By Breanna Hoffner

March is Women’s History month, and York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) is celebrating with educational bulletin boards and some month-long events. During a recent interview, college President Dr. Gunter-Smith gave some of her opinions on women’s roles in society today and where women are making strides in conjunction with Women’s History Month as well. A couple of the highlights from that interview can be found below.

Also marking the month is the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion, which is hosting a month-long event that allows students to stop by their office and participate in the creation of a “We Are Women” 1,000-piece puzzle. Those who participate are entered into a raffle to win a cell phone sanitizer.

From 1 to 3 p.m. March 27, YCP will host a women’s leadership and empowerment workshop. This event is sponsored by YCP’s Panhellenic Council and the Office of Student Activities and Orientation for Student Leadership. Also, the Campus Activities Board will hold a Women’s History Month Trivia event on March 25. In addition to these events, a bulletin board in the bottom of the Student Union showcases a few women leaders throughout York’s history.

Those include Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith: first female president of York College of Pennsylvania; Kim Bracey, former mayor of York City (2010–15); Maria Musti-Cook, first female president judge of the York County Court of Common Pleas; Florence M. Gipe, former head of nursing at York Hospital.

I sat down with Dr. G-S to discuss Women’s History Month. When asked what being the first female president meant to her, she noted that her predecessor had been in the role for 22 years. When it was mentioned that she had “pretty big shoes to fill,” she responded, “You know, I’m really not worried about that, because I wear high heels.” Dr. G-S said that she believes her position gives her an opportunity to serve as a role model for the women leaders of the future.

Gunter-Smith cited her mother, who had a doctorate and worked in administration, as her role model. Gunter-Smith recalled that her mother always wanted to be the wife of a college president but told her, “One day, you can be a president.” Eventually, that would come to pass.

As far as women’s role in society today, Dr. G-S said, “I think a woman’s role is whatever she wants it to be.”

Click on this link to access the full interview.

Breanna Hoffner is a senior majoring in Marketing and minoring in Creative Writing and Professional Writing.