In March 2024, Mesa Community College will commemorate Women's History Month. We invite you to participate in honoring and acknowledging the remarkable women who have made significant contributions to our lives and society.
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MESSAGE
For the first time in MCC history, the ASMCC student government has not one but two fierce Indigenous female student body presidents! Their tireless commitment to serving both students and the community merits resounding applause. Read what Women's History Month means to them below.
Niahlyn Enos
President of Red Mountain
Niahlyn Enos
President of Red Mountain
March is a momentous month for women. This is the month to celebrate the strong women who have shown their life's purpose to advocate for their fellow women. We celebrate women of our past, present, and future. For me, being an Indigenous woman is to be strong, love every living creature with your heart, care for those around you, and walk with pride because your ancestors are always with you. Many other tribes have their band of strong women who are leaders, whether it's in tribal council, US government, schools, US armed forces, or most importantly their own lives.
At our lovely campus of Mesa Community College- Red Mountain, I am a member of the ASMCC Student Government. The mission of our student government is to make our college an excitable and community-based experience and education for our students. When I came onto campus, I felt a connection. The Red Mountain campus was built to have the Desert as part of the campus landscape. I come from the Gila River Indian Community and was drawn to the mountains and creatures around me. Having this connection helps me connect with the other students around me. I am excited to learn about everyone’s backgrounds and who they are as a person. The connection built with students will provide the support that every student needs. Education is very important, and the Student Government is here to help students feel empowered and embraced by our college.
My cultural ties are my inspiration, strength, and moral compass in all aspects of my life. I am not the only indigenous woman to claim this. In indigenous culture, we view women with the highest level of respect. It's visible in my White Mountain Apache and Díne tribes. We have ceremonies that welcome young ladies into womanhood through prayer, strength tests, and honor. These ceremonies depict the phases of womanhood that an indigenous woman will experience. Women are the pride and legacy of indigenous tribes. In the Díne tribe, it is the mother's honor to teach the children of their families the language and customs. How beautiful is it to have women honored in that way?
Every tribe on Mother Earth has its women ready for change and empowerment. In all walks of media, we can see divine indigenous women:
Jenn Harper (CEO of Cheekbone Beauty)
Deb Haaland (United States Secretary of Interior)
Nicolle Gonzales (Advocate for Native Women's Cultural Births)
Lily Gladstone (Golden Globe Recipient)
Hope Peshlakai (Owner of Hope’s Frybread)
Dr. Yvette Brown-Shirley (First Native Women Sports Neurologist)
Kyauna Jacket (MCC Student Body President)
And that only names a few! We see these Indigenous women pioneer a world where Indigenous people are not represented. Every indigenous woman shows power in what she can accomplish.
I have amazing women who have passed down their wisdom to me throughout my life. The most influential are my mother, grandmothers, aunties, and cousins. My mother, Gailyn Brown, once told me, “An indigenous woman is beautiful, tender, a teacher, full of prayer, fierce and bold. But never afraid to put on work boots and get hard work done.”I have never doubted anything my mother told me. These values are instilled in me to be everything I want to be because the sky's the limit. We sit down and reassure ourselves every day that we are exactly that. We can do anything we set our minds to. Women are to be celebrated. Every woman who walks Mother Earth has a divine energy to them that is to be acknowledged. Every woman of the past, present, and future has and will grace our Mother Earth.
We, as people, want to encourage and support individuality because it would be boring to have everyone be the same. At Mesa Community College, as a whole, we motivate everyone to be themselves and share that with others, to be the voice of those who may not wish to speak, and to provide personal ideas to make our campuses a community.
Kyauna Jacket
President of Southern & Dobson
Kyauna Jacket
President of Southern & Dobson
March marks Women's History Month by recognizing the contributions of women, past and present, who have helped develop and shape this country. For me, being an indigenous woman means celebrating life and women's contributions to history, cultures, and communities. I believe it is critical that women, particularly indigenous women, continue to advocate to have their voices heard. I can't fathom how we've made all these monumental achievements, yet we're still fighting for gender equality. In many tribes, our indigenous women and young ladies have a variety of roles, including leaders, craftswomen, healers, storytellers, builders, farmers, and fighters, not just in the military but also in how we carry ourselves in today's world.
At Mesa Community College, I am part of the Student Government, where we encourage students and advocate for the student voice. We help students have a better experience on our campus. In my role, I am the first indigenous Student Body President on our campus (Southern & Dobson) to represent the community and our indigenous students. As an indigenous women leader, I connect with students and support others to embrace their background as an MCC Thunderbird because we have powerful voices.
