(Courtesy Art)
By Sanmai Gbandi
Reporter
In honor of Women’s History Month, the of multicultural affairs department welcomes author and certified distance running coach Monisha Randolph.
Randolph will speak today about women’s health and unhealthy fashion trends in a workshop titled “Fit: The New Fabulous.” Those who attend the workshop can learn about realistic fitness goals and will also gain knowledge about online fitness sources. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be at 6 p.m. today in the Bobo Spiritual Life Center.
Randolph is the author of the book “Runner’s Revelations: How Running Changed My Walk.” She blogged throughout her training, which she then turned into the book. The book’s website states that the book allows the reader to witness her growth as an athlete, philanthropist and servant of Jesus Christ.
Randolph is also a personal trainer and running coach. She uses a holistic approach to motivate her clients to learn the different dynamics of running. Annelise Hardegree, a graduate apprentice in multicultural affairs, and planner of the event, said young women should know the difference between healthy and unattainable.
“I think it is paramount that young women be able to tell the difference between the unrealistic expectations placed on women by the media and what it means to truly be healthy,” Hardegree said. “On top of that, I think it is extremely important for young women to be able to discern between some of the health trends that are popular in today’s culture that may or may not actually be good for them.”
Hardegree said she believes that celebrating Women’s History Month is important because seeing how other women have succeeded in the past can be empowering for women today. This workshop is a part of a few events happening during the month of March to celebrate Women’s History Month. A list of the events can be found at www.baylor.edu/multicultural.
“I think it’s important to celebrate Women’s History Month because it helps raise awareness among all people of the history of how women have overcome adversity and unequal treatment in America, but it also helps empower women today,” Hardegree said. “When we look to women in the past or present that are doing great things for others and for society, it helps young women see that their goals are also achievable and that they can make a difference.”
Women’s History Month was originally a weeklong celebration of women that started on March 7, 1981. Over the years, and with petitioning by the National Women’s History Project, the week turned into the entire month of March.
