The UW Women’s Center invited everyone to experience what famous and powerful women, from celebrities like Rosario Dawson and journalists such as Katie Curic to politicians like Condolezza Rice and a great number of academics have to say about how media poorly portrays females in the documentary written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newson, “Miss Representation,” launched in October 2011 during Sundance Festival.

According to Missrepresentation.org, “[The documentary] exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media’s limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself.”

NEW (National Education for Women’s) Leadership Puget Sound Institute

Monday, June 20th, 2011 – Saturday, June 25th, 2011University of Washington Women’s Center
Every day, important decisions get made that have an impact on your life and future. Those decisions don’t just get made in the halls of government, they get made in your local community center, on your campus, in your neighborhood, within organizations to which you belong, and in any environment where people are working together to make things happen. Participating in civic and political activities means being a part of the decision-making process and making your voice heard. At NEW Leadership Puget Sound, you’ll get a chance to meet all kinds of women leaders who are making a difference. NEW Leadership will help you build the skills to join them.

Making Connections GraduationWednesday June 15th | 6:30PM University of Washington Club

Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of the Making Connection’s Class of 2011 and wish them well in their future endeavors!

1961 is the 50th anniversary of the literacy campaign in Cuba that eradicated illiteracy. This marked a historical turning point for women in Cuba for the advancement of women’s rights in their country and the foundation for the dynamic changes that are now occurring in Cuban society.

As part of this anniversary, the U.S. Women & Cuba Collaboration, The Literacy Project, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and the UW Women’s Center – are hosting the U.S. premiere of this film and bringing Norma Guillard, Cuban professor (also featured in the film), and Catherine Murphy, the director/producer of the film to speak about the project.More Information.

Now more than ever, people are looking for some sound financial advice. Suze Orman offered the University of Washington some in her most recent visit, March 23rd. Orman recounted tips from her latest book, in which she asks us to reconsider the American Dream, and to refashion it to our current economic circumstances so that a secure future is in our reach.Buy the Money Class Now!

The World Affairs Council, the University of Washington Women’s Center, the UW Department of Global Health, and Mercy Corps presented Humaira Awais Shahid, a human rights activist, journalist, and member of the Punjab Provincial Assembly, for a conversation on the importance of combating violence against women in Pakistan and around the globe. Despite windy weather and poor traffic conditions, nearly 100 campus and community members attended the event, a testament to the relevance and importance of Ms. Shahid’s topic. As a practitioner, Ms. Shahid also addressed empowerment of women in Pakistan and the relationship between gender and Islam. It was an honor to host such an influential woman, dedicating her life to the education and empowerment of women around the globe. For more information on Ms. Shahid, please click Here.

Throughout history, women have been building our home – creating spaces of equity, opportunity, and liberation. We’ve challenged tradition, redefined femininity, and made our mark at the University of Washington and in our communities. Built on a strong foundation of courage, empowerment and pride, we continue to strive together to establish a better future.

On March 2nd, the University of Washington Women’s Center helped celebrate and honor the women on campus who contribute diversity and empowerment to our campus and community culture. Over 130 individuals attended the event, where Professor Rachel Chapman and special guest Storme Webber shared the history and unifying nature of diversity through poignant spoken word. Other highlights included community painting on canvases labeled with inspiring words such as “home,” “tradition,” and “liberation.” The products will be on display in the Ethnic Cultural Center’s new home. The Zeta Phi Beta sorority closed the ceremony with a rousing stomp performance. Thanks to everyone who made this event possible!

Thank you to all who joined us January 14th for an unforgettable evening with human rights activist and CNN hero, Betty Makoni! Thanks to your generosity, we raised $535 for the Girl Child Network, a nonprofit organization fighting violence against women and girls in Africa. It is with your commitment to social justice that we will continue to open doors for women and girls both locally and internationally!More about Betty MakoniMore about Climb for EmpowermentMore about GCNW

A special thanks to our sponsors, the Women’s Studies Department and the Ethnic Cultural Center for use of the ECT.

The Women’s Center celebrated 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage in Washington State on Nov. 6th at the Sheraton Hotel by hosting a gala to honor 100 Washington Women who have broken barriers in various industries across the state.
The event was a huge success–thanks in large part to the sponsors, table captaints, donors, board members, honorees, and volunteers who made it possible!
We are thrilled to announce that we raised over $200,00, 100% of which will directly support the programs and services of the Women’s Center.

Lilly Ledbetter had worked for nearly 20 years at the Goodyear Tire plant in Gadsden, AL, when she discovered, through an anonymous note left in her mailbox, that her pay all those years was significantly less than that of male counterparts who were doing the same work. In 1998, Ledbetter brought suit against Goodyear for unfair labor and wage practices and won $3 million in damages. However, Goodyear appealed to the Supreme Court, which reversed the decision because she had not brought suit within six months of when the discrimination started.

On January 29, 2009, President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act with Lilly by his side to enact this vital legislation. Now, at 70, Lilly is a mother and grandmother in Jacksonville, Alabama, where she lives paycheck to paycheck with no expectation of seeing restitution from Goodyear. She continues to fight for pay equity protection for others.

“It is fitting that with the very first bill I sign — the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act — we are upholding one of this nation’s first principles: that we are all created equal …”* -President Barack Obama

Nicholas Kristof is an American journalist, author, op-ed columnist for The New York Times, and a winner of two Pulitzer Prizes for his writing on issues on human rights abuses, human trafficking, and the Darfur conflict.

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, co-authored by Kristof and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn, addresses the importance of focusing economic development around women and girls in order to effectively alleviate global poverty and extremism. Nothing has more transformative power than unleashing the potential of women… both around the world and here at home.

As Kristof and WuDunn say: “Now let’s get on with it and speed up the day when women truly hold up half the sky.”(Half the Sky, p.252)