YORK, Pa. — A panel discussion on crime prevention and community safety will kick off Penn State York’s celebration of Women’s History Month at noon on Monday, March 21, in the Conference Center of the Main Classroom Building. Titled "Get Smart, Be Safe: Handling Violence Against Women," the lunch-and-learn panel is geared toward women but is open to everyone. A total of three lunch-and-learn panels are being offered. The celebration's culminating event will be the fourth annual Women's Fair — titled "Beauty, Brains and Body" — from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 24. All events are free and open to the public and will take place in the Conference Center on campus.
Women’s History Month at Penn State York is designed to educate the campus and the community on the unique issues that women face, said Cynthia Jones, administrative assistance in the student affairs office, and Jessica Petrie, financial aid coordinator at Penn State York. Both women are co-chairing the Women’s History Month celebration and have been involved for a number of years.
Rynn Caputo, owner of Caputo Brothers Creamery, will be the guest speaker at the second lunch-and-learn panel at noon on Tuesday, March 22. Caputo enjoyed world travel from a young age, and during one of her trips to Italy she met her future husband, Dave. While on their honeymoon, the Caputos decided to quit their jobs and move to Italy to attend culinary school, where they discovered a mutual passion for cheese. The Caputo’s love of cheese eventually led them to open their own creamery, Caputo Brothers Creamery, named after their sons, Giovanni and Matthew Caputo. Cheese samples from Caputo Brothers Creamery will be available for guests at this lunch and learn.
The final lunch-and-learn event, at noon on Wednesday, March 23, is a fitness panel. Panelists will discuss various individual fitness journeys, as well as the numerous health choices that women of all ages might consider, including personal training, sports and nutrition.
The Women’s Fair on March 24 will include artist Mel Conrad, who will be drawing free caricatures during the event, and features Carla Christopher, the fourth Poet Laureate of York, Pennsylvania, who will share some of her poetry during the event. Christopher lectures in schools and community organizations and produces events for Artists Coming Together in One Network (A.C.T.I.O.N.) and PoemSugar Press, both organizations she helped found. She is also the host of “Culture & Man,” a weekly arts showcase on White Rose Community TV, and the author of the poetry collections “Song,” “Baby, Read Me Something with Rhythm,” and “Beauty for Ashes,” and has contributed to numerous anthologies.
The fair will also bring together a variety of community and campus organizations.