As March begins and Women’s History Month takes place in the calendar, Cerritos College’s history department hosted an online event titled Refusing to be Silenced: A Tribute to Women’s Writers. This virtual presentation, organized by EOPS counselor Henrietta Hurtado and history professor Katherine Mishler, highlighted the significance of women writers throughout history and their empowering impact on readers.

The event encouraged students and faculty members to share excerpts from their favorite female authors, poets, and writers—women whose words have significantly impacted their lives and the broader literary landscape. The participants discussed the enduring influence of these women, who, despite diverse backgrounds and writing styles, all conveyed messages of empowerment, resilience, and resistance.

Highlighting Women Writers Who Overcame Hardships

Throughout the presentation, speakers reflected on many of these writers’ challenges, such as being born into poverty or enduring societal rejection. These obstacles strengthened their resolve and creativity, making their literary contributions even more powerful.

Crystal Sanchez, one of the event’s participants, read an excerpt from Rupi Kaur’s Broken English. This poem poignantly captures the immigrant experience and the importance of honoring one’s cultural identity. Kaur’s words, “Hang it up on the walls of museums next to Dali and Van Gogh,” were shared to emphasize the value of embracing one’s heritage in a foreign land.

Marco Benitez recounted J.K. Rowling’s 2008 Harvard commencement speech, highlighting Rowling’s struggles as a single mother on welfare at 25 and her journey through multiple rejections before achieving literary success. Through her story, Rowling underscored the idea that failure is not an endpoint but a crucial stepping stone: “It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all — in which case you fail by default.”

Showcasing Diverse Literary Contributions

The event also included discussions of lesser-known female voices in literature. Students Matthew Farias and Benjamin Lopez explored the works of professional manga artists like Nio Nakatani and Hiromu Arakawa. Nakatani’s works delve into LGBTQ+ themes and advocate for self-acceptance in a society where such topics are often met with hostility. Meanwhile, Arakawa, the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist, broke gender barriers by demonstrating that women could write compelling action and fantasy stories in a male-dominated industry.

Co-host Katherine Mishler emphasized the importance of including diverse perspectives in history education. She noted, “Only recently has history highlighted these voices. Recently, schools have been teaching about gender concepts and women’s experiences. There’s always room to be more inclusive.” Mishler advocated for a more comprehensive approach to history that recognizes women’s contributions as equally significant.

A Tribute to bell hooks

Henrietta Hurtado paid tribute to the late feminist author and cultural critic bell hooks, emphasizing her belief that a classroom should be “life-sustaining and mind-expanding.” Hurtado reiterated hooks’s idea that education should be a collaborative space where teachers and students work together in mutual respect and partnership.

Conclusion: Inspiring Future Generations

The event underscored the importance of Women’s History Month at Cerritos College and the role of women writers in shaping literary and cultural history. By showcasing these powerful voices, the college aims to inspire future generations to appreciate the contributions of women and continue advocating for a more inclusive and equitable representation in all facets of life. As Katherine Mishler stated, the goal is to make a lasting impact on students and emphasize the continued relevance of Women’s History Month.