In honor of Women’s History Month, the Women’s Center at the University of Missouri hosted a book fair on Wednesday, March 18. The event featured women-authored books and snacks provided by women-owned businesses, including Columbia’s own Jowin’s Kitchen. The book fair served to amplify women’s voices while bringing back the nostalgic feeling of an elementary school book fair.
The book fair ran a raffle for the chance to win women-written books from several different genres, and offered free school supplies to all participants. Additionally, the attendees were able to create and take home different crafts, like journals they could personalize and bookmarks they could design.
Mizzou senior Kristyn Schaller attended the book fair with friends. While she doesn’t frequent the Women’s Center, she does regularly attend the special events it hosts, and she participated in many elements of the book fair.
“We came in, we talked to the Daniel Boone Library, and then we entered some raffles, had some cake, which was nice, and then now we’re making journals,” Schaller said.
Boone County librarian Devon Smith was stationed at an informational table at the book fair. Smith’s goal, as she was representing the library, was to promote reading and the Boone County Library to everyone, as well as amplify the community aspect of the event.
“It’s just important to emphasize women’s issues and have a space for women to come,” Smith said.
Schaller feels that the special events at the Women’s Center, like the book fair, serve to draw more people into the Women’s Center and bring awareness to everything they have to offer, as well as promote other people’s stories and experiences.
“I also think it brings exposure to certain things,” Schaller said. “Like, I liked seeing some books that were on women’s history, women in sports, things like that instead of just for fun because I love books that are for fun, but I also think it’s important that we know about other women’s struggles.”
The Women’s Center hosts a variety of events, including weekly craft sessions and other community-building events that help foster a safe and fun place for all women at Mizzou.
