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Three decades ago, The President’s Commission on the Status of Women was established by former Millersville University president Dr. Joseph Caputo to promote positive empowerment and a discrimination-free climate for women. Since then, the commission has aided in a handful of initiatives to improve the University, ranging from MU’s Interim Affirmative Action Plan, to the Title IX policy, the Women’s Issues Conference, Women’s Center and women’s and gender studies minor.
As a celebration of their 30th year, the commission will host “Theodora Talks,” a TED talk inspired event focusing on the feminine perspective. Held at the Ware Center on March 8 at 6 p.m., this event features a series of speakers including University of Akron Women’s Studies professor, Dr. Kara Kvaran; MU Art History professor and Coordinator of The Women’s & Gender Studies program, Dr. Christine Filippone; Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education (EDGE) mentor and instructor, Dr. Sarah Bryant; and Racial Justice and Mindfulness Mentor, Dr. Amanda Kemp. These speakers will be discussing issues including women in STEM, feminist art and encouraging racial conversations.
“March 8 is also International Women’s Day, a global celebration since 1911 to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. We are tying the global event to the commission’s 30th anniversary on MU’s campus,” said early, middle and exceptional education professor, Dr. Jennifer Burke.
Planning for this event started in December 2018 with the goal of motivating people to consider issues that women encounter, and empowering them to make a change. By helping to create an environment where women are free from discrimination and harassment, the Women’s Commission hopes to support and advocate for gender equity.
“This is the first year the commission is hosting informational speakers for an International Women’s Day event at the Ware Center, which we hope will become a yearly community celebration,” said Burke.
For more information on the Women’s Commission, please visit: https://blogs.millersville.edu/pcsw/.
For more information on the “Theodora Talks” event, please visit: millersville.edu/iwd19
