Art History in the Making: Three Southern Women Artists
2026-02-18 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Gail Gunter Multi-Purpose Room
Sheryl Jefferies, independent scholar and oral historian, will speak about three contemporary southern women artists, including MUW alum and Columbus native Elayne Goodman. Sheryl is a contributing author for Beyond Discards: Junk Appropriation in Global Art and editor and producer of a podcast. This event is part of the Women’s College Colloquium Speaker Series. The theme for the Spring 2026 colloquium series is “Women and the Arts,” which honors the Women’s College’s inaugural study away trip to New York City with The W’s Art Department.

The Emmett Till Generation: Youth Activism, Radical Protest, and Social Change in Jim Crow Mississippi
2026-02-19 12:00 - 13:30 | Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 198 Moss Ln, Madison, MS, United States
Dr. Daphne Chamberlain will present The Emmett Till Generation: Youth Activism, Radical Protest, and Social Change in Jim Crow South on February 19 at 12 noon at the downtown branch of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System. This presentation highlights the role of children, between the ages of 7 and 18, as leaders and participants in the Mississippi civil rights movement from 1946 to 1965. This presentation also offers a new perspective on the origins of the civil rights struggle and gives credence to how instrumental young people were to engaging in radical protest and grassroots activism in Mississippi. ​Dr. Daphne Chamberlain is a native of Columbus, Mississippi. She attended historic Tougaloo College where she completed her undergraduate studies in History, and she subsequently received her Master’s and Ph.D. in History from the University of Mississippi. Before returning to Tougaloo as a faculty member and administrator where she worked for ten years, Dr. Chamberlain taught History and African American Studies at the University of Mississippi and was also the founding Director of the COFO Civil Rights Education Center at Jackson State University. She now serves as Chief Program Officer at the Emmett Till Interpretive Center. For more information, call the CLPLS at 662-329-5300.

Juried Student Exhibition Reception & Awards Ceremony
2026-02-19 17:30 - 19:00 | Summer Hall, 1102 5th Ave N, Columbus, MS, United States

Frederick Douglass: Advocate for Equality exhibit
2026-02-24 | Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 198 Moss Ln, Madison, MS, United States
The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System (CLPLS) is hosting the exhibit Frederick Douglass: Advocate for Equality from February 3-27, 2026. This exhibition, organized by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, features an exploration of the full trajectory of Douglass’s epic life from 1818 to 1895. In this traveling exhibition, viewers can learn about Douglass’s escape from slavery, his work as an abolitionist, and his tireless fight for equality for all individuals in the Jim Crow era. This exhibition explores Douglass’s impact and his life through his own words and in photographs and documents from the Gilder Lehrman Collection. The exhibit is open to the public and available for viewing during regular operating hours Monday through Thursday 9am to 6pm, Fridays 9am to 2pm, and Saturdays 9am to 2pm.​ ​To learn more about the exhibit, visit www.gilderlehrman.org/collection/panel-exhibitions/frederick-douglass.
For more information, call the CLPLS at 662-329-5300.

New Music at the W Concert
2026-02-24 19:30 - 20:30 | Kossen Auditorium (Inside Poindexter Hall)
The W Department of Music presents New Music at the W, a recital of modern and contemporary concert music in a mesmerizing fusion of genres. This event is free and open to the public.

1884 Fellow Lessa Harvey's Feminist Book Club: Session 1
2026-02-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Friendly City Books, 1500 N 5th St, Columbus, MS, United States
But what about men? The spring sessions of 1884 Fellow Lessa Harvey’s Feminist Book Club begin with Caitlin Moran’s examination of masculinity in What About Men? Join the book club for a conversation about the ways contemporary culture influences masculinity. 1884 Fellow Lessa Harvey started this book club as part of her Nancy Yates Community Engagement internship.

