Queering Pageantry — An Asian Perspective, Mount Holyoke College, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Helen Hua has had a busy year so far — she graduated from Smith with a degree in American Studies and Government and a Five College Certificate in Asian American Studies, and won the title of Miss Southcoast 2010. In this free event in Kendade 305, Hua will discuss the minority perspective, pageantry and all other aspects of life as she tries to find exactly what it means to be American.

September 30

Spa Night at Mount Holyoke College, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Bangla Club AMRA is throwing a spa night at Room 108 in the Blanchard Campus Center. There will be henna tattoos, massages, nail painting, facemasks, eyebrow threading and other relaxing activities, all priced at less than $8. The event is open to the public and the club will be selling homemade treats.

October 1

Trading Places Party at Mount Holyoke College, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The Association of Pan-African Unity is throwing its first party of the year in the Great Room of the Blanchard Campus Center. Tickets are $3 for men and $5 for women before 11:30, and $7 after 11:30.

October 3

Congresswoman Donna Edwards: “From the Hill to the Valley” at Smith College, 1:00 p.m.

Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Maryland will be talking about the issues facing our country at the Carroll Room in the Campus Center, including the upcoming mid-term elections, immigration, and healthcare reform. This thought-provoking lecture event is free.

October 4

Simone de Beauvoir: Translating The Second Sex for the Twenty-first Century at Smith College, 4:15 pm

Simone de Beauvoir first published “Le Deuxieme Sexe” in 1949, but her unabridged work has been newly translated by Constance Borde and Sheila Malovany-Chevallier in 2010. This free panel discussion in the Neilson Library Browsing Room will explore the role of women in the world today and the effect this book has had over generations.