Gender Equity March Kicks Off Women’s History Month Celebration at SBU

Women's History Month (WHM) recognizes the enduring and vital contributions women have made to society, history, and culture. At Stony Brook University, all members of the campus community are encouraged to attend, learn, reflect and participate in programs throughout March that help advance gender equity and sustainability.

WHM began as a congressionally recognized week in 1981 and became a month-long national observance in 1987, following persistent advocacy by the National Women's History Project. Stony Brook's Women's History Month Committee is committed to making it a year-round presence on campus, grounded in diversity, cultural learning, and the advancement of equity and inclusion.

One of the highlights of the monthlong celebration is the Gender Equity March and Resource Fair, held Wednesday, March 4 from noon to 2:30 pm at the Student Activities Center (SAC). The event centers the 2026 Women's History Month theme, "Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future," and highlights collective action, leadership, and community engagement.

It will begin with a keynote address by Chanel Lopez, deputy director of LGBTQ+ affairs for the New York State Executive Chamber under Governor Kathy Hochul. That will be followed by a Gender Equity March beginning at the SAC Plaza, continuing through the Academic Mall, and returning to the Student Activities Center.

Following the march, from 1pm-2:30pm in SAC Ballroom A, a resource fair will be held featuring campus departments, student organizations, and community partners, along with interactive activities and giveaways.

A special meet and greet with Chanel Lopez will precede the Gender Equity March from 10:30 am-11:30 am at the UNITI Cultural Center in the Stony Brook Union. Lopez is a Dominican Afro-Latina advocate, activist, and trailblazer from Spanish Harlem who has championed the rights of transgender and transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) communities. She is the first transgender woman appointed as NYS deputy director of LGBTQ Affairs. The event is open to faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Students, faculty, and staff from across all five of Stony Brook's health sciences schools and the Program in Public Health will explore issues of health equity, community care, and interprofessional collaboration at Health Equity and Social Justice: Building a Healthier, More Equitable Nation, on Wednesday, March 4 from 1:30 pm-5 pm at the MART Pavilion in the Stony Brook Health Sciences Center. Through a keynote address, discussions and panels, attendees will gain insight into the challenges facing Long Island and the nation, and learn how future health practitioners can help advance justice in their communities, through interprofessional collaboration. The event is hosted by HSC Student Life with support from the Center for Interprofessional Innovation.

The Center for Civic Justice is hosting a panel discussion, Her Impact: Women Driving Change, on Wednesday, March 25 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at SAC Ballroom B. Participants will learn meaningful ways that they can get involved to create impactful change in their local and global communities.

Additional events will take place throughout the month. For a full list of Women's History Month events, please visit SB Engaged.