In honor of Women’s History Month the Riverland Community College diversity department is sponsoring “Mamapalooza or Extraordinarily Ordinary: Motherhood In the Face of Outdated Ideology and Unrealistic Stereotypes.” The event will be held at the Austin Campus on Tuesday, March 10 from 12:15 to 1 p.m. in the West Building, Room B101, and at the Albert Lea Campus on Wednesday, March 11 from 12:15 to 1 p.m. in the Skylight Room. This free event is open to Riverland students, employees and the general public.

“Mamapalooza or Extraordinarily Ordinary: Motherhood in the Face of Outdated Ideology and Unrealistic Stereotypes” is a scripted reading of stories collected and inspired by interviews with mothers in the Mankato area as part of academic research conducted by Lynn Kuechle regarding the experience of being a mom.

The script presents motherhood from the perspective of three generations of women; a mom whose children have grown and gone, a mom with children in school, and a brand new mother. This feminist perspective focuses on how motherhood has become filled with unrealistic stereotypes and outdated ideology. Several female Riverland employees will be reading the scripted parts as part of the presentation.

Kuechle lives in Mankato and teaches public speaking at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She obtained her master’s degree after staying home with her two children who are now in elementary school.