As part of Penn State's celebration of National Women's History Month, several events will take place on campus during the upcoming weeks.

Audra Hixson, program coordinator for the Center for Women Students, has been planning many events this month that will focus on the achievements of women.

Hixson said this is an important time because so many formal and national holidays are focused on the achievements of men throughout history.

"My hope is to create opportunities where men and women can come together and talk about the value of women and about lived experiences of women," Hixson said.

The event series kicked off yesterday afternoon in Boucke Building with the showing of a documentary about the impact of sexual violence around the world.

Continuing the celebration, tomorrow will include a program titled "It's a Journey, Not a Destination: Women Share Their Career Paths and Related Challenges," featuring female panelists informally sharing their experiences with interested students.

The series, which is free and open to all members of the Penn State community, will conclude next week with informal discussions exploring topics such as the role of decision making in one's life and the value of volunteerism.

An exhibit featuring the contributions of women is also on display until the end of the semester in the main exhibit area of Pattee Library.

Catherine Grigor, manager of public relations and marketing for the libraries, has overseen the exhibit, which includes a collection of images of women throughout time.

"These are primarily historical photos tracing the history of women from Penn State," she said.

Grigor said the photos date back to World War II and trace the accomplishments of women since then, including current women at the university.

"The exhibit is an example of the library partnering with other parts of the university to promote whatever they're doing, while utilizing library materials," she said.

Several student organizations are also planning events to recognize National Women's History Month.

The Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, led by president Meghan Ochs, is hosting Penn State's first ever "Feminist Fair" in conjunction with many other groups, including Allies, College Democrats, Eco-Action, the Indian Student Association and Men Against Violence.

Ochs said the fair, which will be held next Wednesday in HUB Heritage Hall, will feature educational information and displays representing issues like equal pay for equal work, eating disorders, reproductive rights and working women's issues.

The various student groups will each hold discussion groups to speak about how they relate to feminism and women's issues.

"I hope people walk away from the event with a few pieces of new information, because a lot of young women take for granted what we have today and don't realize the struggles that women had in the past," Ochs said. "A lot of women still aren't aware of how far we still have to go though."

Another student group that hopes to increase awareness for the contributions of women throughout history is the Peers Helping Reaffirm, Educate and Empower.

Adviser Shanti Pepper said that the group will distribute candy and short biographical clips about women in history on March 30 in the HUB-Robeson Center.

The group also hosts regular discussions that focus on pertinent women's issues.

Emily Tarconish (freshman-English) said she thinks the work her group is doing is very important in terms of advancing women's rights.

"Everybody thinks everything's equal in America, but it's not -- there's still a lot of oppression," she said.