University News
16th Annual Women's Issues and Leadership Conference at WIU
March 15, 2004
MACOMB, IL – Quincy University (QU) president Sr. Margaret Feldner, OSF, will be the keynote speaker for Western Illinois University's 16th annual Women’s Issues and Leadership Conference (WILC) Friday and Saturday, March 26 - 27 in the WIU University Union.
Sponsored by the Western Organization for Women and the Women's Center, conference sessions will address womenÂ’s roles currently and historically relevant to this yearÂ’s theme, "Women Inspiring Hope and Possibility for Social Justice." Friday's conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Feldner will speak at the opening session at 9 a.m. in the Union Capitol Rooms.
Feldner, the first female president of QU assumed the presidency Jan. 1. Prior to this position, she served as vice president for academic affairs and academic dean at Clarke College in Dubuque, IA. A member of the Franciscan Order of St. Francis and a sister of St. Francis of the Holy Family, Feldner has served in many administrative and instructional roles in the field of education. Feldner earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Dayton in 1994, and a master's degree in guidance and counseling with an endorsement in administration and supervision from DePaul University in 1974. She earned a B.A. from Briar Cliff College (Sioux City, IA) in 1967.
A new feature of this year’s conference is the Women of Color Seminar (WOCS), which will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 27 in the Union. According to WOCS coordinating committee chair Lisa Lyons, the featured speaker and performer for the seminar will be Reanae McNeal, an international performing artist, storyteller, vocalist and motivational speaker. A published poet and award-winning playwright, her play “Brown vs. The Board of Education” won the Regional 1994 Texas History Drama Competition. She also won the National Iowa Woman Poetry competition in 1994. McNeal will give her motivational and inspirational presentation "Beauty is Here Because I Am," at 10 a.m. in the Union Capitol Rooms.
The two-day conference will feature several concurrent sessions dealing with a variety of womenÂ’s issues and topics, according to WILC coordinating committee chair Gina Petonito. Topics include health, education, job and personal issues such as dealing with stress; cultural issues such as portrayals of women in the media; historical perspectives about women; as well as examining feminism and what it means to be a feminist in America today.
"Many of the sessions are interactive workshops that allow conference participants to learn about serious topics in a fun and engaging way," Petonito said.
On Friday, there will be table displays featuring services, activities and resources for women, as well as local women artists and women in business from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., and a 3 p.m. reception with musical and dance entertainment provided by several female students. On Saturday, there will be an awards presentation honoring women of color students, faculty and staff during the luncheon from noon to 1 p.m., and an open discussion at 3 p.m. which will bring together women of all races and nationalities to talk about issues facing students and employees of color on campus.
Cost of the two-day conference is $15 for nonstudents and $12 for students which includes lunch both days, refreshments and all conference materials. Participants may also pay a one-day registration fee of $10 (nonstudents) and $8 (students) if they are able to attend only Friday or Saturday.
"Participants do not have to be able to attend the entire conference," Petonito said. "We encourage people to attend as many sessions as their schedules will allow between classes and other commitments."
To register, send a check, payable to the Western Organization for Women, to the WomenÂ’s Center, Seal Hall 320, 1 University Circle, WIU, Macomb, IL 61455-1390. Departments and organizations also may pay for employees or students to attend by Direct Pay Authorization payable to the Women's Center.
The conference brochure and registration form is available at www.wc.wiu.edu. For more information, call the Women's Center at 309/298-2242.
Co-sponsors for this year's WILC include the Office of Associate Vice President for Student Services Earl Bracey; Feminist Action Alliance; Office of Student Activities; Higgins Hall Government; Vice President for Student Services; OASIS; the departments of foreign languages and literature, sociology and anthropology and philosophy and religious studies; the University Counseling Center; and the College of Education and Human Services.
Women's Center
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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