Lehman Celebrates A Herstory Month

Featured performer Linda La speaks to Lehman students. Photo by Mariposa Fernandez

By Genesis Stanley 

At Lehman College, the Women's and Gender Studies Program held an event called Fiercely Uplifting Herstory at the campus library on Monday, March 10, 2025, to celebrate Black History and Women's History. The event was hosted by English professor Mariposa Fernandez. Featuring Linda La, a performance poet, artistic activist, trans advocate, international multidisciplinary artist, SAG-AFTRA recording artist, writer, teacher, and curator as the special guest, the event was sponsored by several Lehman College clubs, such as the Women's and Gender Studies Program, the Africana Studies Department, the Urban Male Leadership Program, the Department of English, and the Crystal Queer Club.

Fernandez hosted an open mic, which allowed students and faculty members to share their voices by reading poems that they wrote and poems from famous writers that inspired and stood out to them. She also read a beautiful and impactful poem of her own about toxic-abusive relationships in Spanish and English.

After the open mic, Linda La took the floor by sitting next to Fernandez in front of the crowd of students, where she had a transparent moment with the audience. Talking about her life as a trans woman and the experiences she went through, she shocked the room when she mentioned that she attended Lehman College and dropped out due to the treatment she was getting for her sexuality.

"I had transferred from BMCC to Lehman years ago, maybe like 2015 or 2016, and I was a few years into my transition, and this was not the campus that it is now. When I was attending here, there was no community. It was such a shift coming from BMCC where there was such diversity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ identified students, to then come here to Lehman where things felt so much more conservative," said Linda La after reading her poem "Back to School," which focuses on her experiences at Lehman. La read a few of her poems that presented powerful messages, including some that she wrote a few years prior but are still relevant today. Listening to her story and her poetry at the event inspired students who have been in her shoes or found her story relatable.

"My God, Linda La is amazing. She is a force. I love how she was able to connect with the students by sharing her own story of attending school here at Lehman and not feeling welcome. Unfortunately, I think that a lot of students have had similar experiences with some administrators and faculty, and I would like to think that it has changed completely, but I think that it is important for us to make sure that the student's needs are centered," said Fernandez.

“I really enjoyed the way she expressed herself.” — Dalila Turcios Orellana, grad student and President of the Lehman Crystal Queer Club.

Three students came up and gave gifts to La: flowers and a Women's History Month periodic table poster. La thanked everyone who showed her love and appreciation during her time at Lehman and stated that we were the best audience that she has ever had. Fernandez complimented Linda La on her strength and courage for sharing her voice and telling her story through art.

It's A HerStory Month Event centered Women's History and Black History Month through storytelling, sharing creativity, and celebrating the guest of honor, Linda La, for sharing Herstory.

"It was intentional to have this event during Women's History Month. This event has been happening for about 40 years, every year, and it commemorates Women's history and Black History Month," said Professor Ann Rice, acting director of Women and Gender Studies.