Women's History Month Opening Ceremony & Kickoff Event Recap

Publish Date: March 2, 2026

Crafton Hills College kicked off Women's History Month on Monday, March 2nd with an exciting Opening Ceremony & Kickoff Event held from 12–2pm in the Barbara L. Smith Event Center.

The event was a hit from the start, with attendees receiving sustainable "swag" including reusable utensils, bento boxes made from recycled plastic, and bookmarks that can be planted and will grow into herbs — a fitting touch for a month themed around sustainability.

The highlight of the afternoon was a captivating presentation by featured speaker Dr. Katy Wimberly, Astrophysicist at CSUSB. Dr. Wimberly shared stunning images of galaxies, insights into how scientists use space to determine age, and a closer look at the amount of debris orbiting our planet.

"The event was an overwhelming success," said Andrea Dillon, Microbiology Professor and Women's History Month event committee member. "Dr. Katy Wimberly blew everyone's mind. She captivated students, staff, and faculty. Definitely a great kick off to WHM."

This is just the beginning! Women's History Month at CHC continues throughout March with a full lineup of events, including an Artist Talk with Ebony Soy (March 10), a Women's Voices of Change & Growth faculty discussion (March 11), Daily Sustainability Challenges during Spring Break (March 16–20), an Artist Talk with Nancy Nieto (March 24), and a Mindful Movement Session (March 25). The library's book display, Blueprints for Tomorrow: Women Building Sustainable Change Through Books, is also available all month long.