My culture has always been a source of empowerment for me. As a young girl struggling in society, I sought relief in my culture and connected with my family and the environment around me in my Díne and Ute traditions. Indigenous women now hold many leadership positions on tribal councils, including judges, educators, lawyers, activists, college students, and professors. Every community has strong female leaders looking for change. It has been claimed that Mother Earth was the first indigenous woman. After all, as a Ute and Navajo woman, I was raised to believe she was the original life-giver. We are part of her, the stardust children of heaven and earth.
Every day, I admire the beauty of Indigenous and powerful women. Their splendor and magnificence are everywhere. I am constantly inspired by their creativity and endurance, and I am honored to be a part of this sacredness as a woman and the giver of life. Throughout history, colonization has attempted to undermine and limit feminine power. As a result of this European construct, many women have been forced to play a submissive role in their families and societies, resulting in internalized oppression and unbalanced energy.
My female role models are my Shíma (Mother) Shanito Blackhorse, grandmothers, Shimásáni, aunts, and sisters, all of whom are related by blood and heart. We must all remember the stories of our amazing women who are still with us and many who are not. They live on in our hopes and dreams, our triumphs, our creativity, and our songs and celebrations. Most importantly, they live on in our future generations of women!
EVENTS
Women's History Month Panel: Recognizing Women Who Speak Up and are Leading Change in Their Field
Women's History Month Panel: Recognizing Women Who Speak Up and are Leading Change in Their Field
March 5 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Southern Dobson Campus, BP1N
All are welcome to hear these engaging panelists speak about Women's History Month from their faith perspective.
Women's Self Defense Workshop
Women's Self Defense Workshop
March 6 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Red Mountain Campus, S-140
Black belt martial arts instructors lead participants in a self defense workshop.
Women's History Month Guest Speaker: Ms. Laesa Wright
Women's History Month Guest Speaker: Ms. Laesa Wright
March 21 | 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm | Southern & Dobson, SC 24
Ms. Wright is an educator, survivor, and thriver. Her presence demands attention and she has a POWERFUL TESTIMONY. She informed me "if I can change one life with my story, I've done my job." This is a day you will never forget.
Women Rising Workshop: What Is Love? Baby Don't Hurt Me
Women Rising Workshop: What Is Love? Baby Don't Hurt Me
March 19 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Southern & Dobson Campus, Navajo Room
Workshop on relationships, boundaries, exploring the essence of love, and cultivating the ability to reciprocate love towards others.
Women Rising is an organization that empowers students. It is a sisterhood where students unite to form long-lasting relationships supporting one another as they pursue their higher education goals. More information can be found HERE.
Self Defense Series with KBX PHX
Self Defense Series with KBX PHX
KBX is pleased to offer four one-hour sessions, designed to empower participants with essential self-defense skills and strategies.
March 20 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Southern & Dobson, West Gym
Topic: Situational awareness, boundary setting, the ABC's of self-defense, and a general overview of personal safety tips.
March 27 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Southern & Dobson, West Gym
Topic: Self defense basics, vulnerable targets, attacking tools, and realistic uses.
April 3 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Southern & Dobson, Clock Tower Lawns
Topic: De-escalation strategies, releases, and escapes.
April 10 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Southern & Dobson, Clock Tower Lawns
Topic: Empowerment strategies, advanced striking, and board breaking
Workshop: Who Helps the Helper?
Workshop: Who Helps the Helper?
March 26 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm | Southern & Dobson, LB 300
March 28 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Southern & Dobson, LB 300
What better way to round out Women’s History Month by highlighting those who make it all possible—the women. This event is a celebration of the caregivers who brighten our lives as well as a discussion about the realities of the costs of caring for others. It goes without saying that there are significant shortcomings in the ways that culture and society view caregivers. Join us for a casual gathering of like minds to discuss the ways we can connect in community as well as uplift one another as we contribute to making a shift in the global perspective of caregiving. This event is open to anyone who identifies as a caregiver.
Indigenous Women Fishbowl Event
Indigenous Women Fishbowl Event
Come and join us in celebrating and listening to the stories of Indigenous Women. This event, held in honor of Women's History Month, aims to explore the intersectional aspects of identity, womanhood, and the experience of being an Indigenous individual in contemporary society.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request accommodations or for inquiries about accessibility, contact Erick Tanchez at erick.jr. erick.tanchez.jr@mesacc.edu.
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