In an effort to discuss different global events, members of the NIU community are invited to attend the annual International Women’s Day Luncheon to celebrate both the past and present.

The luncheon, sponsored by the University Resources for Latinos, the University Resources for Women and the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Holmes Student Center’s Chandelier Room.

“Women’s Day is an international celebration that is years and years old,” said Sharon Howard, director of the University Resources for Women. “Internationally, Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8, but we celebrate it on the first Wednesday of March at NIU.”

Howard said International Women’s Day began in 1857 by women textile workers in New York who were striking over the working conditions they were forced to work in. In 1909, the first women’s day was celebrated in the United States. It wasn’t until 1977 when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization declared it an official international holiday.

“There have been three world conferences since 1977,” Howard said. “It is usually celebrated mainly at college campuses around the country and it also coincides with March being women’s history month.”

Sylvia Fuentes, director of University Resources for Latinos, said the luncheon boils down to seeing what else is going on in the world.

“I really hope that we can discuss what’s going on globally,” Fuentes said. “We need to recognize what the rest of the world is doing.”

The luncheon began at NIU about 15 years ago. This year, guest speaker Dr. Josephine Mendez-Negrete from the University of Texas, San Antonio, will speak about “Writing as Healing: Testimoniando Stories of Betrayal,” from her latest book. Past speakers have included women from Sri Lanka, Africa and Costa Rica who have spoken about women’s development internationally.

Mendez-Negrete also will speak Wednesday night in an intimate book reading at 7:30 p.m. at the Holmes Student Center’s Sky Room. A book signing, as well as a question and answer session, will follow. She also will speak Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room, along with another book signing and refreshments. Fuentes said both events are free and open to all, including men.

“People have been very excited about the luncheon,” Howard said. “As soon as we advertise it, reservations fill up fast. Right now we have 98 people attending.”

The fee for the luncheon is $7.50, which includes the lunch and the speakers.