Ventura College has been offering presentations and meetings for women on campus to recognize Women’s History Month this March.

On March 8, Ventura College held a “Woman’s Awareness Day and Nontraditional Occupations for Women” event in the quad from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., so that students could interact with other organizations in Ventura County. The following are a few of the organizations that participated: Southern California Women for Understanding, American Association of University Women, Planned Parenthood, and Ventura County Rainbow Alliance.

“We’re here to let women know that we offer scholarships and help,” said Joan Neuhaus, chair member of the AAUW. “We help women with what they need to know and do in society in order for it to be a better place.”

The Tri-Counties Cancer Detection Center came to VC to let women know how difficult it can be to detect cancer in a breast. They even offered a fake breast that contained cancer bumps that students could touch and feel so that they could see how easily and how hard it is to find a potentially malignant lump in the breast.

“It’s important to teach women about the depth of the cancer,” said Amy Tromans, a member of the Cancer Detection Center. “There are so many levels to finding cancer in a breast, it’s important for women to go and get checked.”

The Ventura College Women’s Re-Entry Center also held an event called “The Ventura College Clothesline Project,” to recognize victims of domestic and child abuse. Students viewed shirts created by those who were either involved or knew someone who was a victim of domestic abuse.

“I think that this is something that people should be aware of whether it be a male or female,” said photography major Simone Martinez, 18. “It’s important that abuse is brought up because there are many people who experience it and go through so much pain without ever telling anyone.”

Throughout the month of March, the following lectures will be presented at Ventura College to promote Women’s History Month: “Birth Control” by Planned Parenthood, “Sexual and Dating Violence” by Lorraine Munoz, education coordinator of the Coalition to End Family Violence, and “Self- Defense for Women,” by Ventura College Professor Raeann Koerner. For more information contact Ventura College or go to their website at www.venturacollege.edu.