Monthly budget check-in
2026-02-25 17:00 | Seminar Room B Fant Memorial Libary

How Identities Impact Academics
2026-02-26 14:00 | Gail P. Gunther Room
A panel discussion with faculty and students about how black identity shaped their academic experiences.

Books & Banter - Twilight Tandem Read
2026-03-02 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-06 16:00 - 17:00 | Gail P. Gunter Multi-Purpose Room
Join us as we sink our teeth into Twilight and Midnight Sun and experience the beloved story through both Bella’s and Edward’s perspective.

Invest Like a Girl: Jump Into the Stock Market, Reach Your Money Goals, and Build Wealth
2026-03-04 16:00 - 17:00 | Gail P. Gunter Room, Fant Memorial Library
Want to learn how to make your money go further? Join Andrew Luccasen, Professor of Economics and Finance and advisor of The W’s TVA Investment Club, for a discussion of Invest Like a Girl, a new book from Jessica Spangler. Dr. Spangler’s guide is designed to provide “the essential information and … the game plans that women need to begin investing right away and according to their unique financial profiles.” This event is the second in a two-part series on financial literacy co-sponsored by the Women’s College and the Career Services and Professional Development Center.

Special Performance by Julia Mortyakova
2026-03-04 16:00 - 17:00 | Fant Memorial Library, 1100 College St, Columbus, MS, United States
Professor and Chair of the Department of Music at The W, Julia Mortyakova will discuss how she founded the International Music by Women Festival. She will also perform songs by a female composer. This event is part of the Women’s College Colloquium Speaker Series. The theme for the Spring 2026 colloquium series is “Women and the Arts,” which honors the Women’s College’s inaugural study away trip to New York City with The W’s Art Department.

Music by Women Festival Concerts
2026-03-05 - 2026-03-07 | Kossen Auditorium (Inside Poindexter Hall)
The tenth annual international Music by Women Festival will be held March 5-7, 2026 on the campus of the Mississippi University for Women. The festival will feature concerts of new and historic music written by women composers historically as well as in the present day. Concerts will be taking place each day at 10 A.M. | 12 P.M | 3 P.M. | 5 P.M. | 8 P.M. These concerts are free and open to the public. To learn more and see the full schedule, please visit the Music by Women Festival homepage.

Women and the Arts: J. Janice Coleman, quilter and storyteller
2026-03-18 16:00 - 17:00 | Gail P. Gunter Room, Fant Library
Dr. J. Janice Coleman is a quilter, storyteller, and professor of English at Alcorn State University. Her collection of works includes a quilt inspired by Toni Morrison’s Beloved as well as one featuring a life-sized image of civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer titled Is This America? Her works, including quilts, cotton sacks, pillowcases, pincushions, tablecloths, and bottle covers, have been exhibited at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson and at the Cullis Wade Depot Gallery at Mississippi State University. To view some of Dr. Coleman’s works, visit her online museum, the Mississippi Delta Shotgun Sewn Arts Museum at https://mdssam.omeka.net. This event is part of the Women’s College Colloquium Speaker Series. The theme for the Spring 2026 colloquium series is “Women and the Arts” and honors the Women’s College’s inaugural study away trip to New York City with The W’s Art Department.

Guest Artist Recital - Ellen Elder, piano
2026-03-20 19:30 - 20:30 | Kossen Auditorium (Inside Poindexter Hall)
Please join us for an evening of lovely piano music with our special guest artist, Ellen Elder! This event is free and open to the public.

NACUSA Concert
2026-03-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Kossen Auditorium (Inside Poindexter Hall)
The W Department of Music and the Mid-South Chapter of NACUSA (National Association of Composers/USA) hosts a concert featuring new compositions. Please join us for a fun afternoon of music! This event is free and open to the public.

