Dear UMB Community,

March is Women’s History Month. At the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), we celebrate the incredible accomplishments and contributions of women throughout history and in our lives, and we honor trailblazers, innovators, and leaders who have inspired us by their examples of perseverance, courage, and brilliance.

This month, organizations like the Smithsonian are joining the celebration with initiatives such as #IfThenSheCan — The Exhibit, which features 120 3D-printed statues of contemporary women in the field of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), one of the largest-ever statue displays of women. The exhibit will be on display on and around the National Mall in Washington, D.C., through March 27. #IfThenSheCan is a movement designed to inspire middle school girls to participate in STEM.

We also celebrate the impact and accomplishments of leading women in higher education in a recent issue of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, highlighting 25 innovative and dynamic female leaders who are paving the way for others in higher education and beyond.

Women’s History Month also is about us — our communities, families, and influential women who may never be in the public spotlight or grace the headlines or front pages, but whose daily work and sacrifice build our communities and our society at large. They are our special “sheroes” and leaders. In many cases, we can say, “We are because they are.”

We affirm our commitment to support and advance the development of women, celebrate their achievements, and continue to collaborate to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse UMB.

Happy Women's History Month!

Diane Forbes Berthoud, PhD, MA
Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer and Vice President