SOCORRO, N.M. – Inspiration, education, and conversation were the marquee attractions at a series of special events held the last weekend of Women’s History Month at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology  campus. WomenFest, held at NMT’s Macey Center on Friday, March 25, and Saturday, March 26, showcased Socorro County women’s organizations, business and creative ventures, and professions and contributions. It included women’s expertise and talents in topics ranging from space exploration to weaving and yoga. 

Events kicked off Friday with a panel discussion of five women with considerable expertise in climate change and its dramatic effects on New Mexico. Sponsored by the Socorro Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and moderated by research scientist Kristin Pearthree of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, “Voices of Women: Our Climate, Our Community” panelists shared research and analysis, personal reflections and perspectives, current activities, and action steps to mitigate climate-related impacts, including:

• Health impacts, such as increased respiratory symptoms from more dust in the air and heat stroke from rising temperatures;
• Water quality and quantity impacts, such as decreased stream, river, and aquifer levels, and the resulting effects on ranchers, gardeners, crops, wildlife, and livestock;
• Extreme weather impacts, such as wildfires, flooding, dust storms, and decreased snowpacks;  
• Community and equity impacts, such as the effects on the Navajo Nation and other American Indian communities and pueblos across the state who have been observing climate changes for generations; as well as on people who work outside, who are homeless, and who have health or living situations that make them especially vulnerable to heat and extreme weather. 

Panelists – Amy Lewis, Phoebe Suina, Stephanie Moraga-McHaley, Crystal Tully-Cordova, Ph.D., and Caiti Steele, Ph.D. – urged both virtual and in-person attendees to inform themselves, take personal responsibility for their own usage of natural resources and adopt more sustainable practices, and to educate and influence others in the hopes of behavior and policy change to help protect the environment. 

Other WomenFest Weekend highlights included:

• A reception for artists whose paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other artwork – prominently displayed on Macey Center’s second floor over the past month – inspired art enthusiasts to attend in the hopes of meeting one of the 30 creative and innovative women from Socorro County.
• Multiple music and dance performances Friday evening headlined by New Mexican hip-hop and spoken word performers G Precious and pan-Latin singers The Nacha Mendez Trio. Saturday afternoon had amateur singers, bands, dance troupes, and other musicians. 
• An information and vendor fair Saturday afternoon featuring women’s groups, women-run businesses, organizations that serve women, as well as demonstrations of crafts, science, and information and booths selling everything from jewelry to crystals and nail art.
• A virtual behind-the-scenes tour of the Very Large Array (VLA) from female scientists who work at the world’s premiere radio telescope for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), based on the Tech campus. Participants learned how VLA operators are keeping the radio telescope operating 24/7 in rural Socorro County, are preparing for the Next Generation Very Large Array, and are following in the footsteps of Ruby Payne Scott, the first female radio astronomer.  

Other WomenFest Weekend highlights included the Women@Work Open House, which allowed participants to visit Socorro County women at their workplaces to learn about their journey to their careers, and workshops on topics such as yoga, self-defense, career planning, and mindfulness. 

Women’s History Month continues the week of March 28 on the New Mexico Tech campus. More information is on the NMT website.