Women in Leadership Institute to host virtual conference

The 2021 Women in Leadership Institute will hold its biennial conference virtually at 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m. on Saturday (March 13). The conference is open to Purdue faculty, staff and students, regardless of gender identity.

Registration is free but is required by today (March 8).

The Women in Leadership Institute is a conference to develop the leadership capacity of participants and to help put into context important social issues affecting women. Though the conference typically takes place in person, the planning committee has been working diligently to transition this year’s conference to an online setting while retaining its impact and educational value.

Using an interactive virtual platform called Socio, participants will engage in roundtable discussions, attend intensive workshops and build connections with other members of the community committed to centering women in leadership. Attendees can look forward to intensive workshops such as “Lifelong Beautiful Struggle: Feminist Praxis After Graduation,” “Reproductive Justice: A Movement and Call to Action” and “Elect Her,” an aspect of the conference aimed to help develop networking, communication, and self-advocacy skills for those interested in running for elected office. 

The keynote speaker will be Kimbirtive. In a culture where sexual wellness is almost an afterthought, Kimbirtive is dedicated to fostering real and open dialogue about humans’ incredible bodies, sexual health and reproductive justice. Kimbirtive will be including Black women and girls at the center of the conversation. 

The event is coordinated and hosted by the Purdue American Association of University Women with support from Civic Engagement & Leadership Development, an office within Purdue's Leadership and Professional Development Initiative. Any questions can be directed to Jesus Romero at romero28@purdue.edu.

Writer: Makenna Fitzgerald, fitzge39@purdue.edu