MONTCLAIR, NJ -- The Women's Center and the Women's Studies Program at Montclair State University will celebrate Women's History Month throughout March with programs highlighting health, gender, sexuality, ethnic experience, and spirituality:

Monday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 12
Beyond the Veil: The Hijab Challenge
Participants are invited to wear hijab, the Arabic term for "cover," but commonly referring to the head scarf worn by women of the Muslim faith. Hijab will be distributed on Monday, March 10 to anyone, including men. After wearing them over the next few days, participants will convene on March 12 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss their experiences "under the veil." A guest speaker will also be on hand to talk about Muslim women's issues. The event is open to Muslims and non-Muslims, and even men are encouraged to participate. (Participants also get to keep the hijab.)

Thursday, March 13 11:30 a.m. -12:45 p.m.
Women of the Cloth
Panel discussion with women spiritual leaders across faiths. A Building Bridges Interfaith Dialogue Program with participants from the Council for Faith & Spirituality, Department of Philosophy and Religion, Educational Opportunity Fund, Center for Student Involvement, Congregation Beth Hatikvah (Summit, New Jersey), Montclair State Protestant Community, Muslim Student Association and the Newman Catholic Center.

1-2:15 p.m. Strange Times in Two Lands: The Politics of Writing in Iran and Publishing in the US
Speaker Nahid Mozaffari earned a Ph.D. in history and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University. She has taught Middle Eastern history at the New School in New York and at Cabot University in Rome. She is the editor of Strange Times, My Dear, The PEN Anthology of Contemporary Iranian Literature.

8 p.m. Poetry Club Night: The Women in Our Lives
The University's award-winning poetry slam team hosts an open mic and poetry slam in honor of Women's History Month.

Friday, March 28 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Hidden Women: Rethinking Bodies and Gender
A half-day conference for teachers. Registration required. Call 973-655-7911. Sponsored by the Institute for the Humanities and the Women's Studies Program.

Monday, March 31 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Queer Studies
Featuring Sarah Chinn, Director of Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center.

7:00-9:00 p.m. I'm Every Woman
Women's recognition dinner sponsored by the NAACP Montclair State Chapter.

For a full list of Women's History Month Sponsors and for further information, visit www.montclair.edu/womenscenter and www.montclair.edu/womensstudies.

Released March 7, 2008