AACC students and staff gathered in Humanities 112 on March 31 to watch performers sing and read literature.

Professors from women’s studies, communications and English helped produce a live show of original poems, prepared speeches and songs as part of Women’s History Month.

“It’s a great time for us to connect with each other in this capacity,” communications professor Jessica Mattingly said. “So, like, hearing the work of women during Women’s History Month is really important.”

The Soapbox Sisters event has been happening at AACC for more than 15 years. Over the last three years some student performers have written their own pieces. 

The Soapbox Sisters master of ceremonies was Persephone Newcomb, a first-year student who introduced each new performer. 

First-year forensic science student Stephanie Gonzalez read an original poem called “I Am Both,” about being American and Latino. 

“At school, they say my name like it’s too heavy, too many syllables to carry,” Gonzalez read. “My Spanish spills out like music, and suddenly I’m a question mark. But in rooms filled with people who look like me, my English comes out too sharp, too practiced, too American.”

Gonzalez said she plans to inspire women by publishing her work.

While it’s unusual for music to be performed at Soapbox Sisters, first-year gender and sexuality student Mahogany Johnson sang “Endangered Species” by Dianne Reeves. 

Johnson said of the song, “It means standing strong in who you are and not falling into, I don’t want to say a victim mindset, but not falling into, like, doubt.”

This event, part of English professor Shelley DeBlasis’ curriculum, helps students put emphasis on the strides women have made in society and that’s why AACC hosts the event, Mattingly said.