Film Screening: "An Asylum for Mankind"
2026-03-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Nissan Auditorium (Inside Parkinson Hall)
Mississippi University for Women presents “An Asylum for Mankind,” the second episode from the new Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution. This episode covers the period from May 1775 to July 1776. New Englanders rush to surround the British Army in Boston, but as war begins Americans find themselves sharply divided. After the Battle of Bunker’s Hill, George Washington of Virginia arrives to command the newly created Continental Army. In July 1776, the Continental Congress issues the Declaration of Independence, insisting on the people’s right to resist tyranny and govern themselves. Learn more about the episode, the key players, and critical documents at PBS. ​The entire documentary is 6 episodes total with each episode running approximately 2 hours in length. The W will show all episodes throughout 2026. ​Admission is free and open to the public.​ ​For more information, call the MUW Department of History, Political Science, and Geography at (662) 329-7390.

Meet the Author: Elise Smith
2026-03-24 12:30 - 14:00 | Gail P. Gunter Multi-Purpose Room
Meet Art Historian and Author Elise Smith, who will discuss her book Southern Women, Southern Landscapes: Cultural Reflections on the Garden, 1870-1970. All are welcome to attend, but lunch will be provided to the first 20 attendees.

Spring 2026 Recital
2026-03-24 19:30 - 20:30 | Kossen Auditorium (Inside Poindexter Hall)
The W Department of Music is proud to showcase our students’ hard work – please join us for a wonderful evening of music featuring an array of different genres. This event is free and open to the public.

1884 Fellow Lessa Harvey's Feminist Book Club: Session 2
2026-03-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Friendly City Books, 1500 N 5th St, Columbus, MS, United States
Octavia Butler’s dystopian Parable of the Sower is the feminist book club’s next spring read. Whether you are new to speculative fiction or a long-standing fan, join this discussion of Butler’s prescient novel. 1884 Fellow Lessa Harvey began this book club as part of her Nancy Yates Community Engagement internship.

Senior Composition Recital - Charles Weathersby
2026-03-26 19:30 - 20:30 | Kossen Auditorium (Inside Poindexter Hall)
Join the W Department of Music as we celebrate senior composition major, Charles Weathersby and his academic journey! This event is free and open to the public.

Music in the Library
2026-03-27 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Northwest Lobby
Enjoy FREE live performances in the Fant Memorial Library lobby, featuring MUW’s amazing Music Department!

Music in the Library
2026-03-27 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Fant Memorial Library, 1100 College St, Columbus, MS, United States
Join the W Department of Music for a musical afternoon as our talented music faculty and majors perform in Fant Memorial Library. You can take a study break, grab a book and a coffee at the library’s cafe, and enjoy some wonderful tunes with us!

Making Money Moves: Women, Wealth, and Risk-Taking with Cecilia Brooks and Andrew Luccasen
2026-04-01 16:00 - 17:00 | Gail P. Gunter Room, Fant Memorial Library
Want to learn how to make your money go further? Join Cecilia Brooks, Associate Professor of Family Science, and Andrew Luccasen, Professor of Economics and Finance and advisor of The W’s TVA Investment Club, for a discussion of Invest Like a Girl, a new book from Jessica Spangler. Dr. Spangler’s guide is designed to provide “the essential information and … the game plans that women need to begin investing right away and according to their unique financial profiles.” This event is the second in a two-part series on financial literacy co-sponsored by the Women’s College and the Career Services and Professional Development Center.

MUW Chamber Singers Spring Concert
2026-04-07 19:30 - 20:30 | Kossen Auditorium (Inside Poindexter Hall)
You are invited to join the W Chamber Singers, conducted by Dr. William Reber and Prof. Zane Lynn for their spring performance! This event is free and open to the public.

Community Read Book Talk: The Barn
2026-04-08 16:00 - 17:00 | Gail P. Gunter Multi-Purpose Room

Community Read Book Talk: The Barn
2026-04-08 16:00 - 17:00 | Fant Multipurpose Room

Juried Alumni Exhibition Reception
2026-04-09 16:30 - 18:00 | Summer Hall, 1102 5th Ave N, Columbus, MS, United States
