dates back to the beginning of American history. 

The office of multicultural programs hosts events each year that represent the history of women over the centuries. Each school year in March, we celebrate women’s herstory month however, we don’t stop there. We include women focused events beyond throughout the school year beyond the month of March. This helps to continue the conversations and celebration of women everyday/month, not just during women’ s herstory month.

Upcoming events:

Why is LGBTQ+ History Month in October and How Can I Celebrate?

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LGBTQ+ History Month was first proposed in 1994 by Missouri teacher, Rodney Wilson, but it wasn’t until 1995 that it became a nationally observed month. While both Pride Month and LGBTQ+ History Month celebrate those who identify as LGBTQ+, the history month is dedicated to education. October was chosen because National Coming Out Day falls on October 11th. This holiday commemorates October 11th, 1987, when 500,000 people came together for March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

How Can I Celebrate?

Missouri State University’s own LGBTQ+ Student Services, as well as Melaqueer and Student Activities Council, have collaborated on events for faculty, staff, and students.

OCT. 3, 2-3:30p, Multicultural Resource Center PSU 101

Queer Person of Color Panel

Listen as Missouri State students and a faculty member share their experiences.

OCT. 4, 6-8:30p, PSU Cafeteria

Karaoke with the Queen

Come karaoke with some local drag queens!

OCT. 10, 8a-8p, Multicultural Resource Center PSU 101

Big Button Giveaway

Come check out and grab our free, handmade pronoun and flag pins!

OCT. 18, 7-8p, PSU Theater

LGBTQ+ Guest Speaker

Speaker is To Be Announced! Can you guess who it is? Here are some hints:

  • The first out transgender actor with a featured role in a Marvel film
  • He appears in the musical finale to landmark Amazon series Transparent
  • This year, he had his first lead role in Netflix’s upcoming animated show: “Dead End: Paranormal Park” where he will voice a gay, Jewish, trans teenager navigating life

OCT. 21, 6-8p, PSU Ballroom

Let’s Vogue! Drag Show

To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month coming to an end, a drag show with local queens will take place!

Educate Yourself!

Register for Safe Zone Training

 

 

Multicultural programs and LGBTQ+ services welcome new assistant director

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Shy Wells is the new assistant director for multicultural services/LGBTQ+ student services. A former student, Wells is a Springfield local. 

Wells graduated in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in social work and a minor in medical terminology and is now pursuing a master’s degree in social work online while leading a valuable campus resource. 

A shared perspective 

Wells knows what it’s like to start in a new place.  

“I was an online, two-time transfer student who was not sure if I had a place on campus,” Wells said. “It was not until I came to the Multicultural Resource Center that I discovered that I did have people around me who looked, thought and believed in the same things that I did.” 

These personal experiences are what Wells will keep with her as she serves in this position.  

A passion for advocacy

Wells has actively advocated for marginalized groups and doesn’t plan on stopping. 

In addition to previously working with teens and young adults in mental health crises, Wells has also earned certificates in trauma-informed care, ABA therapy, crisis intervention, and group therapy. 

They have extensive experience in advising LGBTQ students and families and building relationships within the Springfield community. 

Looking ahead 

Wells is working towards a future where LGBTQ+ student services are not utilized solely by students. 

“My hope for LGBTQ+ student services is to have more staff and faculty participate in our Safe Zone training,” they said. “I think we have a huge disconnect with our students who are LGBTQ+ as well as our students who are underrepresented, marginalized, or misrepresented.”  

In addition, Wells wants to continue their involvement with the university community. 

“I plan to begin more collaborations with our community to make campus more welcoming and create more allies for our students.” 

Wells wants to create more meaningful connections between LGBTQ+ student services and the student body. 

“I think one thing I wish students knew was that you do not have to identify yourself as LGBTQ+ to be an ally or show support,” Wells said. “This goes for much more than our LGBTQ+ students. This stands true for our students from nearly all backgrounds, religions, abilities, ages, and genders.” 

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