Women in Leadership Conference
Each year, we partner with various departments and academic colleges to host the Women In Leadership Conference to focus increasing the leadership capacity of women students and preparing them for success in the workplace. Conference presenters are alumnae, faculty, staff and local businesswomen.
Conference Details
This year's conference will take place March 3 and March 4 and the theme will be Defining Womanhood.
Merriam Webster dictionary describes womanhood as “The state of being a woman” and “the distinguishing character or qualities of woman”. But what does womanhood mean to you? What does womanhood mean for us currently?
Sessions for this year’s conference will focus on highlighting the characteristics or qualities that contribute to defining the presenters' womanhood. How do these characteristics or qualities present themselves in your life, in your work, and in your relationships? What definitions of womanhood have you learned or unlearned during your lifetime? How can we create space for expansive definitions and experiences of womanhood?
Conference Agenda
Friday, mar. 3
- Pre-Conference Time: 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
- Location: University Union, UU 349
- Conference Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Location: Science Complex
| TIME | EVENT |
|
4 to 5:15 p.m. |
Pre-Conference Resume and Networking Tips |
| 5:30 to 7 p.m. |
Check In and Opening Remarks |
| 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. |
Speed Networking with Career Center |
| 6:45 to 7 p.m. |
Closing Remarks |
Saturday, mar. 4
- Time: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Location: Science Complex
| TIME | EVENT |
| 9 to 9:30 a.m. | Check In and Continental Breakfast |
| 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. | Welcome Panel |
| 11 to 12 p.m. | Session Breakout 1 |
| 12 to 1 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1 to 2 p.m. | Session Breakout 2 |
| 2 to 2:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks and Announcements |
Session Details
Opening Panel
Room: SC 2123
Facilitator: Wahdae Elliott
Panelists: Dr. Danice Brown, April Lugo, Mackenzie Shelley, Atika Syed
Breakout Session 1
Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girl Boss: Combating Exclusionary Feminism Amongst Women in Leadership
Room: SC 2232
Presenters: Charisse Carter (she/her/hers), Residence Life Coordinator, Housing & Residence Life, Towson University. De'Jah Herndon-Johnson (she/her/hers), Residence Life Coordinator, Housing & Residence Life, Towson University. Sara Kaisler (she/her/hers), Administrative Assistant, Housing & Residence Life, Towson University. Princess Lane (she/her/hers), Residence Life Coordinator, Housing & Residence Life, Towson University. Lizzie Martin (she/her/hers), Assistant Director, Housing & Residence Life, Towson Univeristy
Description: We will open by facilitating a discussion about the word "Girl Boss," and how it's meaning and connotations have changed over time from a term of empowerment to a negative moniker. We will move into discussing what inclusive vs. exclusionary feminism can look like and close with facilitating an activity that allows attendees to explore their own barriers to fostering an inclusive environment, as well as to brainstorm tactics to address and combat instances of non-inclusive feminism. Our hope is that part of this activity will incorporate some sort of physical artifact we can provide to both the participants and the CSD following the session (for example, and art piece, a pledge, etc.)
The Cycle of Socialization
Room: SC 2230
Presenter: Carolyn J. Harris
Description: Women are born into a world of bias and prejudice, and often face hardships and obstacles from society when trying to progress. Attendees will understand the Cycle of Socialization (Harro, 1997) and the role our family, friends, institutions, and culture have played in our development. Learning and understand then creates space for us to move beyond the cycle of socialization, into the cycle of liberation!
Valuing More Than the Vessel: Learning to Thrive When My Body Was Holding Me Back
Room: SC 2125
Presenter: Elora Orazio
Description: American society has historically valued women based on their appearance. What happens when a woman’s body does not cooperate? During this presentation I will share my personal experiences making peace with several invisible disabilities, overcoming an illness that almost killed me, accepting a permanent change to my smile, and coping with mental health challenges. Attendees will be asked to match the presenter’s vulnerability while they reflect on the barriers they have faced. Together we will identify tangible self-talk strategies to help us face our pasts, presents, and futures with strength, love, and compassion. Storytelling, discussion, individual reflection, and group work will be used throughout the session to redefine the value of our womanhood away from one primarily focused on appearance.
Breakout Session 2
Identity and Intersectionality: Exploring the Many Hats We Wear
Room: SC 2125
Presenters: Natasha Rodriguez (she/her/ella) Director, Multicultural Training and Diversity Programs, UMGC
Description: This presentation will explore the multiple identities that we carry as women and analyze where those identities intersect. In doing so, we will better understand how we view the world and how the world views us. In addition, we will learn to embrace our whole selves and recognize the pieces of us that often gets suppressed.
Leverage Your College Experience to Develop Leadership Skills and Effectively Communicate Them on Your Resume
Room: SC 2232
Presenter: Renee Harris, Tanja Swain
Description: Discuss how women develop leadership skills through active participation in classes, clubs, and organizations. Learn the importance of connecting, networking, mentoring, and sharing. Why leadership is important for women and how to reflect its competitive advantage on your resume leadership is important for women.
Alborotada and Confident: Facing the barriers of being a Latina in Leadership
Room: SC 2230
Presenter: Alejandra Balcázar (she/her/ella) Latinx/e and Undocumented Students Coordinator
Description: Growing up in two countries and speaking two different languages is one of the main challenges and biggest advantages of being an immigrant Latina in the United States. Being too Latina or not Latina enough, navigating social constructs and spaces that are not designed for women of color are some of the experiences that made me become one of the many architects of intercultural bridges. Having members of the Latinx community in the workforce needs to be a practice beyond the performative, it should be a crucial aspect in hiring process and a key component in any committee.
This presentation has two goals. First, using my own experiences I want to share with my colleagues and managers some of the challenges that members of the Latinx community endure. Often times, members of the Latinx community have to go not only one but an extra two miles in order to achieve their goals. That way you all can help us open some doors to keep growing. Second, I want to tell the few Latinas in the audience that we are fighting and overcoming adversity so younger generations of Latinas can see themselves in the roles that we know we deserve. Latinas have been stereotyped as loud, hot-tempered among others. I will redefine that as positive and decisive.
Looking to register for the 2023 Women in Leadership Conference? Sign into your Involved @ TU account upon clicking the registration link below.
For questions or accommodation requests, contact us via email at DiversityWorks AT_TOWSON or by calling us at 410-704-2051.