LEWISTON, Idaho – Registration is now open for the 5th annual Lewis-Clark State College Women’s Leadership Conference, which will take place virtually on March 4.
The conference, which runs 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. has the theme “Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going.” The conference is open to all individuals, regardless of sex.
The conference features speakers and breakout sessions throughout the morning, along with its annual awards. Registration for the conference is free for all students (K-12 and higher education) and $20 for everyone else. Students will need to email Amy Canfield, a history professor in the LC State Social Sciences Division, at [email protected] to receive their free registration while all others can register online.
This year’s conference is centered on how changes in society and law have provided women new opportunities in leadership, career and their lives in general. The conference will look at how women have responded to increased leadership responsibilities and how changes in education have shifted expectations and removed some barriers.
The keynote speaker for the event is Erin Agidius, who is the director of the Office of Civil Rights and Investigations at the University of Idaho. She will discuss the practice nature of Title IX legislation and how it has provided women opportunities. She will also discuss how schools have or have not implemented gender-equity in education and sport.
The opening speaker for the event is D’Lisa Penney, the principal at Lapwai Middle/Senior High School. She will discuss her experiences as a K-12 administrator and teacher on how leadership opportunities play out for girls in middle school and high school. Her talk will center on how education, specifically gender equity in education, has given her female students the tools they need to become empowered and what new lessons we can learn from this generation.
The closing speaker is Aida Rezaeik, research and development lead engineer for Danfoss Turbocor. She is from Tehran, Iran, and will discuss, from a global perspective, her experiences in Iran and earning her doctorate in mechanical engineering without a law like Title IX to help with gender inequities in education.
There will be breakout sessions during the event, including one called “13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do: Own Your Power, Channel Your Confidence, and Find Your Authentic Voice for Meaning and Joy,” a book by Amy Morin. Those planning to participate in that book club-type breakout session are asked to read the book prior to the conference. Other breakout sessions include Laughter Yoga, perform at your full potential and feed your soul, intentional leadership in our natural ecosystem, self-care and mindful self-compassion, Title IX Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, and 100-plus women who care at the confluence.
Nominations for the three awards remain open through Feb. 14. The award categories include an LC State staff/faculty member, a community member, and a Rising Women’s Leadership Award given to an LC State student who is a role model to fellow students. The three winners will be announced during the conference.
The nominations should reflect someone who:
- Exemplifies leadership in their field of expertise
- Serves as a role model and mentors
- Is respected by their peers
- Gives back to the community or their profession through their time and talent
- Advocates for positive change to help close the leadership gap and create a more equitable society for all
For LC State campus nominations, in addition to the above mentioned criteria, the nomination must address how the nominee demonstrates a commitment to the mission of Lewis-Clark State College and higher education.
Nominations should be emailed to Canfield. A committee will review the nominations and choose the winners.
The conference is made possible in part by a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council, the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
For more information on the event, visit the conference’s website or email Canfield.