Celebrating contributions of women to campus

International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8, is a global celebration of the social, economic and political achievements of women and marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

MRU will host an IWD event for employees on Monday, March 10, to celebrate the incredible contributions of women at MRU and explore the diversity of disciplines, roles and areas of university life that women contribute to.

The event, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., will include speeches, dialogues, a workshop, and panel discussions. The day will open with moderated discussion between executive leaders, attendees can then choose between two sets of concurrent sessions, closing with a panel discussion with emerging women leaders on campus.

Included on the opening panel are: Shannon Pestun, vice-chair of the Board of Governors and an MRU alumna; Melanie Rogers, VP University Advancement; Dr. Chad London, provost and VP academic and moderator Dr. Elizabeth Evans, senior strategist, Aviation.

Other sessions include: Protecting Your Peace: Practical Strategies for Resilience (workshop); Women’s Leadership in Focus: Insights from MRU Scholars; Space Invaders Revisited: Gendered and Racialized Challenges in Academic Settings; Women Owning the Narrative and Voices of Today: Emerging Women Leaders Shaping Campus Culture.

At 4:15 p.m., organizers have scheduled a casual networking event for all employees on campus – including men and allies – to connect and foster ongoing opportunities for continued conversations.

“The International Women's Day event at MRU is an opportunity for folks to come together to celebrate the incredible contributions of women employees at Mount Royal,” said Alison Whiting, policy advisor in the University Secretariat and an event organizer.

“Our program showcases conversations with women executives, faculty members, MRU alumni and women employees at all levels and stages of their careers.”

Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Today, IWD is marked around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. In recent years, events at MRU have been organized by the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies.

The target audience on March 10 is MRU women employees (including staff, faculty, management and exempt). The event welcomes cis women, trans women, and folks who feel affinity with a feminine identity or experiences. Two Spirit, genderqueer, gender fluid and non-binary folks are also warmly welcome.

Attendees will benefit from inspiring conversations, actionable takeaways, strategies for meaningful change, and an opportunity to sign up for a grassroots mentorship program intended to continue these conversations beyond the day.

“Women take a leadership role across our campus,” said Evans, former dean of business and interim provost at Mount Royal. “Celebrating and encouraging women in our organization through a day like this is an important way to build community among current and future leaders.”