NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University is gearing up to celebrate Women’s History Month with a series of events aimed at empowering women and honoring their contributions. The university will kick off the festivities with a Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, March 20. Dr. Jessie Peter, senior coordinator of the event, emphasized the importance of the month, stating, “It is a time to celebrate the achievements of women across the world, reflect on the progress we have made in creating equitable spaces for women and discern the opportunities to improve.”

The Women’s Leadership Summit, themed “Inspire, Connect and Empower,” will feature a full day of activities designed to empower women to become leaders in their communities. The summit will include learning sessions, presentations, discussions, and a keynote address by Dr. Karen Kassenbaum, the Global Inclusion Lead at Hudl. Kassenbaum, who has a background in diversity recruitment and retention, will share her insights on leadership and diversity.

In addition to the summit, Northwest will also host a Self-Care Sunday event on March 24, providing students with an opportunity to relax and unwind with activities such as sand art, coloring, nail care, and guided meditation. The university will also screen the movie “Hidden Figures” on March 26, followed by a discussion panel led by students and staff.

The celebrations will continue with the Minority Men’s Organization hosting a Tribute to Women on March 28, featuring a formal dinner and a keynote address by Northwest Provost Dr. Jamie Hooyman. The event will recognize the talents and contributions of women on the Northwest campus, with awards presented in various categories.

National Women’s History Month, which began as a week-long celebration in 1981, is now observed throughout March following a declaration by the U.S. Congress in 1987. Each year, a presidential proclamation is issued to honor the achievements of American women.

For more information about the Women’s History Month activities at Northwest, those interested can contact Dr. Jessie Peter.