A local chorus group shared stories of the past and celebrated the strength of women with the Augustana community. On March 26, Hersong, the Quad Cities Women’s Chorus performed in Larson Hall, looking to shape a brighter future for women.
Brooke Wilson Clemons, Director of Hersong, said the 27-year-old group’s goal was to spread information about women throughout history. They sang songs from several decades, each telling a story of the strength of women. She said many of the stories cannot be found in history books.
“It is the best time to remind or teach of the history of women and the many struggles we have,” Wilson Clemons said. “The steps and victories to defeat and sorrow. Many young women and girls are not aware that someone had to fight for what is every day to them. Everyone needs to know. We have come along way, but have a long way to go.”
She said Hersong is a group of women who are a variety of ages, and hope to use music as an expression of the sisterhood and power of all women. They also encourage social justice, world peace, cultural diversity and environmental conservation.
They don’t always sing about women’s history exclusively, but Wilson Clemons said it is important to remind people about Women’s History Month every March. It’s also important for people to understand the influence women have had on their individual lives.
“For me having a great, great grandmother that was a suffragist, I honor her by voting and telling of this victory to others,” Wilson Clemons explained. “I don’t take it for granted.”
Hersong shared the stories of several different women through the songs they chose. The group performed some traditional women’s chorus songs, such as “Stoves” and “Harriet Tubman,” both with historical references to women’s history. They also brought in contemporary music as well, though, by singing Katy Perry’s “Firework” and Lady Gaga’s “Born this Way.”
“We wanted to talk about all the struggles women have overcome in the past,” said Marsha Smith, a member of Hersong and a professor at Augustana. “But, we also wanted to look at the contemporary issues that face women today, plus celebrating the strength and community of women.”
She said an important aspect of educating people through music is to recognize communities that are often overlooked.
“We tend to recognize a lot of other holidays…but don’t think much about Women’s History Month,” Smith said. “We want to bring up awareness about that and the issues women have struggled with and currently struggled with.”
Smith explained the goal of the performance was to introduce new thoughts about women’s history, and to give an uplifted and positive message in an entertaining way.
Wilson Clemons and Smith said Hersong wants students who watched the performance to continue thinking about the issues discussed.
“We need to ask our parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles what it was like when they were younger. What has changed, was it easy or (did it) take too long? What would they like to see in their lifetime,” Wilson Clemons said.
Hersong, Quad Cities Women’s Chorus has performed several times at Augustana, and encourage other local groups to perform on campus.