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• International Women's Day Conference at IU Bloomington aims to empower women locally, globally

International Women's Day Conference at IU Bloomington aims to empower women locally, globally

• March 14, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University’s Office of International Services is hosting a one-day International Women’s Day Conference, aimed at empowering women through the lens of education, leadership development and social justice. 

The theme of the conference is “Empowering Women Locally and Globally to Positively Impact the World.” It takes place from noon to 5 p.m. March 25 at the IU School of Global and International Studies building on the IU Bloomington campus and is free and open to the public.

Registration is required and available online.

“Now, more than ever, women must connect with, support and empower each other,” IU first lady Laurie Burns McRobbie said. “The women of IU -- students, faculty, staff and alumnae -- are producing incredible work with impact extending far beyond campus borders. 

“Through research, business, arts, sciences, health, government and philanthropy, the women of IU are literally changing the world. The International Women’s Day Conference creates a space for IU women to come together, create powerful networks and take action in service of a better world. I’m proud to be involved in this year’s conference.” 

Mr. Wang will serve as the conference keynote speaker. He is the father of Yaolin Wang, an IU student who lost her life last year. The conference is sponsored in part by the Yaolin Wang Endowment, created by Wang’s family after her death. IU first lady McRobbie will serve as the closing speaker. 

The conference will feature two break-out sessions, featuring four sessions each. Speakers and topics include Morgan McMillan, assistant director of IU’s Office of Financial Literacy, discussing financial wellness; Rachel Salinas and Kelsey Mass, assistant directors of international admissions, discussing solo female travel; Elizabeth Ferrufino, director of student affairs at the Maurer School of Law, discussing Latina queer women at IU; and Lizzy Bartelt, a graduate student at IU’s Center for Sexual Health Promotion, discussing reproductive health on the global scale. 

The conference will wrap up with refreshments and an opportunity for networking.

“The Office of International Services is excited to be hosting this inaugural event focused on empowering women locally and globally,” said Christopher Viers, associate vice president for international services. “We are grateful for the support of the Wang family, the Yaolin Wang Endowment Fund, the Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council and the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs in making this important conference possible.”

The International Women’s Day Conference is sponsored by the Yaolin Wang Endowment, the IU Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council, the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and the Office of International Services.

More information, including a full list of speakers, is available online.