Above: Her Campus Speaker Panel (L to R) Veronica Alfred, Dr. Emily Kingery, Dr. Ritu Gurung, and Dr. Sarah Eikleberry (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Parsons)

“Do you guys ever think about dying?” says Kinesiology Assistant Chair, Dr. Sarah Eikleberry, as she opens for the SAU Her Campus Speaker Panel. 

On a sunny March afternoon in the Rogalski Ballroom during Women’s History Month, three different SAU professors and one student share their compelling stories about their legacies: Dr. Eikleberry, Dr. Gurung, Dr. Kingery, and SAU senior Veronica Alfred.

During the speaker panel, many of them ask the question, “What does creating your legacy even mean?” This is the Her Campus Speaker Panel theme for this year. Each take a different approach to this prompt, but they all share some of the experiences that made them who they are.

According to their Instagram, SAU Her Campus is a media outlet for college women to write articles, host events, empower, and educate. 

 “Coming to the United States and completing my PhD in a male-dominated field was difficult, but I was able to do it with my dedication, hard-work, resilience, and perseverance,” says Chair of Chemistry Department, Dr. Ritu Gurung. 

Originally from Nepal, Dr. Gurung faced many challenges to get to where she is today. She describes the sexism she experienced growing up and how her parents gave her the opportunity to break free from that world. 

“Parents back home don’t spend money on girls or give them opportunities, but mine did. They were always supporting women, and that imprinted on me. That’s what I try to do in all of my classes on the first day by telling my story,” says Dr. Gurung. 

While Women’s History Month is celebrated in March every year, opinions are mixed on the idea. 

“It’s unfortunate that Women’s History Month is celebrated because we should be honoring women year-round. I think it’s great, but sad. It is definitely changing,” says Dr. Sarah Eikleberry. 

Above: Dr. Eikleberry sharing the story of her legacy (Photo courtesy of Kaylee Parsons)

Some students who attended the speaker panel agree with Dr. Eikleberry. “I wish we didn’t have to celebrate women’s history month. It should be an unspoken thing,” says SAU senior Elena Vallejo. 

Senior DJ Oshin agreed but says he thinks it’s good to take the time to acknowledge how incredible women are. “Growing up with a single mom, I know she deserved all the appreciation she could get. Women are so powerful and I found all the speaker’s stories very interesting.” 

Dr. Kingery says, “I think Women’s History Month is good, but there are lots of ways to celebrate women. Everyone should celebrate women by simply creating a better societal balance and treat women equally.” 

Working in a male dominated field is something that Dr. Eikleberry and Dr. Gurung have in common, but they take on this challenge confidently. “I dress boldly in a way that makes most men uncomfortable to create a bridge for students to feel open to expressing themselves,” Dr. Eikleberry proudly states. 

Her Campus organizes these events to give women a chance to share their stories. During the panel, Her Campus Chapter Correspondent and senior, Veronica Alfred, shared events from her past that have helped her create the legacy she is leaving behind at SAU.

“I think everyone creates their own legacy in their own way,” says Alfred. She says that part of her legacy is being involved in Her Campus, DAPi (Delta Alpha Pi), SAAT (Sexual Assault Awareness Team), and DEI (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion). 

“You don’t really get to decide what your legacy is although it’s something you create entirely yourself. It’s in the eye of the beholder,” adds English Professor, Dr. Kingery. 

Dr. Kingery says, at first, she was puzzled by the idea of the theme “Creating Your Legacy,” but eventually came to a conclusion of what that exactly means. “I would say a legacy depends on two things: the work you create and the way you treat people,” says Dr. Kingery. 

Many of the panel speakers touched on this theme in their talks, and Dr. Eikleberry describes a time at a conference where someone asked her, “What would be written on your tombstone?” She immediately knew what it would be, “She kept it moving,” she says confidently. 

“I’m part of a legacy of women who have dedicated their lives to one idea: keep HER moving. And for those women and their bodies, goals, and spirits, they were all defined by motion.” 

“Those folks, some femme, many queer, and some allies, have shaped my life. Without their labor I would not have the space to have pursued my education, my hobbies, as well as the jobs that led to my current career,” says Dr. Eikleberry. 

Women’s History Month is about celebrating the women who have created a legacy, but the idea of this speaker panel concludes that all women create a legacy of their own and should be celebrated every month.