The University of North Georgia (UNG) will host the Frida Kahlo Traveling Exhibit from March 3-7 as part of its Women's History Month celebrations. It will be on display during that week outside of the Language Lab on the fourth floor of the Martha T. Nesbitt Academic Building at UNG's Gainesville Campus, and the exhibit features five panels that are a combination of Kahlo's artwork.

UNG's Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) office and Latinx Committee will host a reception for the exhibit at noon March 3 in the Language Lab (Nesbitt room 4201).

Fatima Santillan, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in public administration and public service, serves as president of the Latino Student Association. She sees Women's History Month as a great opportunity to reflect on the work of women like Kahlo, a 20th-century Mexican painter whose art touched on the themes of women's empowerment and cultural identity, and Dolores Huerta, who has worked in women's advocacy and the farm workers movement.

"Women's History Month is a way to honor the work of so many women and the contributions they have made in trailblazing," Santillan said. "They have allowed us to follow in their footsteps and helped us make a larger path for others to walk. As a university, it's important for us to look back at those contributions and continue to climb the ladder and also put out our hands to help others up."

Shabnam Rezai, a sophomore from Hoschton, Georgia, pursuing a degree in biology, serves as Gainesville Campus vice president of the Student Government Association, president of the International Student Association, treasurer for both Black Student Union and Asian Student Association, Honors Program leadership board member, and social media chair for the College Democrats at UNG.

Rezai said Women's History Month is an important time to recognize the contributions of women both today and throughout history. She particularly thinks of women like 20th-century chemist Rosalind Franklin, who often does not receive credit for her part in helping discover DNA. Rezai said it is important for women to use their platforms to help others.

She is also inspired by the story of her mother, who came to the U.S. as a refugee from Afghanistan with one child and later had four more while serving as the "backbone" of the family.

"The opportunities I have today aren't just for me. They're for other women around the world whose voices can't be heard," Rezai said. "There are people who would die to have the opportunities we have."

Evelyn Magana, a junior from Gainesville, Georgia, is pursuing a degree in art with a digital arts concentration and a minor in digital marketing. She pointed to the often-overlooked efforts of women like Mary Anning, who, according to the National History Museum of the United Kingdom, "was a pioneering paleontologist and fossil collector" in the 19th century. Magana is also inspired by Malala Yousafzai, a modern Pakistani education equality activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

"Younger girls can look up to these women," Magana said. "It gives them that confidence that they can do anything."

UNG will also host Women's History Month Paint and Sip events for all faculty, staff and students where they can participate in a painting activity while sipping on mocktails.

Another event is StrongHER at the Rec. In a partnership with Campus Recreation and Wellness, the Dahlonega Recreation Center will be open exclusively to women on March 28 from 7-9 p.m. Staff will be on hand to show proper use of equipment. Healthy refreshments will be provided. Women are encouraged to bring a friend to exercise, socialize with and play games.

Women's History Month grew out of a weeklong celebration of women's contributions to culture, history and society organized by the school district of Sonoma, California, in 1978. Presentations were given at dozens of schools, hundreds of students participated in a "Real Woman" essay contest and a parade was held in downtown Santa Rosa.

A few years later, the idea had caught on within communities, school districts and organizations across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women's History Week.

The U.S. Congress followed suit the next year, passing a resolution establishing a national celebration. Six years later, the National Women’s History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the event to the entire month of March.

• March 3, noon, MSA/Latinx Committee Frida Kahlo Traveling Exhibit reception, Gainesville, Language Lab (Nesbitt 4201).
• March 3-7, Frida Kahlo Traveling Exhibit, Gainesville, Nesbitt fourth floor outside Language Lab.
• March 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Women's History Month tabling, Dahlonega (Hoag Student Center Patio) and Gainesville (Student Center Patio).
• March 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Women's History Month Paint and Sip, Gainesville, Robinson Ballroom B.
• March 20, 5-7 p.m., Women's History Month Paint and Sip, Dahlonega, Hoag ABC rooms.
• March 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Women's History Month Paint and Sip, Cumming, Café.
• March 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Women's History Month Paint and Sip, Oconee, Student Resource Center 522.
• March 28, StrongHER at the Rec, 7-9 p.m., Dahlonega, Recreation Center.
• March 31, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Women's History Month Paint and Sip, Blue Ridge.